Post by Caslav Klonimirovic on Jan 26, 2009 22:01:09 GMT -5
www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24956744-3162,00.html
A SERBIAN connection has ignited a bond between Novak Djokovic and Australian wonder boy Bernard Tomic.
Djokovic watched some of Tomic's match against Gilles Muller on Wednesday night, and offered the teenager some words of advice before his first round match against Italian Potito Starace.
"A little bit I watched," Djokovic said.
"We speak the same language because he comes from our region.
"He's a nice guy and his father is good.
"I was amazed, for his age, how far he went. He has a very bright future in front of him. To play on centre court, it's a unique experience so you can take the best out of it.
"He just needs to be positive and he has still a lot of time. Sooner or later he will come to the situation to play on Rod Laver so it was good.
"We talked yeah, a little bit about his opponent and the whole ambience in Rod Laver Arena.
"But you cannot describe it with words until you actually come and step on the court and see what the night session is."
Tomic said he relished the chance to mingle with the best and had received warm welcomes from other players.
"Novak said a few words before I played the first round and it came in handy," Tomic said.
"He might have played him (Starace) a few times I don't know. It was definitely good advice and all the players in the locker room are friendly so it was good.
"I haven't seen Federer that much, but Nadal is a great guy and he's got a good attitude. It's really special and hopefully I can be like him one day.
"Novak and I like to chat every now and then.
"He's a great player, he's achieved a lot so hopefully I can follow in his footsteps.
"Hopefully, I'll be playing him somewhere - it'll be good competition between us."
As for his tip, it's no surprise who Tomic is backing.
"It'll be tough, but I'd love for Novak to win it," he said. "There's Nadal and Federer playing well so it's anyone's game."
LOL
A SERBIAN connection has ignited a bond between Novak Djokovic and Australian wonder boy Bernard Tomic.
Djokovic watched some of Tomic's match against Gilles Muller on Wednesday night, and offered the teenager some words of advice before his first round match against Italian Potito Starace.
"A little bit I watched," Djokovic said.
"We speak the same language because he comes from our region.
"He's a nice guy and his father is good.
"I was amazed, for his age, how far he went. He has a very bright future in front of him. To play on centre court, it's a unique experience so you can take the best out of it.
"He just needs to be positive and he has still a lot of time. Sooner or later he will come to the situation to play on Rod Laver so it was good.
"We talked yeah, a little bit about his opponent and the whole ambience in Rod Laver Arena.
"But you cannot describe it with words until you actually come and step on the court and see what the night session is."
Tomic said he relished the chance to mingle with the best and had received warm welcomes from other players.
"Novak said a few words before I played the first round and it came in handy," Tomic said.
"He might have played him (Starace) a few times I don't know. It was definitely good advice and all the players in the locker room are friendly so it was good.
"I haven't seen Federer that much, but Nadal is a great guy and he's got a good attitude. It's really special and hopefully I can be like him one day.
"Novak and I like to chat every now and then.
"He's a great player, he's achieved a lot so hopefully I can follow in his footsteps.
"Hopefully, I'll be playing him somewhere - it'll be good competition between us."
As for his tip, it's no surprise who Tomic is backing.
"It'll be tough, but I'd love for Novak to win it," he said. "There's Nadal and Federer playing well so it's anyone's game."
LOL