Novak Djokovic Defends Friend Tomic’s Actions

Written by: Staff on 18th October 2012

Novak Djokovic Defends Friend Tomic’s Actions

epa03423362 Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Florian Mayer of Germany during their semi-final match at the China Open in Beijing, China, 06 October 2012. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

Bernard Tomic’s application to his sport and professional ethic is a matter that causes many in Australian tennis great concern but world no.1 Novak Djokovic, a friend and confidante of the habitually errant 19 year-old, remains convinced the youngster will come through in good shape.

Djokovic has regularly practiced with Tomic and has made it clear his advice is on offer whenever needed by the player who recently admitted during the Shanghai Rolex Masters that he gave far less than 100% effort.

“He will learn,” said Djokovic. “I’m sure that he loves this sport. I know him well, maybe more than other guys. I know he’s talented. He truly loves the sport and has high ambitions.

“It’s good to be confident, but also be modest, be aware of your abilities and also try to have results before you start speaking in the media on different things.”

Djokovic insists the fact Tomic represents one of the four Grand Slam nations brings added pressure and the Australian media are desperate for a top player to carry on their major winning tradition that last saw Lleyton Hewitt succeed Patrick Rafter.

Hewitt is now clearly coming to the end of his career and Djokovic observed: “He (Bernard) also has a lot of pressure from media. He comes from a big country that has a grand slam, lots of expectations. He was the best junior in the world. He reached 2011 quarters of Wimbledon , fourth round of Australian Open.

“There’s a lot of things going on there through his head. He’s probably aware of the fact that he can face the big players, he can win in five sets, as he did this year in Australia . So physically and mentally, he’s there. But if he can do it on a regular basis, that’s something that tennis is actually asking from him.”

Tomic rents an apartment in Monte Carlo close to the home of Djokovic and the pair practice together regularly during weeks off the circuit. Consequently the world no.1 rates his neighbor, the youngest player inside the ATP World Tour’s top 100, as one of the best prospects in the sport.

”It’s always difficult at that age to try to figure out what you need to do in order to improve, in order to get better,” Djokovic said. ”He’s still very young. But I believe that with time he’s going to get necessary experience to understand himself better and the life that he has.

”I still do think he has a talent, a potential. He showed that on several occasions. He’s also a tall guy, has a big serve. So he can be one of the top players. It’s just a matter of obviously him believing in that and also working hard. He needs to work hard. He needs to be dedicated, committed, but also understand what it takes for him to get to that spot.”

Topics: Australian Open, Australian tennis news, Bernard Tomic, hanghai Rolex Masters, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Tennis News