Djokovic, Nadal Lead Loaded Doha; ATP/WTA Week 1 Previews

Interesting this is only the 2nd time Djokovic has played Doha. Before last year, when he had his only non-final loss of 2015, Nole either ski’d or played Hopman Cup this time of year.

Hope we see Nad-Nole happen!

January 3rd, 2016 at 2:53 am

I can thoroughly understand why Novak fans love and look forward to a possible Rafa/Novak match up,Rafa has been Novaks pigeon lately,so why wouldnt they?….

January 3rd, 2016 at 5:08 am

Alison. Your choice of words leave much to be desired. Sheesh!

January 3rd, 2016 at 6:47 am

CF1, Djoko making finals snd he complete a full year of fonals reach in all tourneys play: 16 (4 Slams, 1 WTF, 8 Masters, 2 atp 500 and 1 atp 250). Don’t see any big server in his draw so his path seems pretty clear this time. Only semis thingscan get interesting if Berdy cames to play. Same for Nadal with Ferrer in semis as well.

January 3rd, 2016 at 8:19 am

Daniel: Berdych????????? He’s got as much chance of beating Nole as I have. Maybe less…;)
I think Ferrer is gonna slip down the greasy pole. Mind you I thought that last year and the year before and….
GG: Last year all the players were Nole’s pigeons, I wouldn’t cross any bridges yet.
I just hope the “kids” can make some waves. Mind you I said that last year and the year before and…:)

January 3rd, 2016 at 8:44 am

Margot yeah true,but i just mentioned that because that rivalry was the one that came up,anyway i dont believe for a minute that people would feel the same,if the shoe were on the other foot,and this is an overall generalisation,and yes i too hope for a year thats well contested,and not one where everyone else is one players puppets all the time….

January 3rd, 2016 at 8:51 am

I too believe Berdy has minimum chance, but compared to the there players in the dark, Djoko and Nadal aint losing before semis, no one is a real threat t damm. Berry and Ferre at least are top 10 (although I place them in the lower end for the end of the year). Maybe if they are on a good day and the top not, they have a chance. But the other players has less of a chance then these 2.

January 3rd, 2016 at 10:08 am

Thanks for sharing this with us we are waiting payy new season.

http://www.extremetennis2.tk/

Team

January 3rd, 2016 at 10:18 am

Something tells me that Djokovic and Ljubicic families won’t be socializing much in the future in Monaco, and they were house friends, this is what Nole said after asked (I presume in Doha) about Ljubicic decision to coach Roger, my translation:

“To be honest I am surprised…but we are professionals…I think Roger hired Ljubicic since he knows my game well and the game of all other active players too..”

http://www.rts.rs/page/sport/sr/story/38/Tenis/2161705/Đoković+iznenađen+što+Ljubičić+trenira+Federera.html

January 3rd, 2016 at 3:34 pm

Wogboy how do you translate the link so i can understand it please?….

January 3rd, 2016 at 3:53 pm

GG,
I translated it because it is in Serbian, you can do Google translation but I am wrong person to ask how, I tried few times in the past and was successful only ones, I think the others can help you better. I am just dumb when it comes to internet..not just internet..

January 3rd, 2016 at 3:58 pm

GG,

On the other note, that interview was done in Doha yesterday, it was in English so mine was translation of translation, maybe somebody have link for original interview, in english.

January 3rd, 2016 at 4:08 pm

Rafa and Nole goofing around today in with their Qatari hosts. Makeshift sand court, camels, helicopter pilot for the sheikhs…It could not be a more surreal 8 seconds of video.

https://www.facebook.com/278612362162774/videos/1145191852171483/

Thanks to a Rafa fan for the vid.

January 3rd, 2016 at 6:19 pm

http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-worried-after-friend-ivan-ljubicic-becomes-roger-federer-coach

January 3rd, 2016 at 6:31 pm

Don’t fall into the trap of journos creating controversy. Novak was asked whether it would be weird to see his good friend sitting in Roger’s box. Novak tried to dismiss the question and said that they were professional. And that he wished them both the best.
The media wants ro milk the Ivan story. Nothing to see there, in my opinion. I saw a tennis site in Spanish with the headline “Novak surprised at Ljubicic’s infidelity”… That’s a bit much. They were friends, not particularly close ones, at that.
Tomorrow Novak plays Dustin Brown, a tricky opponent when trying to shake the rust off… It will be fun. :D

January 3rd, 2016 at 6:34 pm

Ljub and Rog have been mates for a good number of years. That’s all there is to it.

