Serbia tennis star No. 1 faces difficult test at Indian Wells Djokovic: Roddick is tough to beat in USA Author: T. D. | 20.03.2009 - 05:00 Novak Djokovic will face a formidable task in the Indian Wells quarter-final when he takes on home crowd favourite Andy Roddick. The Serb and the number seven seed last met at the Australian Open, when Novak retired while Roddick was leading 6-7 6-4 6-2 2-1. The American tied their head-to-head record at 2-2 with the win in Melbourne against an opponent who can hardly be labelled one of his favourite personas at the ATP Tour. Roddick often speaks out unfavourably of Djokovic, claiming the Serb retires from matches all too often. The American former world’s number one said after the defeat at the hands of Djokovic at last September’s US Open that the Serb was suffering from 16 injuries and that he was faking it, while Djokovic replied by saying the scolding only inspired him to win. Subsequently, the two publically reconciled, as Roddick said he was only joking and that Novak had to take the comments that way and do the same to others. - “What was said, was said. I reacted according with how I felt about it all at the moment. I may have done him wrong, and I may have not. Regardless of all, I like to play here because here I had my best result, the Grand Slam title aside. It’s hard to play against Roddick, especially on the American soil.” - “He likes to play on hard-court surfaces and we’ve had a number of tight matches in the past 18 months. His biggest asset is his serve, and I think he’ s improved a lot in the past months. I don’t accept the role of favourite in this match, as it will be a big challenge for both of us,” said Djokovic. Roddick is not criticising his big rival in public any more. - “Are we the best of friends? No, but we respect each other,” said the American. Djokovic is defending his last season’s title at Indian Wells, just like his compatriot Ana Ivanovic in the women’s draw. On the way to retaining the crown he disposed of the tricky challenge of Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth round (7-6 7-6). - “I know I’m not playing great at the moment, but it takes some expertise to win a match in two tie-breakers. I was not that convincing in the first part of the Dubai event either, but as the tournament progressed I raised my game and eventually won the event. I believe that could be the case here too,” Novak is optimistic. The Serbian number one has clinched one title in 2009, but suggests an improvement in form with a place in the Indian Wells quarter-finals. - “I’ve made a step forward. I need to believe in myself because I deserve to be here. I have the potential to improve; I’m only 21 and there’s still room for upgrading my game. I need to try and be as consistent as possible at major tournaments.” Novak Djokovic contributes to the promotion of his home country of Serbia and the domestic tennis worldwide. Moreover, he participates in the process of developing new young talents and future champions. - “Serbia is currently living for tennis and now it’s the right moment for us to forge a system back home, in order to enable the kids to become true professionals one day. I assure there are plenty of kids who are exceptionally talented and that their rocketing success is only a matter of whether they get the proper support from the system. I can be of assistance to a certain extent, but I appear at ATP tournaments worldwide and I am often not in Serbia and it’ s a job the Tennis Association should get their hands on.” -- ╭──────╥───────────────────╮ │██████║ ╭╮╭╮ ╭ ╭╮ ╭╮ ┐┌╮┌─ │ │██████║ ││││ │ ├╯ Ψ ├┤ │││├─ │ │██████║ ┘┘╰╯ ┘ ╰┘ ┘┘ ╯└╯└─ │ │Novak's Photos http://novakdjokovic.pixnet.net　　 │ ╰──────╨────────────────ψwi─╯ --

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