Urodzony 19 marca 1979 w Banja Luce, obecnie Bośnia i Hercegowina, chorwacki tenisista, zawodowiec od 1998 roku, sklasyfikowany w 2006 roku na 3 miejscu na świecie. Wygrał 8 turniejów ATP w singlu a także finalista trzech imprez Masters Series (Madryt 2005 w 5 setach z Nadalem, Bercy 2005 w 5 setach z Berdychem i Miami 2006 w trzech przegranych tie-breakach z Federerem). Szczytowy okres jego kariery to lata 2005-2006 kiedy osiągał seryjnie świetne rezultaty i kwalifikował się do turnieju Masters w Szanghaju, gdzie jednak nie wychodził z grupy. W brawurowym stylu poprowadził Chorwację do triumfu w Pucharze Davisa 2005, ale niedosytem pozostają dość słabe rezultaty w turniejach wielkoszlemowych (jedyny dobry wynik to półfinał RG 2006) i cała seria zaciętych, ale przegranych ważnych meczów z czołowymi rakietami świata, przede wszystkim z Federerem. Jego najlepsze lata już chyba niestety definitywnie minęły, czasem widzimy Ivana jak się mocno stara w meczu np. z Djokovicem czy Monfilsem ale już różnica wieku wyraźnie daje znać o sobie.
Ciekawy gracz, dysponujący przede wszystkim potężnym serwisem, dobrym forehandem i niezwykłym stoicyzmem na korcie, który być może wynika z dramatycznych przeżyć z dzieciństwa z okresu wojny domowej w Jugosławii. Prawdopodobnie to jednak piękna żona tak wpływa na dystans Ivana do tenisa :D
http://www.tenisowy.com/news/269/ljubic … _gratuluje
Chorwackiemu tenisiście Ivanowi Ljubiciciowi urodził się syn Leonardo. Jednym z pierwszych, który przesłał gratulacje był lider światowego rankingu Hiszpan Rafael Nadal.
"Gratuluję Ivanovi i jego małżonce Aidzie z okazji przyjścia na świat ich pierwszego dziecka - napisał Rafael Nadal w swoim blogu. - Chrońcie go. Z Ivanem niebawem spotkamy się w Melbourne".
Gratulacje :)
Tak, tak pisałem o tym, ostatnio Hewitt teraz on, no Gratulacje oczywiście :) Nowe gwiazdy światowego tenisa nadchodzą :)
Wszystkiego Najlepszego IVAN!!
Trochę zaspałem, ale ważne, że życzenia są w pełni szczere.
Ivan Ljubicić skończył 30 lat, w dniu urodzin przegrał z Andym Murrayem w 1/4 IW, ale pozostawił po sobie znakomite wrażenie.
Wielu lat na krocie i powrotu przynajmniej do Top-50 !
Wydaję się że to już jego kres kariery Ljubicic ma problemy z poruszaniem się po korcie i coraz częściej nie wytrzymuję meczów kondycyjnie, mam nadzieję że pojutrze wykorzysta to Łukasz Kubot :D
60 seconds with Ivan Ljubicic
Ivan Ljubicic, former world number three, expresses his love of Guns and Roses, Metallica and George Clooney.
What was you first car?
Ford Focus, it was beautiful, I really loved to drive it.
Best thing you have been given for free?
iPod
What do you listen to on your iPod?
Metal, rock, hard rock, but I try to stay away from music before a match because it tends to mix my emotions.
If your friends came over for dinner, what would you cook them?
Pasta, some vegetables and then some fruit afterwards, try and keep it natural.
If your house was on fire, what would you save?
As much as I can bring. I was actually in a hotel once which caught on fire and I ended up with nothing, so I hope it doesn't happen again.
If you weren't a sportsman, what would you be doing?
Something to do with economy. I like numbers and I try to follow it as much as I can.
What would you sing if you went to karaoke?
Something from Guns and Roses or Metallica, they are my two favourite bands.
Earliest sporting memory?
One of my first ever practices; I used to play with a wooden racquet that was so heavy I couldn't even lift it.