January 3rd, 2016 at 7:05 pm

@Nikola,

Thanks for the link of original interview.

@Yolita,

Thanks for your opininon, though I mostly agree there is a part I disagree. In our mentality, when you befriend somebody and let him in your house for a drink, meal, watching movies, like Ljubicic family was allowed in Nole home, then you open up yoursef and talk far more (about everything) than you would ever talk with any of your colleagues. It is sort of “La famiglia” Balkan way, and they are all Balkan boys and girls. When we make friends we make friends for ever, so I am pretty sure he was taken aback when he heard that Ljubicic left Raonic for Federer and I am pretty sure they will not be watching Balkan movies together in their respective homes in Monte Carlo together anytime soon if ever.

January 3rd, 2016 at 7:25 pm

Being “friends” and being “house friends” are very different things or should I say relationships, particulary in different no that certain poster doesn’t have a clue about.

Not everybody leaves by the moto of your former prime minister “there are no friends forever, there are only interests forever”, we do make friends forever.

January 3rd, 2016 at 7:33 pm

^^^ should say:

“Being “friends” and being “house friends” are very different things or should I say relationships, particulary in the different CULTURE that certain poster doesn’t have a clue about.”

January 3rd, 2016 at 7:35 pm

Yolita,

My last two posts (7:33 and 7:35pm) are not for you.

January 3rd, 2016 at 8:10 pm

Hahah, Nole is not concerned (?!) about Ljubicic being Federer’s coach. There is nothing Ljubicic can tell or suggest to Roger that he does not know himself. I am more surprised at Moya going over to Raonic camp. It will be interesting when Milos and Rafa play. Ouch!

January 4th, 2016 at 12:48 am

Danica,

It is not about Federer, he is entitled to have who ever he wants, it is also not about any inside infotmation that Ljubicic might have (which is possible) it is about something else and I am pretty sure you know what..loyalty to friends.
This is why I like Boris Becker even more:

“Becker, the German coach of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic stated in a recent interview that he wouldn’t leave the camp of the Serbian even if other top players in the tour try to convince him to jump ship.

In a long interview with German website welt.de, Becker described himself a fair person and one that is loyal to Djokovic stating that he wouldn’t change team even if the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray try to tap him as coach.”

http://www.ibtimes.com.au/tennis-news-boris-becker-wont-coach-roger-federer-rafael-nadal-loyal-novak-djokovic-1489835

In another interview he stated that when he finishes coaching Nole you won’t see him in another players box as long as Nole is active player and I fully trust Boris words.

January 4th, 2016 at 1:45 am

Speaking of Doha: “Former singles champs in the field are Ferrer (2015), Nadal (2014), and Federer (2011,’06-05).”

Roger is, of course, not playing Doha.

January 4th, 2016 at 2:27 am

I don’t know how good friends Novak and Ivan are/were. I know that Roger is Ivan’s good friend since forever, one of the best on tour. So, it seems like he is more loyal to Roger than to his Balkan buddies, Milos and Novak. But still, there is nothing Roger can get from him regarding Novak. Nole may have been surprised at this choice, but I am also sure that the spite will be a driving force for him. WB, you know what I mean ;)

January 4th, 2016 at 3:13 am

It is a coach shift that will be discussed for a while to come. All parties say no animosity exists, only surprise Ljubicic bolted on Fed’s smmons to him, and “it’s all being handled as professionals do”.

There is a soap opera quality to this. Novak has been Milo’s mentor, practice partner, and social buddy to an extent. Now he is going to be continuing that and now will have Rafa’s idol and mentor around as Raonic’s coach and probably do some things like dinner and practices now and then with Carlos.. And Rafa not asking Moya to come to his Team, is a sign that Moya and all the Nadals agree that a desperation coaching change is not needed.

