Speaking ahead of an ATP Champions circuit event in South Florida last week, Pete Sampras heralded Nole's current season as the best he's ever seen. " At least in my lifetime, the best ever ", Sampras told the Palm Beach Post. He also labeled it "one of the best achievements in all of sports." Djokovic's mental approach has been the key, the 14-time Grand Slam champion said. " I always thought Novak was a bit temperamental and would go through these lapses that would prevent him from winning majors ", Sampras said. " And now you look - he lost the first two sets against Roger and boom! He recovered within a couple of minutes. He's got a short memory now. He's progressed into this great champion. " This year Nole has a 64-3 record and has won 10 titles including three Grand Slam events. Just nine months ago, everyone was asking how anyone was going to beat Rafael Nadal. Now, witnessing one of the greatest individual seasons in tennis history, the tennis world is asking the same question about Djokovic. The Serbian star won three of this year's four majors, two in finals against his predecessor Rafael Nadal. John McEnroe also paid tribute to Nole for winning his third Grand Slam title of the season and putting together what McEnroe calls " the greatest year in the history of our sport ". " Novak has taken tennis to new heights ", said the American. Coming from McEnroe, who himself put together a 82-3 record in 1984, it is quite a statement. " Djokovic is having the greatest year in the history of our sport, there's no doubt about it", he said. "He bewildered Nadal. I've never seen Nadal look as if he doesn't know what to do – and even on clay in Rome Djokovic made him look like that. " " Wimbledon was where he separated himself and took himself to a whole new level. He beat Nadal six times in one year and, considering the year Nadal had in 2010, that's pretty hard to do. " " Just as a single season, I think Djokovic's season is the best since Laver in 1969 ", said Patrick McEnroe, the commentator and former USA Davis Cup captain. SOURCE:Novak Djokovic Official WebSite (read more)
ATP Champions Tour stars John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander have all backed Nole to win the US Open. (VIDEO) Asked who they thought would win the title, the trio confidently predicted the Serb would come out on top. McEnroe is surely the only other man on the planet who understands how Novak is feeling at the moment. In 1984, McEnroe lost just three matches in an incredible year. In another special video, the American paid tribute to Novak, and said that he was on course for the greatest season in tennis history. ENJOY!!!
Legendary Andre Agassi, a holder of 60 ATP titles, believes it’s only a matter of time before Novak takes the top position in the ATP Ranking list. “ I don’t worry for Novak,” Agassi said. “Of course, the disappointment was huge, but he surely realises he is playing better than anyone else this season and his only option is to continue in the same rhythm. His clash with Roger was one of the finest I’ve ever seen. Everyone thought Novak would win, he really looked invincible and gave away an impression he was unstoppable on his run. That is why I think he will put this defeat behind him, bounce back the right way and get back on track. ” “ Once he does that, he will be back to winning ways at big tennis events. There are two more Grand Slam tournaments before the end of the season. If I was in his place, I would start thinking ahead to Wimbledon. I think he will be even better there and hungrier for success. ” Agassi also commented on the strengths of Novak’s game. “ His return is incredible. He sometimes appears as if it’s easier for him to be on the receiving end of a serve, than to serve himself. ” The American legend believes Novak is a better player than he was, citing the Serb’s versatility and athleticism as key strengths. SOURCE:Novak Djokovic Official WebSite (read more)
Here is part of Q&A with Nole’s idol, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras, by Richard Osborn. Question: You mention Novak - talk about his performance in Melbourne. What makes him special? Pete Sampras: Great mover. He can go from defense to offense better than anyone in the game. Question: Better than Nadal? Pete Sampras: I think he does more. He hits the ball a little flatter. He hits those flat backhands and he just sort of slides and is able to get that ball deep. It’s hard to compete with Nadal when it comes to defense, but Djokovic is right there with him. He seemed very inspired down there. He had a lot of support from his homeland. And Novak is an emotional player. When he’s feeling great and is in a good mood and the crowd is pulling for him, he’s a very tough player to beat. I always felt that he’s a little bit temperamental at times, but when he has it all together, he’s right there with Roger and Nadal. Question: You were No. 1 for a record six straight years. Is he capable of getting to the top spot? Pete Sampras: I don’t know where the points stand, but sure. He started off winning the Australian and he’s going to be a threat for the rest of the year. He believes in himself a little bit more. He’s beaten Roger twice in majors. He could very well do it. He’s still got a lot of work ahead of him. Nadal’s got a tough year to defend. I wouldn’t count out Roger at all. It will be interesting to see. Novak has now arrived, and the way he played and beat Roger in straight sets, and Murray in straight sets, is pretty impressive. SOURCE:Novak Djokovic Official WebSite (read more)
Novak Djokovic crushed Radek Stepanek 6:1, 6:3, 6:3 in one hour, 46 minutes to reach the quarterfinals in New York for the third straight season. One more victory, against Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, and he’s into a first Grand Slam semifinal of 2009. " I think (the crowd) wanted a little longer match, so I’m sorry," Djokovic said. "Overall I think I played a great match, I didn’t give him any chance to get into the match. " There were ample cheers Monday. Novak revived his trademark imitations, replicating John McEnroe, and McEnroe, at Djokovic’s request, came down from the broadcast booth – in his dress pants and dress shirt – to hit with the Serb. Djokovic signed numerous autographs afterwards. " I would like to thank all the crowd for staying up late," Novak said in a courtside interview. " The US Open and New York are well known for these night matches, and it was a big privilege and pleasure for me to play. " SOURCE:Novak Djokovic Official WebSite and sjsm19 Thanks to all! (read more)