You are having a dinner party, which three other people would you choose?
Wife, son and George Clooney.
What is the most extravagant thing you have ever brought?
Car (not the Ford Focus).
If you were Prime Minister, what would be the first law you would pass?
I would try and bring more money into sports to get kids playing more.
What is the cutest animal you have ever eaten?
Rabbit, it's good.
www.eurosport.com
#1 Lyon 2001
R32 Gustavo Kuerten (BRA) 7-6(1), 6-2
R16 Julien Benneteau (FRA) 7-5, 7-5
Q Gaston Gaudio (ARG) 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1
S Marat Safin (RUS) 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 7-6(7)
W Younes El Aynaoui (MAR) 6-3, 6-2
#2 Metz 2005
R32 Jose Acasuso (ARG) 7-6(2), 6-3
R16 Fabrice Santoro (FRA) 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(3)
Q Robin Soderling (SWE) 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4
S Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-1, 6-4
W Gael Monfils (FRA) 7-6(7), 6-0
#3 Wiedeń 2005
R32 Agustin Calleri (ARG) 6-4, 6-3
R16 Tommy Haas (GER) 6-3, 6-4
Q Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 6-3, 7-5
S Tommy Robredo (ESP) 7-6(5), 6-4
W Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(5)
#4 Chennai 2006
R32 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 7-6(6), 7-5
R16 Jiri Vanek (CZE) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Q Gilles Muller (LUX) 6-1, 6-3
S Kristof Vliegen (BEL) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6)
W Carlos Moya (ESP) 7-6(6), 6-2
#5 Zagrzeb 2006
R32 Andy Murray (GBR) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
R16 Kenneth Carlsen (DEN) 7-6(5), 6-4
Q Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-3, 6-2
S Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4
W Stefan Koubek (AUT) 6-3, 6-4
#6 Wiedeń 2006
R32 Agustin Calleri (ARG) 7-6(3), 6-2
R16 Florian Mayer (GER) 6-3, 6-3
Q Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-3, 6-2
S Dominik Hrbaty (SVK) 6-1, 6-4
W Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 6-3, 6-4, 7-5
#7 Doha 2007
R32 Denis Gremelmayr (GER) 6-1, 6-2
R16 Younes El Aynaoui (MAR) 6-3, 6-4
Q Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 2-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(3)
S Robin Soderling (SWE) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5)
W Andy Murray (GBR) 6-4, 6-4
#8 S'Hertogenobsch 2007
R32 Gael Monfils (FRA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-0
R16 Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-3, 6-4
Q Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-3
S Julien Benneteau (FRA) 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4
W Peter Wessels (NED) 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4)
#9 Lyon 2009
R32 M.Vassalo Arguello 6-3 6-4
R16 N.Kiefer 6-3 3-6 6-3
QF F.Serra 7-6 6-2
SF A.Clement 6-2 6-4
W M.Llodra 7-5 6-3
Graty Bossie, i przy okazji życzę zdrowia, żeby chociaż dobić do tych 10 tytułów.
Ljubicic Named Special Olympics Ambassador
Ivan Ljubicic is to be the Ambassador for Special Olympics Monaco, whose mission is the integration of the mentally handicapped through sport.
The Croatian has supported the group for a number of years, by attending their social functions and offering them financial support and clothing for their worldwide sport meetings.
“It is always a pleasure to help them as much as I can and to see them smile,” said the 30-year-old Ljubicic. “I feel that I can make their life a little bit easier. I sometimes play tennis with them and we have lot of fun. The most important thing is for them not to feel excluded by our society.
“It is a natural step for me to become their Ambassador as I have been helping them for some time. I would love to keep giving my support in the following years, even after I retire.”
As the next step, Ljubicic will sponsor a combined soccer team (handicapped athletes with their coach) to be invited for the European Championship of Combined Soccer, to be held in Monaco in May 2009.
Madame Calmes, President of Special Olympics Monaco, said: “We are very proud and happy that a sportsman of Ivan Ljubicic’s standing has agreed to become Ambassador for the Special Olympics Monaco. We are extremely touched and very grateful.”
