12/3/08 10:23 PM | Ricky Dimon
Novak Djokovic has confirmed that an ATP event is going to be held in Belgrade, Serbia next season. Rumors and discussions have been going on for a while and now it's finally done.
Novak Djokovic announced on Wednesday that the proposed ATP event in Belgrade, Serbia is now a done deal.
“After all the success of our players, we have managed to bring Serbia to the world map of tennis,” said Djokovic, who along with his family bought the rights to the ABN Amro event previously held in the Netherlands.
Djokovic also revealed that the tournament, to be directed by Niki Pilic, will dish out $500,000 in prize money. It will be held in May during the clay-court swing and the third-ranked Serb is hopeful he can lure some of the sport's top players.
“I spoke to some of them about coming, but nothing was sure until we really got the event,” Djokovic explained. “However, it is not crucial that we immediately get (Rafael) Nadal, (Roger) Federer or (Andy) Murray to play,” Djokovic said. “It is important that we get quality matches.”
Ana Ivanovic, meanwhile, is expressing interest in bringing an accompanying WTA tournament to Belgrade.
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I'm sure he cudnt of possibly meant that. I mean thatd be hilerious if you interpreted it that way - prob the funniest thing hes ever said. Oh no... no theres been better. Hes good mates with Murray, theres no way he meant it that way- but I wish he did. What I wanna know is if he will be playing there.
kaitepai , 12/3/08 11:06 PM
Djoker? Of course he is playing there.
RickyDimon , 12/3/08 11:17 PM
Lol. That's like an immediate win.
Avalaine , 12/3/08 11:56 PM
Avalaine,
this tournament is not about Djokovic (at least in this initial phase), it is more about bringing tennis events to Serbian people with a prospect of big tennis names participation in the (distant) future.
posmatrac , 12/4/08 1:41 AM
I didn't mean to make it sound like it was about him. The tournament has to start off somewhere obviously. It's obvious he'll win though unless the next great star nips in in the bud.
Avalaine , 12/4/08 4:32 AM
Again misinterpretations, I feel sick of translations, you folks should understand one thing, we as a Novak's fans love him very much, supporting his whenever he needs that, for us as nation this event is most important thing these days, and Novak himself is such a nice guy, with enormous personality, with full respect for all players, but some of you don't want to realize that, that's your problem, if you don't like him, that's your business, don't misinterpreting his words, I'm sorry, you don't know our native language, I was present there when he spoke about ATP tournament, so do not over reacting, exaggerating, putting in his mouth words he never said, finally give us a brake and make an comment about your favourite players instead of spitting Novak's name, NOLE FOREVER..
gordana , 12/4/08 3:05 PM
Gordana-- It's possible he said that in English. And I'm glad your proud of your country's player. That's a good thing. We all understand that you love Djokovic. I never put words in his mouth and I said I could be misinterpreting it, but even if it was a dig, it would be a quite clever one actually. Seriously, no one means you any harm.
And why should I talk about my favorite player? He really isn't a focus in the article.
Avalaine , 12/4/08 9:01 PM
Sometimes people try to find a problem where the problem really doesn't exist. He said he would like to have all the best players in the tournament. Rafa and Roger have a lot of fans in Serbia and we are hopeful that their attendance will be possible in the near future.
posmatrac , 12/4/08 10:51 PM
I'm hopeful too, but for less pure reasons.
Avalaine , 12/4/08 11:16 PM
less is sometimes more or maybe not?
posmatrac , 12/4/08 11:47 PM
Recordbreaks, Jul 4, 2009 3:33 AM
nirv02, Jul 4, 2009 12:42 AM
sky, Jul 4, 2009 12:15 AM
agf25agf, Jul 3, 2009 11:10 PM
Recordbreaks, Jul 3, 2009 10:34 PM
mdmch, Jul 4, 2009 1:50 AM
carrie, Jul 3, 2009 11:09 AM
tomnjerry2, Jun 21, 2009 3:37 PM
I actually find this sort of cool, even though his statement about quality matches almost looks like a dig after mentioning the others of the Big four, but I could just be misinterpreting him since I'm not a big fan.
Avalaine , 12/3/08 10:34 PM