NOVAK DJOKOVIC: The Fan Club

OK.
this makes me an official fangirl now...


From a care-free, playful and cocky joker to a cosmopolitan statesman and world number one  second year in a row.

Did I think it was going to happen back in 2006? - You betcha!

Looking back, flicking through the images that stayed with me....

RG 2006 :Nadal, you are beatable!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plbomcLe1rI

I see a young Nole crouching to receive his serve in Wimbledon 2006. The easy, relaxed face. The explosive, exciting forehand motion. Shoes falling to bits, pieces cut out to ease the pain on the blisters.
miroslavbasaric.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/djokovic.jpg

USO 2007  final. 7 set points. Robert De Niro, The imitations. The star was born and NY loved him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuBjtk1cH0s&feature=related

AO 2008. The first slam. The King is dead. The new Wilson boy swings from the hip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNlyrcsUDBw

First ATP tournament for Belgrade, Serbia, Novak wins and the sun is shining brightly.
http://novakdjokovic.com/en/album/serbia-open-2009-days-8-9/f/so_2009_07-2/#8

But life is never as straightforward as it looks in films, is it?
AO 2009. The dream dies in the heat of Melbourne a year later. The King adds salt to the wound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S93YvQiCpE&playnext=1&list=PLCC5EB2220F409724&feature=results_video

Bad news come in threes....USO 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=RPgWoOon8-w&NR=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLkZ4GMBOHM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1dvVQbBt7Q

Brutal losses to Nadal in Madrid, Hamburg and Queens finals.

Just when you think it can't get worse, it does: the racquet switch brings the most difficult year in Nole's career, the serve goes, Todd Martin is hired to revamp it and turn Novak into Pete Sampras.
It all falls flat on its face in 2010 Wimbledon semi-final loss to Berdych.

And when you are face flat on the ground you have a good think. A good scream and a good cry because....the ground never opens for you however hard you want it to.
There is only one way to get up but many different ones how you walk off.

There has always only been one way Nole walked: tall and proud.

USO 2010. Super Saturday disadvantage for Novak. 12/12 Federer half draw. Nadal completes career slam. Nole is the eternal number three now and the crowd doesn't hate the perceived dead. Nor do they love them. But Nole is happy, he is in a slam final after a long time and he carves his piece of luck with his own hands. He can hardly believe it is happening to him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mLlIwmukh4

New York love doesn't matter any more because it's flippant. The one that matters: deep, stirring, forgiving, liberating, lifts Nole out of inner darkness to Davis Cup win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw1am7cTeh4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=172IJDrsnl4&feature=related

The world still has no idea what's in store during the off-season of 2010/11. But it finds out soon:

The Year of Novak Djokovic happens: AO, Miami, Indian Wells, Dubai, Rome, Serbian Open, Madrid. UNBEATEN FOR 47 matches, excluding 2 walkovers from Tipsarevic and Fognini.

It was a beautiful dream and an unforgettable flight:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZOtvyAV_IQ

A glorious glide in the sun and blue skies.: heroic, mad, unbounded, inspiring, unbelievable, sublime, moving, unrepeatable, unspeakable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgvYTY2mZN4

I was there in that crazy dream week in and week out. A glass of red wine was saluted to Nole every Sunday.

Nadal was defeated in Madrid. The world disappeared. Surely it must have stopped for a minute.

The Streak ends in RG, but the dream continues: Nole wins Wimbledon and becomes world number one. Not bad for a boy form the country with no grass courts.
http://l.yimg.com/a/p/sp/editorial_image/bc/bc667dc12e3155575ce9a491edce441a/photo_gallery_novak_djokovic_and_his_new_wimbledon_trophy.jpg

...and that's where the memory book ends in my heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MksBC6K7664&feature=related

But the sun keeps rising in the East, and the little ball keeps flying over the net. And exciting us.

The Shot happens. USO 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWci2eSsYcQ

Laureus  Award for Sportsman of the year in 2011.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v99yhZ2nS-k


And many more things happened...and are going to happen.

Sad ones. And mad ones. And beautiful ones.

This is where the memory lane ends for now, but Nole's dream continues.









I'll be posting any interesting bits and moments about Novak here.