Oj, zaniedbany wątek :P
Ivan Ljubicic completes AAMI Classic field at Kooyong
CROATIAN Ivan Ljubicic has grabbed the final spot in the eight-man field for the AAMI Classic starting at Kooyong tomorrow.
Ljubicic, the world No. 24, accepted the offer after world No.1 Roger Federer declined to play to protect soreness in his racquet arm.
The 30-year-old, a regular at Kooyong, joins a crack field which contains five of the top 10 players for the traditional tune-up for the Australian Open starting next week.
Promoter Colin Stubs confirmed that Scot Andy Murray, No.4, will play the last of four matches on Thursday against an opponent yet to be confirmed.
Pat Cash will play colourful Frenchman Henri Leconte in a nostalgic extra match after Saturday's final and the third and fourth places play-off
Ljubicic leads off the program at 11am tomorrow, against US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro.
100 lat Ivan! Wprawdzie spóźnione o ponad 20 minut, ale szczere.
Hajde 31-latku!
Ivan Ljubicic: Zagrałem perfekcyjny tie-break
Ivan Ljubcic, 31 - letni tenisista z Chorwacji stoi przed wielką szansę wygrania ATP Masters 1000 w Indian Wells po raz pierwszy w swojej karierze. W 2006 roku Ljubicic przegrał finał w Miami. Wówczas lepszy okazał się Szwajcar Roger Federer 6:7(5), 6:7(4), 6:7(6).
- Mam nadzieję, że w końcu będzie to zwycięstwo. Nadal pudłował ważne piłki. Przesadził z siłą w niektórych momentach. Wiedziałem, że nie jest w stanie kontrolować spotkania w 100%. Musiałem tylko znaleźć swój rytm returnów i wiedziałem, że mogę wygrać ten mecz - powiedział po meczu triumfator.
Decydujący dla losów spotkania okazał się tie-break, który Chorwat wygrał do jednego. - To był mój najlepszy tie-brek w życiu. Po prostu perfekcyjny - dodał zawodnik. Rywalem Chorwata będzie Andy Roddick, który nigdy jeszcze nie triumfował w Indian Wells.
- To chyba jedyny wielki turniej w USA, którego nie wygrałem. Czuję, że kibicie są po mojej stronie. Mam nadzieję, że w niedzielę będzie podobnie. Wsparcie ma zdecydowany wpływ na wynik meczu - powiedział Amerykanin.
#10) TMS Indian Wells 2010!
R128 Bye
R64 Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-2, 7-6(2)
R32 Brian Dabul (ARG) 6-2, 6-3
R16 Novak Djokovic (SRB/2) 7-5, 6-3
Q Juan Monaco (ARG/21) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
S Rafael Nadal (ESP/3) W 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(1)
W Andy Roddick (USA/7) 7-6(3), 7-6(5)
Co tak późno Dawid ten post :D
Fed-Expresso napisał:
Co tak późno Dawid ten post :D
Przy 6-2 został napisany, przy 6-5 postawiłem wykrzyknik. :D
Ljubicic Celebrates First ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Title
Croatian Ivan Ljubicic completed his giant-slaying run at the BNP Paribas Open, defeating World No. 8 Andy Roddick 7-6(3), 7-6(5) on Sunday afternoon in Indian Wells to capture his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.
He capitalized on his fourth championship point, hitting a huge serve that Roddick was unable to return, and savored the moment with a mixture of disbelief, relief and happiness etched on his face after runner-up finishes in his three previous ATP World Tour Masters 1000 finals.
“Looking at my career in general, I did feel like I was missing it,” said Ljubicic. “It's really fantastic feeling to finally have it. It gives something special to your career. It's just another thing that after Davis Cup, Olympic medal and two Top 10 finishes, one Top 5 finish and now in Masters 1000, it makes everything look better actually.”
