Can anyone remember this incident?

roundiesee

Hall of Fame
Can anyone remember what happened in 2006? Why was Rafa so angry with Ivan?

Question to Ivan Ljubicic-

Which locker room joke do you regret?
I’d actually say I regret certain press conferences. Particularly the one after my semi-final in 2006 here against Rafa. He’s still mad about it, six years later. I still don’t know what I could have said for him to still be so upset even today and still hold it against me. But, that’s Rafa, that’s just how he is.

Here's the link-
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2012-05-27/201205271338115174793.html
 
D

Deleted member 22147

Guest
Ljubicic was probably referring to the fact that Roland Garros was the only slam eluding Federer in completing the Career Slam and a possible Calender Slam.
 

CMM

Legend
He might be a nice guy but sometimes he makes silly comments.
A few weeks ago he criticized Fish and other American players on twitter for not showing up at the clay court events.

Fish-responds-to-Ljubicic.png


Ljubicic deleted his twitter account after this.
 

vive le beau jeu !

Talk Tennis Guru
Can anyone remember what happened in 2006? Why was Rafa so angry with Ivan?

Question to Ivan Ljubicic-

Which locker room joke do you regret?
I’d actually say I regret certain press conferences. Particularly the one after my semi-final in 2006 here against Rafa. He’s still mad about it, six years later. I still don’t know what I could have said for him to still be so upset even today and still hold it against me. But, that’s Rafa, that’s just how he is.

Here's the link-
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2012-05-27/201205271338115174793.html
he just stated the obvious... that was a great press conference.
 

Cormorant

Professional
When Ivan made three out of four masters finals in a row he said something along the lines of, "I feel like the real number two." I don't know how serious he was and if there was any flippancy in the statement, but some people took it seriously and perhaps Nadal(who was #2 back in 2006, obviously) was one of them.
 
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Deleted member 22147

Guest
When Ivan made three out of four masters finals in a row he said something along the lines of, "I feel like the real number two." I don't know how serious he was and if there was any flippancy in the statement, but some people took it seriously and perhaps Nadal(who was #2 back in 2006, obviously) was one of them.

Ljubicic never labelled himself that, some fans did. Nadal was holding a slam and 4 masters series titles, he's not that stupid.
 

Cormorant

Professional
Ljubicic never labelled himself that, some fans did. Nadal was holding a slam and 4 masters series titles, he's not that stupid.

In Miami '06, he was quoted as saying it and I read it at the time.

But not having heard him say it, I don't know if he was speaking emotionally or not.
 
D

Deleted member 22147

Guest
In Miami '06, he was quoted as saying it and I read it at the time.

But not having heard him say it, I don't know if he was speaking emotionally or not.

You're right. I love Ivan Ljubicic but yes, ridiculous thing to say.

Ljubicic feels ready for Federer
By Jamey Eisenberg

Thursday, March 30, 2006

KEY BISCAYNE — Ivan Ljubicic feels so confident right now that he's ready to challenge Roger Federer as the best player in the world.

Ljubicic, the No. 6 seed, advanced to the semifinals at the Nasdaq-100 Open on Wednesday after beating unseeded Agustin Calleri 7-6 (4), 6-3. He is now 24-3 this year, which is second on the men's tour in victories behind Federer's 25.


Ljubicic and Federer could meet in the final Sunday, and Ljubicic is talking as if he's the challenger to Federer's top status, ahead of such players as Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick.

"Definitely, I feel like the No. 2 player in the world," said Ljubicic, who has won two titles this year. "It's not a secret. It's not just the feeling. Also, I think the numbers are showing the same way."

Ljubicic overpowered Calleri with his serve. Ljubicic hit 14 aces, won 36 of 37 points on his first serve and never faced a break point. He credits Goran Ivanisevic, his friend and fellow Croatian, with honing his serve and says he mimics the way the former Wimbledon champion used his legs to add power to it.

Ljubicic will face No. 3 seed David Nalbandian on Friday after Nalbandian beat No. 22 seed Mario Ancic 6-2, 6-2. Nalbandian is another player ahead of Ljubicic in the rankings, but that doesn't matter to Ljubicic, who said he is not upset that most Americans don't realize how well he is playing.

"I don't like too much attention," Ljubicic said. "I of course appreciate it. And if I play well, of course, I'm going to earn that attention. I'm going to earn center-court appearances."
 

Slice&Smash

Rookie
Really??... Humbalito is still bitter after 6 years because someone said they prefer Federer to win the FO final?

Surprising, no?
 
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Emet74

Professional
I googled and here's what I found:

Ljubicic angered by Nadal tactics

Ivan Ljubicic was unimpressed by some of Rafael Nadal's tactics in their French Open semi-final on Friday.

