Comment: Serbia Open 2009

Djokovic Open

Everywhere around Sports Centre "Milan Gale Muškatirović" you could see only Novak's name - Aqua Novak bottles of water, the same logo (but without Aqua) on the Chair Umpire, on the players seats, on the linesmen seats, umbrellas, training courts... It was repeating and repeating. Ivan Ljubičić has tried to make a comparison to Zagreb ATP tournament - "well, I was there, I was also playing for Croatian national team, I was also in World Top 10, I helped them a lot with my experience and advices but it is not my tournament! This one is Novak's and that's just the fact!"


By MARKO ANDREJIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


Tennis has really become one of the most important exporting Serbian brands recently. After many European and world gold medals in basketball, volleyball, handball... it has finally come to some individual sport. Success of Novak Đoković, Ana Ivanović, Jelena Janković, Nenad Zimonjić, boys and girls among the best world players, has brought an interest for this sport and new army of tennis fans into Serbia. That's why Serbia Open was something that we were really looking forward to, something we badly needed and expected.

What we didn't expect is that will be a Family Tournament instead of Serbian one. Đoković Family and their company Family Sport is the main organizer of the event. Belgrade city authorities and Serbian governement are just an assistance. With all due respect to Novak Đoković name, quality (tennis and personal), ranking and charisma, with respect to his role in moving tournament from the Netherlands to Serbia, I have to say the first ATP tournament named "Serbia Open" could not be organized without more impact of Serbia.

Everywhere around Sports Centre "Milan Gale Muškatirović" you could see only Novak's name - Aqua Novak bottles of water, the same logo (but without Aqua) on the Chair Umpire, on the players seats, on the linesmen seats, umbrellas, training courts... It was repeating and repeating - thanks to Djokovic Family for organizing the tournament. Ivan Ljubičić has told me, trying to make a comparison to Zagreb ATP tournament - "well, I was there, I was playing for Croatian national team, I was in World Top 10, I helped them a lot with my experience and advices but it is not my tournament! This one is Novak's and that's just the fact!" So, how would you feel to go into your friend's playground and try to beat him there, although you are aware of the fact he has built the court, bought the balls, organized everything and - last but not least - his parents are watching you? Not so comfortable, ha? That's what Boris Pasanski said on the very first day.

It is very significant that "Serbia Open" had no guests from Serbian Tennis Association. It is hard to believe that people who care about this sport couldn't find a single day (of 9, as tournament was played) to see the most important men's tennis event, for the first time happening in their country. According to some of Serbian media - officials say they wanted to come but never got the answer from the organizers. Organizers say - it must be they mistyped an e-mail address, so we didn't receive their letter. But they could make a phone call. Exactly the same opinion is on the other side.

One more shadow - few days before "Serbia Open" Novak's father and uncle, Srdjan and Goran, asked from the Serbian Broadcasting Company not to allow the commentary of the tournament to the famous and respected journalist Nebojsa Viskovic. Srdjan Djokovic already had "problems" with Viskovic because "he doesn't support Novak enough in his TV comment during the matches". They said otherwise RTS (Serbian Broadcasting Company) won't get a live coverage and exclusive media rights for this event. National TV tried to negotiate but finally had to give up and move Nebojsa Viskovic. He announced resigning from RTS and transfer to "Sport Klub TV".

Anyway, Novak has just won the break point by winning the trophy. Now he should confirm that in the next game (improvements with organizing ATP tournament) and win the set (stay independent of bad family influences and try to put his positive impact). Then he will win the match outside the court, too.


(Published: 10.05.2009.)