Watch Sunday Highlights | Watch Ljubicic Interview
The championship match lived up to its billing as a battle between big servers, with neither player dropping serve during the two-hour, seven-minute final. Though both players came up against tricky situations early on, with Roddick facing triple break point on serve in the first game and Ljubicic in the fourth, both reeled off five straight points to get out of trouble.
After playing what he called the “best tie-break of my life” against Rafael Nadal on Saturday, Ljubicic once again came up big against Roddick, despite the American’s impressive 14-2 mark to his 3-4 mark in tie-breaks this season. He put Roddick on the defensive as he took the early mini-breaks in each, and held on to edge the American both times.
Ljubicic, who double-faulted on his first championship point, said about his play in the tie-breaks: “I think it was more mental. Both tie-breaks I felt more relaxed, especially in the second tie-break. In fact, there was some strange things happening by the end of that match, but that just shows you how relaxed I was.”
The victory capped off a tremendous week for the Croatian, who posted an upset win over World No. 2 Novak Djokovic in the fourth round and No. 3 Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, and in between celebrated his 31st birthday on Friday.
Watch Ljubicic's Sunday Hot Shot
The 26th-ranked Ljubicic became the first player outside the Top 20 to capture an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title since World No. 21 David Nalbandian won the Paris title in November 2007 (d. Nadal).
Coincidentally, the other two players ranked outside the Top 20 to claim the Indian Wells title (since 1990) were also ranked No. 26, with Alex Corretja defeating Thomas Enqvist in 2000 and Jim Courier defeating Guy Forget in 1991.
With his effort over this past fortnight, the former World No. 3 – who has now won 10 tour-level titles – will move back into the Top 20 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings on Monday for the first time since January 2008. He is projected to climb to around No. 13.
“I want to fight for [the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in] London and try to finish Top 10 another year,” he said. “But it's not gonna be easy, that's for sure. Just the fact that I won here doesn't make me No. 3, 5 player in the world. I have to be realistic enough and try to steal that maybe 7th or 8th spot from younger guys who might be injured or not fit and not consistent enough (laughter). But it's a long season in front of us, so who knows what it's gonna bring us.”
Roddick, who was contesting the BNP Paribas Open final for the first time in eight appearances, was attempting to complete his collection of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles in North America. The 27 year old won Montreal in 2003, Miami in 2004, and Cincinnati in 2003 and '06.
“I played well. I hit the ball real well, even today,” said Roddick, who had held six break point opportunities. “I felt like I was winning my fair share of the rallies once we got into them. I just ran into a guy who served great on the big points. Unfortunately that's probably the one thing that I don't have control over out there. Credit to him. He came up with massive, massive serves when he had to.”
Ljubicic says his Masters title a long time coming
Ljubicic says his Masters title a long time coming For Ivan Ljubicic, the Indian Wells title he earned on Sunday was well-earned.
Ivan Ljubicic knows the Masters 1000 title which he finally won at age 31 was a long time coming. But the Croatian who beat Andy Roddick 7-6, 7-6 for the Indian Wells title at the weekend says the honour was one he felt he had earned.
"There were times 2005, 2006, when I really felt like I deserved one (Masters title),'s aid the player who stood third on the ATP in October, 2006. "Madrid, I was a break up in the fifth against Rafa in the final. Tomas Berdych at Bercy, lost in five.
But looking at my career in general, I did feel like I was missing it. It's really fantastic feeling to finally have it."
Ljubicic fired 21 aces in victory to deny Roddick one of the few American titles he has never lifted. It will send Ljubicic to a 13th ranking as well.
"It gives something special to your career," said the Croatian father of one. "It makes everything look better actually.
"I was just taking it match by match and everything was just happening. I can't ignore now I'm probably gonna be 13, 14. I want to fight for London (year-end final) and try to finish top 10 another year. But it's not gonna be easy, that's for sure.
"I have to be realistic enough and try to steal that maybe 7th or 8th spot from younger guys who might be injured or not fit and not consistent enough.
"But it's a long season in front of us, so who knows what it's gonna bring us."
