Help
11/10/11 2:44 PM | Johan Lindahl
The possibility of missing out on a $1.6 million bonus payout was not a worry for Novak Djokovic after the Serb overcame what had looked to be a serious shoulder injury at the weekend.
Djokovic came up as the winner in his opening match at the Paris Masters.
"It was really somehow funny for me," said the top seed. "I even heard that I would get on the court and play a game just to get this money."
Under ATP rules, had he not put racquet to ball for at least one point in his second-round opening match with Ivan Dodig - Djokovic assured that with an ace on his opening point - the Serb would have forfeited his entire $1.6 million bonus. The amount had already diminished from $2 million for skipping the Shanghai Masters last month due to back pain.
But this season's $10 million man might have a slightly different perspective on his year-end bonus than most. "This is ridiculous," he said of speculation that he played to save his payday. "We are all athletes, this is our job.
"We‘re all playing to be paid at one stage, this is normal. I don't see what's unusual in that. I came here because I want to compete. If I know that I'm physically good enough, in good condition to be competing, I will compete."
"If I don't, I will not compete. It's as simple as that. There is nothing else that can affect my decision.
"It's obvious that I'm still not top of my game. I‘m taking things quite slowly, knowing that the form will improve each day that I play."
Find the latest tennis odds at Unibet.com
Tell a friend »
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
