Nole majstore! You have no idea how much you've made us proud yesterday! Such fighting spirit, never say die attitude, you are definately the greatest athlete Serbia has ever produced. :)

nemanja230690, give us an indication of how "big" Novak is now in Serbia. I mean, we know he was given a diplomatic passport for his Davis Cup exploits but that was a team honour. What honours have been bestored on him individually? e.g. does he have a street named after him?

Basically, he's a God. Honestly. I know that may be hard to believe, but Djoko is untouchable. And it stared in 2007, when he really broke out. Last year (and so far this one too) cannot be described. After Wimbledon 100 000 greeted him outside when he came to Belgrade. There is a video on YT.

So far, I don't he's gotten any streets or such (at least in the city I live in). However, I'm confident he'll get such an accolade. Although I may be wrong, I THINK the central court where ATP tournament is held in Belgrade is named after him.
If they ever build a tennis stadium complex, it'll be named after him as he's widely considered the best sports player from Serbia and that's including all sports.

What you have to consider, Djokovic means a lot more to our people than just the results he achieves. He's an inspiration to all kids in Serbia. He's the example that hard work pays off. You all know probably that when he was growing up, he didn't excatly have the best conditions to develop as a player (ie. practicing in a swimming pool). And from him to become the best player on the planet is really inspiring.

Also, know that Rafa is really respected here. Much more so than Federer.

No, there are no streets as of yet, although the famous director, Emir Kusutirica, made his own little village and one street there is named after Novak Djokovic (also, some are named after great actors and directors). Nole was also awarded the Order of St. Sava which is, if I am not mistaken, the highest honor a Serbian Orthodox Church can give to a civilian (and clergy) - this was for his humanitarian work and giving monies to endangered medieval Serbian monasteries in Kosovo. Just during the AO, he was awarded a similar honor from Russian Orthodox Church. He was voted the best sportsman and a person of the year for several years now, and not just in Serbia but in the region (former Yugoslavia). There's probably more, just can't remember.

Novak is huge in Serbia. Ana and Jelena too. But he tops them all. However, there are also those who make funny comments about his living in Monte Carlo, about his ATP tournament, about his father...

* Emir Kusturica
sorry for misspelling

What's happening to Nole's two brothers? Is Marko on the seniors tour yet or Djorde in the juniors?

Ana and Jelena used to be. Not that much anymore.

Danica is right, there are few who make such comments, but those are just some petty, jealous people.

Hm..don't know much about his brothers. Marko is often with the DC team though. Last I heard, he was still in the challengers. Although, he was a wild card invite in Belgrade, last year? Or two years ago, I can't remember. Djordje is still in juniors I believe.

Thanks for sharing guys. Good luck to Novak for 2012!! Just tell him to stay away from RG please...........................

I think Rafa had a meteor or some star named after him by some Spanish astrological outfit...........................hence my curiosity about Novak...................

Marko's best quality is his family name... with all respect to Nole's family... I don't believe that he will ever achieve something in ATP...
There are rumors, even Novak said that few times that Djordje is real talent.
Ana and Jelena... well it's kind a sad story... they are struggling and fighting but public opinion is that best days are behind them. Shame for gorgeous Ana, cuz she is still young...
BTW... If you think that we have quarrels here on TT... you should see the WAR between Ana and Jelena fans in Serbia... I mean real WAR... :)
With Novak... it's easy... he is far away best Serbian sportsman... but who is best Serbian female tennis player... that is something completely different..

In regards to his brothers, Marko had a wrist injury last year and surgery to correct it. He has been playing a lot of challengers. I have seen an interview with their father Srdjan, where he says that sometimes he wishes Marko would just give up tennis, as the pressure of being Novak's brother is never easy.
Djordje is still young, he is 16. I seem to remember Novak mentioning he was also struggling with some injuries last year. Djordje seems to spend most of his time in Bradenton, FL at the Bollettieri Academy.

I also remember an anecdote from years ago, when Djokovic broke into top 20. The journalists asked his father what were the other 2 brothers like and he said something along the lines of "Out of three of them Novak is the worst" :-)

Personally, I think Marko probably wont do much in regards to his tennis career and the fact that he is already 20 yrs old. Add to it the 'weight' of playing under Djokovic name and the fact that their brother secured all of their financial futures for the rest of their lives.
Djordje is still young, so we'll see

BTW... If you think that we have quarrels here on TT... you should see the WAR between Ana and Jelena fans in Serbia... I mean real WAR... :)
zare , 1/30/12 11:13 PM

A function of an "empty" life I am afraid, picking fights with people you do not know, about people you know even less about. That is the illusion of the media.

We read about famous people's lives and delude ourselves into thinking we are part of them and their lives. We communicate with people on the blogosphere and assume a familiarity which does not exist. Add a certain "emptiness" in our lives to the potent mix and boom!

Perspective, such a wonderful concept......................

The Djokovics would probably end up like the McEnroes. Whilst John is certainly a legend, Pat never really made it beyond top 30 and that was for a very brief period, he was mostly in the 60s and 70s, even though he has so much to say about players who are on another planet compared to him.

Miniest Djokovic still has time to do something.

rafaisthebest @5.47. You're going all philosophical on us darling :) However, even in this virtual life, I believe people's essence is distilled. I know perfectly well whom I would get on with, should we ever meet. People who unnecessarily diss other players and who think sweraing and name calling is Oh sooo hilarious, nah, people who treat victory and defeat with lightness, good grace and humour, yep!
One of the strangest things, though, is when regular posters disappear without trace and there's no apparent reason and no way any of us can find out. I still remember claycourter's disappearance, but, now, dear ed has vanished and I really, really miss her :(

^^^^^^you are so right dear deucy, people's essence is indeed distilled, even in the blogosphere. That is why it is important to be always on your best behaviour.................and never forget to check the mirror before you answer the telephone or send a message to TT..............................

RITB, lol darling....just off to check my wing mirrors...;)

Hi Deuce, I have been wondering about ed numbers myself. I used to enjoy her posts and miss her sense of humour. I cannot believe that she just stopped posting without a good reason and I cannot believe that she was banned. Hope she is ok and that she will be back soon.

I miss Ed too. But she has been away from TT before and come back. I expect and hope she will again.

So true about people?s essence distilled. Sometimes you can glean a lot about someone even in one phrase or particular angle or way of communicating it. Especially putting it together with other bits from their posts.

Was wondering about Ed myself, Sosueme hasn't been around for a while either?