Zrelaksowany Ljubičić obiecuje kolejne wygrane
Dwa dni po 31. urodzinach Ivan Ljubičić udowodnił całemu światu, że wiek nie musi być przeszkodą w pokonywaniu młodszych. Kiedy zawodnik urodzony w Bośni i Hercegowinie zakończył 2008 rok na 45. miejscu, pojawiły się myśli o końcu kariery. Nikt się nie spodziewał, że na początku nowego sezonu znów będzie walczyć o czołową dziesiątkę.
Na niedzielnej konferencji prasowej, na którą Ljubičić przybył już ze swoim szklanym trofeum, nie krył radości z sukcesu w turnieju w Indian Wells. - To dodaje czegoś specjalnego mojej karierze. To kolejny sukces po wygranym Pucharze Davisa, medalu igrzysk olimpijskich, dwóch latach zakończonych w Top 10 i jednym sezonie w Top 5. A teraz Masters 1000. Moje osiągnięcia wyglądają jeszcze lepiej.
Chorwat żartował podczas rozmowy z dziennikarzami, że tytuł z cyklu Masters 1000 mu się już wcześniej należał. Trzy razy był blisko, ale za każdym razem coś się nie udawało. - W 2005, czy w 2006 roku naprawdę myślałem, że to mi się należy. W Madrycie prowadziłem z przełamaniem w piątym secie z Rafą. Z Berdychem w Paryżu przegrałem znów po pięciosetowym pojedynku. Niekoniecznie pojedynek w Miami: tam co prawda były trzy tie breaki z Federerem, ale on w nich dominował.
Ljubičić w Indian Wells pokonał m.in. Novaka Đokovicia (ATP 2), Rafaela Nadala (ATP 4) i w niedzielnym finale Andy’ego Roddicka (ATP 8). Dzięki tak wspaniałym wynikom w rankingu awansował na 13. miejsce. Jest w tym momencie zdecydowanie najwyżej klasyfikowanym tenisistą spośród tych mających ponad 30 lat. O zakończeniu kariery jednak nie myśli, a przed sobą stawia kolejne cele. - Chcę powalczyć o Masters w Londynie i skończyć sezon w czołowej dziesiątce. Muszę być jednak realistą i postarać się wykraść to siódme czy ósme miejsce od młodszych, którzy czasem są kontuzjowani czy mniej regularni.
W Indian Wells Chorwat zaskoczył wszystkich nie tylko grą na wysokim poziomie, ale również umiejętnością wygrywania najważniejszych piłek. Pokazał, że do niego presja przy kluczowych momentach już nie trafia i wygrał wszystkie cztery tie breaki jakie zagrał. - Gram bez presji: to było widać. Byłem zrelaksowany przez cały mecz i cieszyłem się faktem, że gram w finale. Możecie się spodziewać czegoś więcej w przyszłości.
Ivan groźny po latach
12 lat kariery, 642 mecze, kilka tysięcy asów, 75 występów na Masters, żona, dom, dziecko, pieluchy - tyle trzeba było, żeby Ivan Ljubicić wygrał w Indian Wells.
Wspaniałe uczucie - uśmiechał się w niedzielę sensacyjny triumfator prestiżowej imprezy w Kalifornii (pula nagród 3,6 mln dol.). Chorwat pokonał w finale 7:6 (7-3), 7:6 (7-5) Andy'ego Roddicka, odebrał czek na 605 tys. dol. i wszedł do historii tenisa. Jako 31-latek wygrał bowiem swój pierwszy w karierze turniej z serii Masters. Żadnemu weteranowi taka sztuka się dotąd nie udała. Jeśli już ktoś triumfował w tym najważniejszym po Szlemach cyklu, to zazwyczaj dużo wcześniej albo wcale. Ostatnim zwycięzcą w Indian Wells z trzydziestką na karku był utytułowany Andre Agassi. Jedynym starszym od Ljubicicia - Jimmy Connors w 1984 r. Też z workiem tytułów na plecach.