What are your memories of Nole?

haha how can anyone top that?!?!

You can try

I thought I could add this one, just to remind those who think Joker's gone all serious (during the exho in Bratislava yesterday):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6EBBJJ1ZP0

i've always loved this reaction by novak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lFE7z4MPdI

and this

JACI SI KURAC BRE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geyc1GVwzLU

luvsports! wrote:and this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geyc1GVwzLU

luvesports,
in case you don't understand the words above the link, they are extremely vulgar, can you edit them please.

luvsports! wrote:i've always loved this reaction by novak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lFE7z4MPdI

yes, that's a great one, a classic Nole

im just quoting what nole said, does that mean nole's vulgar?

luvsports! wrote:im just quoting what nole said, does that mean nole's vulgar?

I don't think he said that....

Nole´s imitation of players shows how good actor he could be, Sharapova could say much to that

His coordination is so impressive, that's why he is able to imitate the most amazing details.
Look at how he imitates Serena's forehand, the way he lifts his left leg just like her.

NO, Nole is not playing golf or posing in his swimmers in this thread

After his exho in Bratislava where he played Martin Klizan as well as a doubles match partnering his coach, he's hopped over to Brasil to open a tennis court in the slums Rio....and play a match against Guga...and have fun and joke around.... seriously!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij71nenhZpE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRzRxdLOYvo

Nole's schedule for the first quarter:

Exo in Abu Dhabi
Hopman Cup
AO
Davis Cup (Belgium in Belgrade)
Dubai
Indian Wells
Miami

May Nole win them all

I am very glad to hear that Nole tested and will play with a new Head racket in AO. The racket will have a smaller frame 98 sq. inch. against current 100 inch. and of course is heavier. I appreciate to see Nole plays with a better „gun“. Let us enjoy faster serves and more aggressive groundstrokes and sharper volleys. That is a real good step for another improvement. So that Morybundus has another reason for looking forward to taste something spicy in AO

paulcz wrote:I am very glad to hear that Nole tested and will play with a new Head racket in AO. The racket will have a smaller frame 98 sq. inch. against current 100 inch. and of course is heavier. I appreciate to see Nole plays with a better „gun“. Let us enjoy faster serves and more aggressive groundstrokes and sharper volleys. That is a real good step for another improvement. So that Morybundus has another reason for looking forward to taste something spicy in AO

Very interesting!

I didn't realise it was a different racquet, thought it was just a paint job. It's about time he started playing with a heavier racquet, it will make a nice difference to his forehand and serve, btw, are you sure it's not just a paint job and he's playing with the old one? Can't wait to see!
Last time he switched from Wilson to Head it was a huge Head ache

Nice to read what Tim Henman thinks about Nole's 2012:

"But I'd say, right now, beating Djokovic is the toughest challenge in tennis."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20292221

noleisthebest wrote:

paulcz wrote:I am very glad to hear that Nole tested and will play with a new Head racket in AO. The racket will have a smaller frame 98 sq. inch. against current 100 inch. and of course is heavier. I appreciate to see Nole plays with a better „gun“. Let us enjoy faster serves and more aggressive groundstrokes and sharper volleys. That is a real good step for another improvement. So that Morybundus has another reason for looking forward to taste something spicy in AO

Very interesting!

I didn't realise it was a different racquet, thought it was just a paint job. It's about time he started playing with a heavier racquet, it will make a nice difference to his forehand and serve, btw, are you sure it's not just a paint job and he's playing with the old one? Can't wait to see!
Last time he switched from Wilson to Head it was a huge Head ache

Nitb, that is pretty sure I was also disappointed by his switch to Head ache But now, it looks very good

I was wondering long time, that his serve needs something smaller and heavier and now, here it is finally.

http://www.head.com/tennis/news/?region=cz&id=2585

Headaches will appear in other heads for sure

I must say I am really excited about that change, Nole has been wanting to flatten his forehand and play more attacking for a while now, esp due to his very slim upper body, so CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!

noleisthebest wrote:I must say I am really excited about that change, Nole has been wanting to flatten his forehand and play more attacking for a while now, esp due to his very slim upper body, so CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!

So do I!!!