The Croatian was unhappy with how long Nadal took between points and said most players want Roger Federer to win the final on Sunday.

"It's ridiculous how much time he takes between points," said Ljubicic.

"I think the umpire should be more aggressive on that because they gave him one time violation but it didn't seem to change anything."

And Ljubicic, who lost 6-4 6-2 7-6 (9-7), made it clear where his support will be going come Sunday afternoon.

I would love to see Roger winning," he said. "Everyone in the locker room would.

"He's the best player ever in tennis so it would be nice to see him lifting the trophy here."

Nadal was unconcerned by Ljubicic's comments, saying: "You've got to learn to control yourself when you lose a match, you can't just go about saying anything."

He added: "I've been on the circuit for many years, and I've never had any problems with anybody.

"I've always behaved properly so I'll go on behaving the way I behave, and I'm very happy the way I relate to other people."

And the suggestion that the other players will be backing Federer was also brushed off by the Spaniard.

"Those comments don't bother me because I'm relaxed," he said. "I know that things are fine, and it's not because Ljubicic says that that it's necessarily true.

"A lot of people want me to win, I'm very relaxed and I'm playing well."
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
So this comment upset Rafael for six years...

Ivan Ljubicic feels so confident right now that he's ready to challenge Roger Federer as the best player in the world

Just when you thought you had seen everything :rollseyes:
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
He added: "I've been on the circuit for many years, and I've never had any problems with anybody.
That's actually a universal line when you complain about something wrong. The first person is always told that no one else has ever complained. People and companies can keep repeating this line (no one has ever complained) forever.

"A lot of people want me to win, I'm very relaxed and I'm playing well."

Yup, Tio Toni and family surely.

Props to Ivan for speaking up.
 
1

1970CRBase

Guest
He’s still mad about it, six years later. I still don’t know what I could have said for him to still be so upset even today and still hold it against me. But, that’s Rafa, that’s just how he is.

So that is not what Nadal says, only what he alleges.

If I were Nadal, I wouldn't dignify this. If the reporters bring this up at a press conference, Nadal should have the sense to just brush it aside with : "Ivan who?"
 

OddJack

G.O.A.T.
Lubi shouldnt have made those comments in a press conference and certainly shouldnt have talked for every other player.

But 3 things

1- His anger for having to wait too long between point is understandable and consider that this is still going on to this date
2- I wouldnt say all, but I would agree most of the players prefer a guy like Rodge over Rafa's personality. No one likes to have a bully around. Plus remember that in those days Rafa was more of a pusher than he is today.
3- It tells you something about Rafa's personality. The way he holds grudge and wouldnt forget or forgive even after someone says he is sorry aoubt it. Certainly not a "humble" behavior as he likes to project.-
 
Yeah, but in general, it's not very nice to hold something someone said after a match against him 6 years later. It was a silly comment from Ljubicic, but pretty innocent as well.

Why is it not nice? If you don't like someone, you don't like someone. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone has to act like a forgiving sissy.
 

jelle v

Hall of Fame
Ah Nadal.. bittered as ever, but so politically correct in the media. If they were ever going to cast tennis players for a Batman movie, Nadal would be really suited for the role of Two Face.
 
Ah Nadal.. bittered as ever, but so politically correct in the media. If they were ever going to cast tennis players for a Batman movie, Nadal would be really suited for the role of Two Face.

LOL, what kind of person likes every player? Why be nice to fools?
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
Why is it not nice? If you don't like someone, you don't like someone. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone has to act like a forgiving sissy.
Lawl. It takes strength to forgive. It's children who take things personally and therefore hold grudges for a long time.

I can see which side you would take quite clearly!:)
 
Lawl. It takes strength to forgive. It's children who take things personally and therefore hold grudges for a long time.

I can see which side you would take quite clearly!:)

I shall now find the strength to not be annoyed with NSK anymore and retire this nonsense account (wouldn't mind the mods banning this). Was meant to be a parody acc but the guy alone is enough of a joke.

Goodbye *picks butt on the way out*
 

Cormorant

Professional
"Definitely, I feel like the No. 2 player in the world," said Ljubicic, who has won two titles this year. "It's not a secret. It's not just the feeling. Also, I think the numbers are showing the same way."

When he said this, he was number 2 in the race after the first three months of the season, and maybe he was also encouraged about all the doubts at the time over the longevity of Nadal's body.
 
You're still missing the point, but don't bother any longer trying to get it, it's a waste of both our time.

You never had a point, you just called Nadal a 2-face for not liking Ljubicic and being politically correct to the media. Who behaves in a politically correct way to peers/colleagues?
 