Chorwat grał w Kalifornii wprost fenomenalnie. W drodze po tytuł pokonał m.in. Novaka Djokovicia (ATP 2) i Rafaela Nadala (4). Rywali niszczył w tradycyjny dla siebie sposób - atomowym serwisem, ale dokładał do tego ostrą grę w ofensywie.
Wcześniejsze trzy próby wspinaczki na Masters były nieudane. W 2005 r. w finale w Madrycie przegrał z Nadalem, a w Paryżu z Tomasem Berdychem. Rok później w Miami uległ Rogerowi Federerowi. Zajmował wtedy przez chwilę najwyższe w karierze trzecie miejsce na świecie.
Ostatnio sprawiał wrażenie człowieka, który od tenisa raczej się już oddala. W 2008 r. zdecydował się z żoną Aidą na dziecko. Odpuszczał treningi przez liczne kontuzje, ale też żeby więcej przebywać z rodziną. Prężnie działał tylko charytatywnie na rzecz olimpiad specjalnych, wspomagając upośledzonych umysłowo sportowców.
Odrodzenie przyszło nagle i sam Ljubicić, który jako 12-letni chłopak uciekał przed wojną z Bośni, nie potrafił odpowiedzieć, dlaczego nastąpiło akurat teraz. - Ivan uporządkował swoje życie i jest szczęśliwy. Od tego do dobrej formy jest tylko jeden krok - mówił włoski trener Ricardo Piatti, który pracuje z Chorwatem nieprzerwanie od 1997 r.
Ostatnim tenisistą spoza dwudziestki ATP, który triumfował w Masters, był w 2007 r. Argentyńczyk David Nalbandian, w 2007 r. Ljubicić dzięki zwycięstwu przesunął się na 13. miejsce. Do najlepszej dwudziestki wrócił po ponad dwóch latach. - I nie powiedziałem jeszcze ostatniego słowa - mówił w Indian Wells. Wypomniano mu wtedy, że gdy Federerowi urodziły się dzieci, Ljubicić był pierwszym, który przestrzegał: - Nie dasz rady, to inny świat.
- Zmieniłem zdanie. Da się wytrzymać - uśmiechał się teraz.
Konferencja prasowa z Bossem:
Q. You were gracious on court when you spoke about Andy, but some people sort of dismiss his game as just power only. Could you talk about what he brings to the sport of tennis and what you value, what you see?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Exactly what I said. I mean, the amount of energy, the amount of effort he gives not only to every match, but to every practice session that he hits is just remarkable.
I knew I'm talking to my physio, my coach and everybody, and I still feel like both Andy and I are playing at the moment better tennis than when we had our best rankings.
I mean, I think he's playing much better tennis than when he was No. 1 in the world in 2003. I think I'm playing better tennis now than in 2006 when I was No. 3 in the world.
It's just that these young guys are incredibly fit and good. The fact that he is there in top 10 for 30 years or that's exaggerating, but it's there for a long, long, long time. A lot of people would say only with the serve, but that's not true.
You can't be top 10 for 10 years only with the serve. He's incredible competitor, and I'm of course Roger is my friend, but I really feel sorry for Andy not winning that Wimbledon.
Because as I deserved to have won one Masters 1000 title, he definitely deserves to have one Wimbledon title. He is after Roger the best grass court player that we have in this generation.
And this question is mine:
Q. You speak with a lot of respect for Andy Roddick; you call Roger Federer your friend. In the past in tennis, relationships between players have often been much more fractious. We hear Nadal speak of Federer and Federer speak well of his fellow players. What do you attribute the change in atmosphere to?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I think there's huge respect between us. I mean, I don't know what was happening before and why the guys were not respectful to each other, or if that's actually true. Because I'm not sure.
Of course, you know, I was really close to Goran, so he was very respectful for some guys, but not for all of them.
But the fact is that I think Roger himself brings a lot, you know, of that to all of us. I mean, he kind of the fact that he won the Stefan Edberg Award for so many years that's been voted by the players as the most fair player on tour, being No. 1, kind of guys, young guys how to behave in the locker room, on court, you know, in the press room.