I personally thing that Nole probably believes like many players do, that coaches should not ditch players that have followed the coach and are making good progress. And Novak (and others) likely believes that no player in turn should do a Eugenie Bouchard – dump the coach that brought her to fame and endorsements and the Wimbledon finals. Bouchard is reaping what she sowed.
Generally, coach shifts follow etiquette – Lendl and Edberg say up front they are only going to be around for a limited time or coaching is done on understanding that they may not be renewed even with a good result as coach when the contract time is over, or they know and the player know when.

It is mysterious in a coach that helped Raonic make the Top 10 and having in Raonic a very smart and coachable charge would not want to stay with someone young with a long career ahead of him. A player who lives less than 1,000 meters away. Not in some glass house way off in the Alps. Who has a couple years left, max.
Maybe it came down to money – Fed just gave Ljubicic too good a deal to turn down.
Which I think would make it much more acceptable. Not all ex-players were superstars who made all the money they need back in their playing days.

January 4th, 2016 at 3:31 am

Wogboy

It resonates of the Andy and Thomas coaching exchange – obviously not totally similar, but close. All we need now is some loud gloating from the Honourable Mrs. Federer.

January 4th, 2016 at 3:48 am

Danica, I do know what you mean. They were really good friends, I remember Ivan’s interview few years back about Nole and there socializing in Monte Carlo and getting out for a lunches together as families, and how Nole , even in the restaurants, never eats anything but gluten free food and how we haven’t seen best of Nole yet, that was after Nole’s amazing 2011. Just to realize how good friends they were have a look a this video, Nole interviewing Ivan, sorry english speaking people, Nole and Ivan are communicating on mother tongue:

http://youtu.be/mG_I7bvrl6s

January 4th, 2016 at 4:17 am

CF1,

Very good analysis, I like it.

January 4th, 2016 at 4:18 am

Another person on another tennis forum had a “read” on this coach juggling I like…

” It’s obvious that Federer, who is winding down his career, wants his buddy Ljubicic to accompany him in his final years on the ATP tour as well as to bring Ljubicic into Federer’s post-tennis business plans in future.”

Ljubicic is called by Djokovic a calm person in all times, sharp, insightful and Djokovic said that Ivan would help any player as coach with all his attributes.

So that is another reason – Fed gets a no drama guy with the attributes of a successful executive that might be going to help Roger’s ventures off the court when this active player coaching ends. The RF Foundation, Rogers Team8 sports agency…

===============
As for Becker, he talked in December about how pleased he is with his coaching role with Novak, that Djokovic is a fine listener willing to accept that he may have been doing some things wrong, that Nole was receptive to life lessons off court Boris has gone through as a superstar in his day, and how Novak is owed his loyalty..(as Wog Boy said).
In remarks for Doha, Djokovic in turn said to the Peninsula Qatar that the doubters of the Nole-Boris collaboration have been proven wrong. And said of Becker:

[“He had a great relationship and communication with Marian and the rest of the team from day he joined the team,” he said.
“He’s a very wise man, he’s very smart. He knows when to communicate, what to say. He is completely understanding of me and my life, and he’s trying to help me as a person and a player as much as he can.
“I’m very grateful to have him on board as everybody else on the team and I think this kind of team has helped me to achieve such success in 2015,” ]

January 4th, 2016 at 5:18 am

Grr I cant help but get irritated whenever i see photos or videos of my favorites Rafa and Andy practising with Novak,they are much too friendly with him,they need to keep their distance and be a lot more buisness like,and try to figure out ways to beat the guy,a bit more annymosity and alot less respect might even fire both up when facing him….

January 4th, 2016 at 5:35 am

All this coach / player malarkey is simply a question of honey > bees. As long as the players are successful and in winning mode Becker Schmecker will hang around. All a question of $$$$$$.

January 4th, 2016 at 6:25 am

So Nadal doesn’t get a new coach because he doesn’t want to pay one, is that right?

January 4th, 2016 at 10:28 am

Joker needs 2 coaches for a 250 event. Lol

January 4th, 2016 at 11:32 am

@GG
I remember at the Beijing Olympics all the tennis players, except Fed, stayed in the Olympic village. Fed had kids then so that might have been a reason but I’ve no idea if they were there, but another reason might indeed be that he was deliberately keeping his distance.

January 4th, 2016 at 11:48 am

@Margot – when are we going to see you play Nole? I would pay to see that. :-)

Also, re: Fed not staying in the Olympic village (or not), he was mobbed by all the athletes anytime he went anywhere in the village so it was a good choice for him not to stay there.