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I shall now find the strength to not be annoyed with NSK anymore and retire this nonsense account (wouldn't mind the mods banning this). Was meant to be a parody acc but the guy alone is enough of a joke.

Goodbye *picks butt on the way out*

Winner by KNOCKOUT and STILL undefeated.....

NADAL...

SLAM...

KIIIIIIING

image.php


Another one bites the dust!
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
Yeah, but in general, it's not very nice to hold something someone said after a match against him 6 years later. It was a silly comment from Ljubicic, but pretty innocent as well.

Was it innocent? Ljubicic said that he felt like the world number 2 at a time when world number 2 Nadal was French Open champion and the holder of 4 masters series titles. Ljubicic said after Nadal beat him in the 2006 French Open semi finals that Nadal was slow between points and then said that "the whole locker room" would like to see Federer win. How would you feel in Nadal's shoes after those comments? It sounds hostile to me. In fact, come to think of it, the stick Nadal was getting at that time was disgraceful. He dared to challenge the mighty Federer and stop him becoming French Open champion.
 
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Mainad

Bionic Poster
When Ivan made three out of four masters finals in a row he said something along the lines of, "I feel like the real number two." I don't know how serious he was and if there was any flippancy in the statement, but some people took it seriously and perhaps Nadal(who was #2 back in 2006, obviously) was one of them.

He was on a real roll that year and playing some of his best ever tennis. He just cruised through Miami but lost the final to Federer in 3 tight set tie-breakers. Fed, of course, was at the peak of his game at that time. Ironically, after making 3 out of 4 Masters finals in a row, it was to be another 4 years before Ljubicic made the finals of another Masters 1000, when he was nearing the end of his career, at Indian Wells where this time he finally secured his Masters shield in another tight two tight set tie-breaker final v Andy Roddick, another veteran who was also playing some of the last good tennis of his career.

2006 was also the year Ljubicic made his only ever Slam semi-final, at Roland Garros. He lost to Nadal and that's when he made his rather tactless comment about all the players hoping for a Federer win in the final. I can see why Rafa was annoyed about it. That wasn't the only time they clashed though and there does seem to be a bit of a history of bad blood between them. Any lingering resentment Nadal still feels is probably not just down to that one incident. It's likely that Ljubicic and Nadal will never be on each other's favourite players lists. They just rubbed each other up the wrong way, a bit like Federer and Djokovic perhaps.
 

moonpie

New User
Ljubi has been critical of other players. I remember Nalby winning the WTF and getting the #3 ranking. Ljubi had a pretty good record against Nalby and he said in a presser that he was the real #3. Just seemed a little disrespectful of a fellow players accomplishment.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
In fact, come to think of it, the stick Nadal was getting at that time was disgraceful. He dared to challenge the mighty Federer and stop him becoming French Open champion.

It's a tribute to Nadal's sheer mental toughness that he managed to shrug off all these rather negative vibes and comments, dug his heels in and went on to defend his FO title and, with one exception, go on defending it ever since.

Without a doubt, Nadal has to be one of the mentally, as well as physically, toughest guys ever to play tennis!
 
This along with the comments he made recently about Americans skipping clay events, it seems as if Ljub isn't quite the 'nice guy' people want to portray him as. Not saying he's a pr ick, but he tends to put his foot in his mouth a lot it seems.

I'd still hold a grudge too if I was Nadal. LOL at Ljub trying to play Mr. Innocent. "I still don't know what I could've said..." Saying that everyone wants Fed to win, saying you're the real #2, calling him out for time wasting after a loss, that couldn't be it, no?
 
D

Deleted member 21996

Guest
Why is it not nice? If you don't like someone, you don't like someone. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone has to act like a forgiving sissy.

but we all thought Nadal was the most humble down to earth candid guy on tour.

but then, we see him asking for more money, sending death glares, meancing tournament organizers, asking for less work... one has to wonder. is he in fact a greedy uneducated dooosh?:confused:
 

Clarky21

Banned
This along with the comments he made recently about Americans skipping clay events, it seems as if Ljub isn't quite the 'nice guy' people want to portray him as. Not saying he's a pr ick, but he tends to put his foot in his mouth a lot it seems.

I'd still hold a grudge too if I was Nadal. LOL at Ljub trying to play Mr. Innocent. "I still don't know what I could've said..." Saying that everyone wants Fed to win, saying you're the real #2, calling him out for time wasting after a loss, that couldn't be it, no?