I remember when I switched frames from 100 to 98 and the feeling on serving and volleying was much better, therefore I am also very positive by this change. In addition Nole´s timing and hitting is excellent, therefore no worries from the smaller frame.

Iknow!

I don't know why he bothered switching from Wilson in the first place. In fact, I know, it was the money his family needed to buy that tournament from the Dutch for Serbian Open, poor Nole

noleisthebest wrote:Iknow!

I don't know why he bothered switching from Wilson in the first place. In fact, I know, it was the money his family needed to buy that tournament from the Dutch for Serbian Open, poor Nole

I remember it as well

Some time ago I also tried many rackets and Wilson rackets were worst of all for me. The Head were only a bit better, so I ended up with Völkl, but later I returned to Dunlop again.

Berd with Stepanek have switched to Head rackets recently as well. Also Murray, Simon, Gasquet play with them, so Head rackets rule in men pro tour atm.

I switched from Wilson to Babolat last week, feel like traitor

noleisthebest wrote:I switched from Wilson to Babolat last week, feel like traitor

I can imagine.

4 years ago one tennis coach recommended these Babolat rackets. Supposedly they are very comfortable for an elbow and the top frames are also playable for amateurs. My prejudice were too strong to seriously consider buying them though

paulcz wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:I switched from Wilson to Babolat last week, feel like traitor

I can imagine.

4 years ago one tennis coach recommended these Babolat rackets. Supposedly they are very comfortable for an elbow and the top frames are also playable for amateurs. My prejudice were too strong to seriously consider buying them though

Well, my Babolat matches my red Fred Perry tracksuit top and also the bicycle I ride to tennis courts It feels weird because it's new, so need to use it for a bit to break it in, like new shoes, it just does not feel part of me yet, but it's nice so far. I really should've gone and spend more time choosing one, but tried this one from someone else and it felt good. For my lowly level at least

noleisthebest wrote:

paulcz wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:I switched from Wilson to Babolat last week, feel like traitor

I can imagine.

4 years ago one tennis coach recommended these Babolat rackets. Supposedly they are very comfortable for an elbow and the top frames are also playable for amateurs. My prejudice were too strong to seriously consider buying them though

Well, my Babolat matches my red Fred Perry tracksuit top and also the bicycle I ride to tennis courts It feels weird because it's new, so need to use it for a bit to break it in, like new shoes, it just does not feel part of me yet, but it's nice so far. I really should've gone and spend more time choosing one, but tried this one from someone else and it felt good. For my lowly level at least

Nitb, I understand that colours are not less important than the equipment itself. Now I also prefer playing with comfortable rackest to heavier ones. The joy of tennis is only on the first place, for sure

Oh dear!
Just as I kind of managed to convince myself that it's ok it's about 6 months before summer and everything will be all right as it won't be frosty next week so I may be able to play, I stumbled upon the news where Nole is on the Necker Island playing tennis on grass, on sand (not clay, sand!!! over a volleyball net), with Branson massaging him between the points...yes, and all that's for "charity", and to make it legit, Mac, Haas and Philipussis are there as well...
Well I'm glad he's enjoying himself

Nole has been working very hard during this off-season....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByjViied9l4

noleisthebest wrote:Nole has been working very hard during this off-season....

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByjViied9l4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByjViied9l4[/quote[/url]]

I hope Nole has not overtrained

I know.....I wouldn't mind overtraining like that ....

Highlights from today's match against Ferrer (6:0 6:3)

Nole looking better than ever, and it's his first match since the break.
LUUUUUUUV-LY!!!!!!!

http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/video_audio/185672.html


Ferrer finally comes to senses and admits that Nole is the best. Same as Fed did after being beaten in O2 in November....ah, well.....better late than never!

noleisthebest wrote:Highlights from today's match against Ferrer (6:0 6:3)

Nole looking better than ever, and it's his first match since the break.
LUUUUUUUV-LY!!!!!!!

http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/video_audio/185672.html


Ferrer finally comes to senses and admits that Nole is the best. Same as Fed did after being beaten in O2 in November....ah, well.....better late than never!