January 4th, 2016 at 12:41 pm

Didn’t see a Hopman Cup thread so posting here. This is pretty funny:

Heather on Andy: “he’s quite the ladies man.” Andy: “I didn’t know that.”
https://twitter.com/Dimonator/status/684032657429282816

January 4th, 2016 at 12:44 pm

“I remember at the Beijing Olympics all the tennis players, except Fed, stayed in the Olympic village.”

Since Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Mirka would never ever let Roger stay in olympic village again, she knowa very well what happened in the village then..

January 4th, 2016 at 1:38 pm

Oh come on Wog Boy, don’t make me google this hot gossip.
Be brave….;)
RZ: just discussing this with my agent now….Think Nole may have to agree to a rather large handicap tho…..before I agree…..
Saw highlights of Andy’s match, he’s looking good and won 20/21 net points! Way to go!

January 4th, 2016 at 1:58 pm

@Margot – see if your agent can get Nole to agree to a handicap for all of his matches in 2016. :-)

January 4th, 2016 at 2:07 pm

Margot, no need too google and it is not a gossip, Mirka and Roger started their relationship in Sydney 2000 olympic village and Mirka knows very well all the dangers of staying in olympic village, she doesn’t take any risks ..;)

January 4th, 2016 at 2:09 pm

Wog Boy

Roger + Mirka is a traditional marriage ..a vow ensured by …till death us do part.OR? ….too much at stake otherwise ..and don’t forget they are both Swiss…both know the dangers of Olympic village get-togethers…Neither Take Risks…(PS: I have lived in that truly beautiful country…left more worldly wise and rather cynical).

January 4th, 2016 at 4:08 pm

JK,

Actually, Mirka is Slovakian, I even saw their girls once during the match in Roger’s box reading, what appears to be, Slovakian comic books with the nanny next to them, I presume nanny was Slovakian too.
You probably wonder how I know it was Slovakian language, Slovakian and Serbian are slavic languages and similar too, I could see the words on the front cover of the books.

January 4th, 2016 at 5:07 pm

Didn’t she grow up in and play for Switzerland where she met Roger|?

If not, she quickly learned….

January 4th, 2016 at 5:11 pm

You are are right, but I guess she wants her girls to know one more language, mother’s language and Slovakian nannies are cheaper than Swiss ones:)

January 4th, 2016 at 5:18 pm

Djoko start the year strong with a 6-2 6-2 victory breaking a decent server in Brown. Lopez lost so only Berdy (yeah right) can stop him from reaching final 16 in a row. Nadal plays tomorrow and Fed only Thursday.

January 4th, 2016 at 8:37 pm

@Wog Boy 5:07…..I think you need to change your moniker to Eagle Eye. Apparently you have excellent vision to read writing on a comic book. You must have been very close…….When I go see Rafa I hope I can get close to Rafa’s box. I might could get a selfie with Uncle Tony!! LOL

January 4th, 2016 at 11:35 pm

@J-Kath 4:08……Tell us more….this sounds very interesting! LOL

What goes on at the Olympic Village????

January 4th, 2016 at 11:41 pm

Okie,
Even better, I could see it all the way from Sydney…thanks to the cameraman who focused on Roger box and my fairly big TV screen..

January 5th, 2016 at 12:07 am

^^ ” focused and zoomed” should say

January 5th, 2016 at 12:15 am

Where art thou skeezer ?

January 5th, 2016 at 12:15 am

@Wog Boy……That’s how you did it……the cameras don’t miss a thing. One time at the French Open the cameras zoomed in on Rafa’s box and it caught his sister slapping her mother back and forth across her face. Her mom leaned over to say something to her and that is when she did the slapping thing. It looked liked she actually touched her face, but probably didn’t. I am sure it was not a hard slap but it was funny!! The cameras do a great job with the crowd hunting for cutesy things so the world can see it up close and personal.

January 5th, 2016 at 12:58 am

Olympic Village is notoriois for being like Sodoma and Gomorra. Too many tuoung athletic people together. Some athletes lnows they have no chamce at medals but the lo e the “olympics” experience. I can only imagine what will be like this year here in Rio with our atmosphere😜

January 6th, 2016 at 9:03 am