He's the leader. Obviously he's our leader. I think, you know, because we have him as a leader we all try to respect each other. I think Rafa and him showed a lot how, you know, two champions should, you know, respect each other.
I just respect everybody out there. I think, you know, whoever is there is there for a reason, and everybody's different. We all know that. But doesn't mean that you shouldn't like somebody or shouldn't respect that.
I think it's great actually to have different personalities like Roger, Rafa, Novak, and Andy, all four of them even Andy Murray; he's different. Everybody's different.
I mean, for myself, I can only talk for myself. My life learned me I should respect everybody because everybody's different. That's the way it is at the moment.
I don't know if next generation is gonna be like that, but I think we should be proud of what we have in the locker room at the moment.
Koszmarna kontuzja Ivana Ljubicica ponoć. :] Na korcie było bardzo dramatycznie, Chorwat ponoć leżał 15 minut na korcie, nie mogąc się podnieść. Ból pojawił się po jednym z potężnych serwisów. Zabolało w dolnych okolicach pleców. Nie jest dobrze. :]
US Open 2010 - wywiad po porażce w 1 rundzie
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Was the serve the biggest problem?
IVAN LJUBICIC: No.
Q. What was the biggest problem?
IVAN LJUBICIC: The weather. The weather was my biggest enemy today. I mean, throughout my career I struggled with the heat. I'm not really coping really well with that, and I tried all kind of different tactics to deal with it. I never find the right one. So today was no different. Then everything else just comes together. I mean, I was not returning well, serving well, and Ryan was on top of his game. When everything gets together, it was pretty comfortable win for him.
Q. What is your issue with the heat? Do you sweat too much?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I sweat a lot, and I just feel really bad. I mean, I can't move, I can't it's just it gets to me really quickly actually. Already in the first set I was struggling with it. It's really physical problem.
Q. Would you be in favor of a heat rule for the men?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I would be in favor of indoor tour altogether, if you ask me. (Laughter.)
Q. No, but seriously, would you...
IVAN LJUBICIC: No, I mean, we saw some players struggling big time, and there is like comments say it's the same thing for everybody, but really not. Somebody is struggling more than others, and I think it's just not fun. I think people out there are coming to see good tennis, and, you know, days like this, it's all about everything except tennis, you know. It's just trying to hang in there and hit some balls more on the court than the other guy or other girl, whoever plays.
Q. Would a break help, 10 minute break?
IVAN LJUBICIC: A break doesn't really help. Australia they have a pretty good rule. When it's too hot, you just don't play. I think that's something that it's sensitive. Now it's where is the limit, that's something that you, you know, the officials need to decide. But, again, some tournaments we have it; some tournaments we don't. When we don't, we have to deal with it, who can, who cannot. That's it. Life goes on.
Q. Hardcourts make it worse?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Definitely. I mean, the concrete, it's just brutal. I mean, you get heat not from not only from the sky, but also from the bottom. So it's definitely not helping.
Q. You've faced him before. What does he do well? He seems to mix it up pretty well.
IVAN LJUBICIC: We played at Indian Wells, but the conditions there are very different. It was much slower court, and it was easier for me to handle him from the baseline. Today was very quick court, and then he played definitely more solid today than he was in Indian Wells. He's 18 year old kid. He definitely is gonna play every day better and better.
Q. Here in the States, we're always looking for the next great player. He's 18 and one of the kids that's talked about. Obviously it's hard to gauge somebody's potential at 18.
IVAN LJUBICIC: I'm really not good in that. I would never say that some top guys did what they did, and other way around. So I would really try not to make any comments of that. But he's definitely good, good player. I mean, he qualified here, which is, I think, great for him. You know, not just to get wildcards left and right whenever he needs and really try to struggle through the quallies. That definitely helped him for today's match, as well.
Q. Are you playing next year? Have you made that decision?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I haven't made that decision yet, no.
Q. Is it in the balance, or how's it looking for you at this point?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I don't know. If I find the right motivation to work hard and go back there and compete, I will. But, I mean, you know, it's not like I'm thinking about it. I just want to do this season and then take a nice, long break and then see what then, you know. There's time to make those decisions.