Feru understood well that he had had no chance to go through Nole. The credit also for Feru how he coped with it in his speech. Yes Nitb, Nole looking better than ever, exactly. Even Nole´s chops looks better, some were excellent. He looks really well

Yes, I believe Nole's 2013 is going to be his best year ever

noleisthebest wrote:Yes, I believe Nole's 2013 is going to be his best year ever

I do think as well. He needs to stay just hungry and aggressive. Everything else he can leave to horses

He really played like a cat with a mouse today. I have not seen any similar match with Ferru like that. Excellent BH and really improved FH, the great feeling from both wings and for volleys, further improvement in the transition to the net

Feru is not a kind of a player who does not play these matches at 100%. I am just smiling to watch Nole to play like this

Nole wins in Abu Dhabi final beating an excellent Almagro in three sets, from a set down (TB)
Hopman Cup with Ana Ivanovic next.

He looks ready
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ix2_FDafu-w

noleisthebest wrote:Nole wins in Abu Dhabi final beating an excellent Almagro in three sets, from a set down (TB)
Hopman Cup with Ana Ivanovic next.

He looks ready
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ix2_FDafu-w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ix2_FDafu-w[/quote[/url]]

Very good start for Nole

Almagro´s SHBH is excellent shot, he has a potential to move up at ranking.

Nole's Down Under probably having donkey cheese for breakfast, still some of us in the Northern hemisphere are just about to have the Happy New Year moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01AnDuDZhM

Here's to a Memorable 2013, may it be Nole's best one yet

GO NOLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish Nole to have another great year in his carrier, being healthy and to give us many nice moments not only from sport side.

Nole, come on!

.

noleisthebest wrote:

paulcz wrote:not only from sport side.

Nole, come on!

here's a list of some of his moments (not the best ones, but will have to do for now )

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BevUg_Eij6U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BevUg_Eij6U[/quote[/url]]

Just a special one, Nole

My personal favourite (at 1min 28 sec)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sapjCb3jidk

Never a dull moment with Nole around

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx69xsmRkwo&feature=player_embedded

noleisthebest wrote:Never a dull moment with Nole around

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx69xsmRkwo&feature=player_embedded

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx69xsmRkwo&feature=player_embedded[/quote[/url]]



Yes, but not sure if Ana did not lose her concentration due to Nole though. The clowning on court can be pretty contra productive and especially when playing with Ana.

TBH Paul, I think they are both terrible doubles players. Obviously not used to sharing the court and thinking "in doubles".
I think Nole clowned just to relax Ana who is an utter bag of nerves, as her erratic serving proved to be unsettling for her again today.

noleisthebest wrote:TBH Paul, I think they are both terrible doubles players. Obviously not used to sharing the court and thinking "in doubles".
I think Nole clowned just to relax Ana who is an utter bag of nerves, as her erratic serving proved to be unsettling for her again today.

That is right. I do not know what Ana did that she lost with Medina, she was in her memories somewhere outside of the court, probably on the beach. After she lost it, I would not bet a penny on them in the mix. It is a pity, the Spanish couple was playable. When Nole plays as the champion, it is not effective. If he wants to win AO, he must play as an animal and not with a playful approach.

One Czech footbal coach pushed his players to eat a tartar steak before their matches. Nole shoud taste at least carpaccio sometimes. Or rather no tasting, but a big portion of tartars. And if Nole plays Hopman cup next year with Ana, then he should be on the tartar diet It is not easy to play the double mix with Ana anyway.

Who says Nole has no fans?

Cheesy but cute....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P0-DxStPQWk#!

Nole started his historic quest for 3rd successive AO title in style today, beating HPM 3:0
Post match interview:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2013-01-14/201301141358144957764.html

Very good start for Nole I saw just only couple of balls, but it seemed to be that his new racket added an addiotional sharpness as he mentioned in his inteview. Very glad to see it. Come on Nole!!!

Well, that was some sizzling performance from Nole The Best
I don't know what was better, but the serve was beautiful and so was the forehand, bursting with confidence, Nole really happy with his performance, as he should be. Very sharp.
Good at the net, playful, made Harrison look like a ball machine.

BRAVO NOLE!!!!!

Baby Nole in his first ever match at the AO, 2005
Lost to the eventual champion, Safin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f0vAKePWLJg#!