BELGRADE, July 1 (Reuters) - New world number one Novak Djokovic has what it takes to hold on at the top of the rankings for a long time and will head into the Wimbledon final under no pressure to win it, Serbia’s Davis Cup coach Bogdan Obradovic said.
Djokovic will face current number one and defending champion Rafa Nadal in Sunday’s final after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 6-2 6-7 6-3 in a pulsating semi-final.
Obradovic believes that twice Australian Open winner Djokovic, who has extended his 2011 record to 47 wins and just one defeat, should relax and enjoy Sunday’s occasion given he will take over as world number one on Monday whatever happens.
“There will be a lot more pressure on his opponent because Nadal knows he is up against the man who dethroned him,” Obradovic told Reuters.
“But winning his first final at Wimbledon would be the icing on the cake for Djokovic and just reward for all the hard work which saw him reach the pinnacle of the world rankings.”
The 24-year-old, who will be the first Serb to be men’s number one, lost to Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals in his only blip this year and then took some time off.
“Djokovic’s decision to skip any grasscourt events prior to Wimbledon after the French Open turned out to be a masterstroke, because he saved up all the energy he needed to perform to the best of his abilities in London,” his national coach said.
“He has shown remarkable resilience throughout the season and did so again against Tsonga, when he finished off the job after the Frenchman had hauled himself back into the match.”
A party by the Serbia Davis Cup team is planned in honour of Djokovic before the holders head to their quarter-final tie in Sweden next weekend boasting a player who could threaten to dominate the men’s game despite Nadal and Federer’s aura.
“It will be a new experience for him, but in a way he knows what he has to do because he has already played many finals and big matches for someone his age,” Obradovic added.
“Djokovic is only 24 and has at least four or five years of top level tennis left in him, so I think we can look forward to many more titles and wins from Serbia’s top player.
Djokovic will face current number one and defending champion Rafa Nadal in Sunday’s final after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 6-2 6-7 6-3 in a pulsating semi-final.
Obradovic believes that twice Australian Open winner Djokovic, who has extended his 2011 record to 47 wins and just one defeat, should relax and enjoy Sunday’s occasion given he will take over as world number one on Monday whatever happens.
“There will be a lot more pressure on his opponent because Nadal knows he is up against the man who dethroned him,” Obradovic told Reuters.
“But winning his first final at Wimbledon would be the icing on the cake for Djokovic and just reward for all the hard work which saw him reach the pinnacle of the world rankings.”
The 24-year-old, who will be the first Serb to be men’s number one, lost to Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals in his only blip this year and then took some time off.
“Djokovic’s decision to skip any grasscourt events prior to Wimbledon after the French Open turned out to be a masterstroke, because he saved up all the energy he needed to perform to the best of his abilities in London,” his national coach said.
“He has shown remarkable resilience throughout the season and did so again against Tsonga, when he finished off the job after the Frenchman had hauled himself back into the match.”
A party by the Serbia Davis Cup team is planned in honour of Djokovic before the holders head to their quarter-final tie in Sweden next weekend boasting a player who could threaten to dominate the men’s game despite Nadal and Federer’s aura.
“It will be a new experience for him, but in a way he knows what he has to do because he has already played many finals and big matches for someone his age,” Obradovic added.
“Djokovic is only 24 and has at least four or five years of top level tennis left in him, so I think we can look forward to many more titles and wins from Serbia’s top player.
“I am sure he is looking forward to the rest of the season and especially the U.S. Open, where he has a very good record on his preferred surface.”
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