Me too. Ljubicic has a smart mouth,and needs to learn to shut it. Hilarious the people on here defending these types of comments from this guy. Never in a million years would Nadal get away with saying this kind of crap. The folks on here would want to see him hanged at dawn for such grievances,but since Ljubicic is a well known Fed boot licker,his comments are justified. I wonder what the reaction would be if he had said these things about Fed? I can bet if he had,Ivan would have to move into the witness protection program,and do so stat.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Lube was another mental slave of Fed. Players like Rafa and Djokovic refused to be like that, and see how successful they are against Fed.
 

BeHappy

Hall of Fame
Can anyone remember what happened in 2006? Why was Rafa so angry with Ivan?

Question to Ivan Ljubicic-

Which locker room joke do you regret?
I’d actually say I regret certain press conferences. Particularly the one after my semi-final in 2006 here against Rafa. He’s still mad about it, six years later. I still don’t know what I could have said for him to still be so upset even today and still hold it against me. But, that’s Rafa, that’s just how he is.

Here's the link-
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2012-05-27/201205271338115174793.html


I remember it very well:

Nadal used to take 1-2 minutes between serves when he was under pressure (really!).

Lubijic was putting Nadal under serious pressure in the semi final of RG that year. He was very good back then, no.3 in the world etc. Nadal engaged in all his gamesmanship and Lubikic wasn't happy. It took Nadal 4 tight sets to win even with the gamesmanship and Lubijic actually might have won if Nadal hadn't taken so long between serves.

Anyway, after the match in the press conference Lubijiic said of Nadal: "He is a joke, he has no class and no one in the locker room likes him".

No one really liked Nadal back then because he was just a cheating grinder (back then) who used to beat Federer purely because of a lucky match up. Federer was actually much more dominant on clay against everyone else back then. I guess that's why it wasn't such a big deal when Lubijic said that, everyone just thought they were both two jerks.

It was 2007 Nadal started hitting monster forehands and stopped with the gamesmanship.

Here's the interesting thing, after Lubikic lost to Roddick at the USO in 2003 (the crowd was on his case big time in that match), guess what he said about Roddick?
"He is a joke, he has no class and no one in the locker room likes him".



Lubijic is a very immature sore loser. I don't know how he got so respected by tennis fans or his peers in the last 3-4 years.
 
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but we all thought Nadal was the most humble down to earth candid guy on tour.

but then, we see him asking for more money, sending death glares, meancing tournament organizers, asking for less work... one has to wonder. is he in fact a greedy uneducated dooosh?:confused:

You have a problem with a tennis player having an opinion? How is being honest a bad thing?

Nadal is way better than me and you. We can only wish to be as classy as Nadal.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
I remember it very well:
Lubijic was putting Nadal under serious pressure in the semi final of RG that year. He was very good back then, no.3 in the world etc. Nadal engaged in all his gamesmanship and Lubikic wasn't happy. It took Nadal 4 tight sets to win even with the gamesmanship and Lubijic actually might have won if Nadal hadn't taken so long between serves.

Nadal beat him in straights at the 2006 FO semi-final 6-4,6-2,7-6.

Lubijic is a very immature sore loser. I don't know how he got so respected by tennis fans or his peers in the last 3-4 years.

Some players seem to get him on his nerves. Nadal is certainly one of them.
 

Evan77

Banned
You have a problem with a tennis player having an opinion? How is being honest a bad thing?

Nadal is way better than me and you. We can only wish to be as classy as Nadal.
lol, I can't believe this. hahah, Nadal can hardly speak any English, he is a buttpicker, OCD with his bottles, his ego is huge, yet he pretends to be humble... and you call that classy ...

and when you say 'we can only wish to be as classy', I just had to puke ... let me go brush my teeth now ...
 
D

Deleted member 21996

Guest
You have a problem with a tennis player having an opinion? How is being honest a bad thing?

Nadal is way better than me and you. We can only wish to be as classy as Nadal.

i agree. i will curve down myself to receive the apropriate beatings for having to study my way thru life instead of just beeing a brainless hacker with a talent for pushing a ball with stick!

Now that is epitome of class!!
 
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Mainad

Bionic Poster
lol, I can't believe this. hahah, Nadal can hardly speak any English

So what? His Spanish is excellent!

he is a buttpicker

So what? Roddick and Murray like to adjust their fronts!

OCD with his bottles, his ego is huge, yet he pretends to be humble

So he likes to arrange his bottles, so what? As for huge ego...see also Federer and Djokovic. And when does he 'pretend' to be humble?
 
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WhiskeyEE

G.O.A.T.
Nadal is still mad because what Ljubicic said is true and the truth hurts.

I don't know what he expected though. Did he really think that his gimmicky manufactured image and autistic personality would make him popular in the locker room?

Funny that even other players can't stand this guy.
 
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