He dreamt of being the ‘number one in the world’ when he was four. 18 years on, Novak Djokovic is on his way up there. Currently ranked 
4th, he’s been Roger Federer’s nemesis (he beat him twice this season before Federer beat him in the finals at the Cincinnati Masters) and that makes him a top contender for the US Open this year. In an exclusive interview with TSI, Djokovic reflects on serve-and-volley, impersonations and facing Federer.
You’ve been one of the few to have successfully derailed the ‘Fed Express’ last year. What exactly does it take to do that?
Roger is one of the best players ever to play the game, if not the best ever, so it takes more than the 100 per cent to be able to defeat him. It is always an honour to play against him and to defeat him is something very special.
What, according to you, is the way to tackle Federer?
Play at your best and in my case with the first serve going in at a high percentage.
Close to Wimbledon you felt that you were physically and mentally in just the right direction. What do you think went wrong?
This is a very good question but I don’t think I have the answer. I am still young and I need to learn and improve. Maybe that’s the answer. I am working with my team to do so.
Previously, there were many serve-and-volley players, but only a very few are around now…
Tennis is faster now and players can pass you on the net so maybe that’s why there are less serve-and-volley players. Also the surface and balls are quite different and slower.
Before going in for a match, how do you mentally prepare yourself? What is it that you tell yourself before stepping on the court?
I try to stay focussed and concentrate in the locker with my coach. I only think about the match and what I need to do to go out there and win.
After a loss, do you watch the videos or contemplate what went wrong? How much does a loss affect you mentally?
Sometimes I do, but it is not a usual thing for me to do so.
Which tennis player do you find the toughest to play against?
The names are obvious. The top guys like Nadal, Federer, Murray and lately Del Potro are the ones playing better tennis.
Winning the Australian Open or defeating Roger Federer – which was the bigger achievement?
Both were difficult but with all my respects it is more difficult to win the Grand Slam since in any case you still have to beat Roger and also whoever else is in the final rounds.
You started playing tennis since the age of four. Did you always aspire to be a tennis champion?
Yes, it has always been my goal and my dream.
You’re known for your off-court impersonations of fellow players. Who do you enjoy impersonating the most? Who among fellow-players is your best buddy?
I have really stopped doing it. My best buddies are the players who speak my language. These are the Serbian and the Croatian players.
Do you follow the women’s tournaments? Who is your favourite player?
Sometimes I do, especially when we are at the same event. I follow players from my country Ana (Ivanovic) and Jelena (Jankovic).
What impact have tennis players from the Balkans, Slobodan Zivojinovic and Goran Ivanisevic had on your career?
In the case of Goran Ivanisevic it has been more since I had the chance to see him a lot on TV. Great player, and a great person too.
How do you react to players from Croatia on the tour? You were born into a time of strife. How has life changed back home in Belgrade?
We get along very well. They are among my best friends and we spend time together at tournaments. Life in Belgrade is great although I spend most of my time at tournaments and in Monte Carlo where I live.
When small countries like Serbia and Croatia produce such great tennis players, what do you think India needs do to produce top-ranking players in tennis?
The competition in one’s own country is important. I think that is one of the keys, together with good coaches for young kids.
You were the youngest ever to reach semis of all four Grand Slams and you also won the Bronze at the 2008 Olympics. Are you eyeing the Golden Slam?
For me to win Grand Slams and to be number 1 is a goal that I have always had. I am working hard on it.
4th, he’s been Roger Federer’s nemesis (he beat him twice this season before Federer beat him in the finals at the Cincinnati Masters) and that makes him a top contender for the US Open this year. In an exclusive interview with TSI, Djokovic reflects on serve-and-volley, impersonations and facing Federer.You’ve been one of the few to have successfully derailed the ‘Fed Express’ last year. What exactly does it take to do that?
Roger is one of the best players ever to play the game, if not the best ever, so it takes more than the 100 per cent to be able to defeat him. It is always an honour to play against him and to defeat him is something very special.
What, according to you, is the way to tackle Federer?
Play at your best and in my case with the first serve going in at a high percentage.
Close to Wimbledon you felt that you were physically and mentally in just the right direction. What do you think went wrong?
This is a very good question but I don’t think I have the answer. I am still young and I need to learn and improve. Maybe that’s the answer. I am working with my team to do so.
Previously, there were many serve-and-volley players, but only a very few are around now…
Tennis is faster now and players can pass you on the net so maybe that’s why there are less serve-and-volley players. Also the surface and balls are quite different and slower.
Before going in for a match, how do you mentally prepare yourself? What is it that you tell yourself before stepping on the court?
I try to stay focussed and concentrate in the locker with my coach. I only think about the match and what I need to do to go out there and win.
After a loss, do you watch the videos or contemplate what went wrong? How much does a loss affect you mentally?
Sometimes I do, but it is not a usual thing for me to do so.
Which tennis player do you find the toughest to play against?
The names are obvious. The top guys like Nadal, Federer, Murray and lately Del Potro are the ones playing better tennis.
Winning the Australian Open or defeating Roger Federer – which was the bigger achievement?
Both were difficult but with all my respects it is more difficult to win the Grand Slam since in any case you still have to beat Roger and also whoever else is in the final rounds.
You started playing tennis since the age of four. Did you always aspire to be a tennis champion?
Yes, it has always been my goal and my dream.
You’re known for your off-court impersonations of fellow players. Who do you enjoy impersonating the most? Who among fellow-players is your best buddy?
I have really stopped doing it. My best buddies are the players who speak my language. These are the Serbian and the Croatian players.
Do you follow the women’s tournaments? Who is your favourite player?
Sometimes I do, especially when we are at the same event. I follow players from my country Ana (Ivanovic) and Jelena (Jankovic).
What impact have tennis players from the Balkans, Slobodan Zivojinovic and Goran Ivanisevic had on your career?
In the case of Goran Ivanisevic it has been more since I had the chance to see him a lot on TV. Great player, and a great person too.
How do you react to players from Croatia on the tour? You were born into a time of strife. How has life changed back home in Belgrade?
We get along very well. They are among my best friends and we spend time together at tournaments. Life in Belgrade is great although I spend most of my time at tournaments and in Monte Carlo where I live.
When small countries like Serbia and Croatia produce such great tennis players, what do you think India needs do to produce top-ranking players in tennis?
The competition in one’s own country is important. I think that is one of the keys, together with good coaches for young kids.
You were the youngest ever to reach semis of all four Grand Slams and you also won the Bronze at the 2008 Olympics. Are you eyeing the Golden Slam?
For me to win Grand Slams and to be number 1 is a goal that I have always had. I am working hard on it.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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