Q. Do you think if you hadn't won at Indian Wells that that decision would be kind of made by now?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I wouldn't think that I would or I'm gonna make that decision based on my performance. It's just really about motivation, if you're able to go out there and work hard other than play. Because playing, it's never a problem. It's really, you know, that December workout for four, five weeks that you basically never touch the ball and you have to do all the physical work. That's something that it's -- you gonna feel it. I think you gonna feel it if you're up or not for the next season. So we'll see.
Q. You're a veteran. I'm wondering if through the years the amount of hair gel players are using has increased.
IVAN LJUBICIC: Well, it's definitely a problem. (Laughter.) No, the guys are it's difficult. The older you get, the more difficult it is, of course.
Q. But are you surprised? I mean, when you came on tour, did you see that there was as much use of that as there is today?
IVAN LJUBICIC: No. Well, depends of the mentality of the player. Doesn't really mean you know, some guys are really careful how they look. The others don't. So it's up to them. For me, it's not about a look, but it's not like I have something to play with. (Laughter.)
29.10.2010r. - 400 zwycięstwo Ivana w karierze!
Ivan Ljubicic odnosi swoje 400 zwycięstwo w Tourze. Nieszczęśnikiem, który przegrał w historycznym spotkaniu Ljubo, był Jarko Nieminen z Finlandii. Chorwat wygrał z dobrze dysponowanym w ostatnim okresie przeciwnikiem 4-6 6-3 7-6. Warto dodać, iż 31 letni Chorwat urodzony w Banja Luce, w trakcie meczu musiał zmagać się nie tylko z przeciwnikiem, ale również z gasnącymi reflektorami. W 3 secie przy stanie 3-2 dla Nieminena i serwisie Ljubicicia w nowo wybudowanej hali zgasło światło. Panowie musieli poczekać kilka minut na rozpoczęcie spotkania. Kto wie, może właśnie ta przerwa dodała Ivanowi sił na wygranie końcówki - jak się potem okazało - historycznego spotkania w jego karierze? ;-)
Gratulacje! :applause:
The Last Word: ATP No. 17, Ivan Ljubicic
No one could stop Ljubicic at Indian Wells.
Best of 2010
Ljubicic amassed 1,965 ranking points this season, and over half of them were earned at one tournament—Indian Wells. The veteran eased into the event with a bye and wins over Ryan Harrison and Brian Dabul, then took out four big boys—Novak Djokovic, Juan Monaco, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick—to claim his first Masters shield.
Worst of 2010
Harrison exacted revenge on Ljubicic when they met five months later at the U.S. Open. The young American won in four sets as Ljubicic suffered his second consecutive first-round loss at a Slam. At Wimbledon, he was upset by Michal Przysiezny in straights.
Year in Review
Aside from a late-season push (semis of Beijing, semis of Stockholm, final of Montpellier) and his unlikely title run in Indian Wells, it was a forgettable season for Ljubicic. But no one will remember the summertime losses. They’ll instead recall Ljubicic’s moment in the sun, when even Rafa couldn't rattle him. Ljubicic is the Francesca Schiavone of the ATP tour, with less hair. It all came together for her in Paris, just like it did for the Croat in California.
See for Yourself
Ljubicic used his massive serve and formidable groundstrokes to work wonders against Nadal, his toughest opponent at Indian Wells:
The Last Word
As he proved this spring, Ljubicic is still a tough out when his shots find their marks. He possesses a deceptively strong one-handed backhand and can unload with his forehand and serve. He’ll never be reliable in best-of-five set action: He turns 32 in March, and his opponents get enough time to figure him out. But on a fast court, in best-of-three set play, Ljubicic can’t be taken lightly.
—Ed McGrogan
2010 w liczbach
Ranking: 17
Tytuły: 1 (Indian Wells)
Finały: 1 (Montpellier)
Bilans gier: 26-19
Zarobki: $1,251,619
RG 2011 - konferencja po porażce w 4 rundzie.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/multi … 001e2.html