What Djokovic ACTUALLY said about Federer

[jm1980]

Here is what Djokovic actually said (Source: ATP website):

“If I get to play Roger, it's the ultimate final that right now I can have,” Djokovic said as he waited for his opponent to be determined. “[He is] probably the player that is in the best form. In the last 12 months, he's been playing some of his best tennis.”

"Some of his best tennis" is not exactly "best tennis of his career."

Clearly, the writer of the Le Monde article has an agenda, with his fanboyism shining when he calls Federer "King Roger" (seriously, someone actually wrote that in an article! :lol. So do some posters here who went on to post about 300 comments on something Novak never said.

 

[Steve0904]

But this is no fun at all!!! I like the other thread better. :twisted:

 

[RF-18]

Yeah, this was mentioned in the thread yesterday, that his words got put out of context. But it seems like that threas is still a hot topic, and some have still not realized what was actually said.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Here is what Djokovic actually said (Source: ATP website):



"Some of his best tennis" is not exactly "best tennis of his career."

Clearly, the writer of the Le Monde article has an agenda, with his fanboyism shining when he calls Federer "King Roger" (seriously, someone actually wrote that in an article! :lol. So do some posters here who went on to post about 300 comments on something Novak never said.

Good find. I think the matter is still very open for interpretation. I mean "some of his best tennis" still implies that he is at or above the level of his peak years. You are right to point out that Lemonde says "le meilleur tennis de sa carriere" ("the best tennis of his career") which is a creative translation of the statement to say the least. Then again, Novak speaks fluent French, so can we be 100% certain that the original statement was in English and not French?

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

"Some of his best tennis" is not exactly "best tennis of his career."

not exactly, indeed...

 

[jm1980]

Good find. I think the matter is still very open for interpretation. I mean "some of his best tennis" still implies that he is at or above the level of his peak years. You are right to point out that Lemonde says "le meilleur tennis de sa carriere" ("the best tennis of his career") which is a creative translation of the statement to say the least. Then again, Novak speaks fluent French, so can we be 100% certain that the original statement was in English and not French?

It was an interview he gave in Indian Wells. There's no reason for him to speak French there.

This is very creative from the translator though. "Some of his best tennis" sounds like a standard thing most guys at the top would say about their opponents before they play them. It's certainly a far cry from "the best tennis of his career."

 

[NatF]

You can blame nutjobs like Vero for extended the thread by defending her ludicrous 4 months vs year long comparison.

 

[tennisaddict]

English is not Novak's first language. 'Some of his best tennis' in Serbian probably means 'not bad for age 34'.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

English is not Novak's first language. 'Some of his best tennis' in Serbian probably means 'not bad for age 34'.

Lol. Seriously though, as many pointed out in the sister thread to this, Novak is in a tough predicament. He had just been beaten handily by Fed in Dubai and wanted to be complimentary and respectful. He also wanted to prepare himself for the best Fed possible. If he were to remark that Fed was "washed up" he would be the opposite of respectful and furthermore would only hurt his chances psychologically.

I do think Novak believes that tennis has evolved during his reign and that he has been part of that evolution.

 

[TheMusicLover]

English is not Novak's first language. 'Some of his best tennis' in Serbian probably means 'not bad for age 34'.

I have no knowledge of Serbian at all, but for sure that's what it would mean in my first language.

 

[beast of mallorca]

Here is what Djokovic actually said (Source: ATP website):



"Some of his best tennis" is not exactly "best tennis of his career."

Clearly, the writer of the Le Monde article has an agenda, with his fanboyism shining when he calls Federer "King Roger" (seriously, someone actually wrote that in an article! :lol. So do some posters here who went on to post about 300 comments on something Novak never said.

Will you please stop being a self righteous pants for a minute !! You're no fun

 

[jg153040]

English is not Novak's first language. 'Some of his best tennis' in Serbian probably means 'not bad for age 34'.

That's a good point. In Serbian there is no equivalent expression to 'Some of his best tennis'.

He meant, like you've said: Nije loše za deda .

 

[makiiie]

Novak had to give a politically correct statement and respect to Fed. I would read it as a politically correct, neutral to mild praise type of statement, rather than some backhanded insult.

Playing some of the best tennis of his career, meaning he was up until Indian Wales (when this statement was issued) at least appearing to be getting better and better (from that big drop in 2011 and injury he had), swaggering with his new stick ,playing pretty well.
People are seeing something that just isn't there.

 

[veroniquem]

Here is what Djokovic actually said (Source: ATP website):



"Some of his best tennis" is not exactly "best tennis of his career."

He said nothing controversial. Fed has been playing great lately and his hard court stats are sky high.
Some of his best tennis means exactly what it says: some of the best tennis of his career.

 

[ultradr]

It's possible that Federer had easier time between 2003-2007.

There was abrupt surface changes between 2003-2004 and lots of players had to re-shape their game.
Federer quickly adjusted and set the standard on modern baseline game.
Now everybody can do it and not easy to dominate.

 

[TMF]

Don't assume

He said nothing controversial. Fed has been playing great lately and his hard court stats are sky high.
Some of his best tennis means exactly what it says: some of the best tennis of his career.

Some of his best tennis could also means his best tennis in his 30s.

Or it could also means his best tennis since his wife 2nd twins were born.

 

[veroniquem]

Some of his best tennis could also means his best tennis in his 30s.

Or it could also means his best tennis since his wife 2nd twins were born.

If he had meant that, he would have said that. Some of his best tennis is clear enough.

 

[Krish872007]

Thanks for clearing that up because we all had absolutely no idea. Great to repeatedly analyse something that was said over a month ago as well.

 

[NatF]

Some of his best tennis is irrelevant when he used to play it all the time

 

[Mainad]

What Djokovic ACTUALLY said about Federer was that he is an old git who still thinks its 2005 and who should have hung his racquet up after he won his 17th Slam at Wimbledon 3 years ago. He added that he was hell-bent on breaking Fed's Slam record and being number #1 for longer and thus overtake him in the GOAT stakes!

But it all got lost a bit in translation! :wink:

 

[TMF]

If he had meant that, he would have said that. Some of his best tennis is clear enough.

But he didn't say that.

Saying he's playing his best tennis right is like saying Nadal is playing his best tennis right now even though he's 5 years younger.

 

[Feather]

Some of his best tennis could also means his best tennis in his 30s.

Or it could also means his best tennis since his wife 2nd twins were born.

There is nothing wrong in the statement of Djokovic. "Some of his best Tennis" is a fine comment. It doesn't mean his best Tennis is in his 30s.

 

[90's Clay]

If I get to play Roger, it's the ultimate final that right now I can have,”

Bascially he just admitted the men's field SUCKS right there. The fact that facing a 34 year old is the "ultimate final he can have right now?"



I think Nole needs to just keep his thoughts to himself

 

[Sentinel]

Welcome to TT where we discuss what players did not say !

What Djokovic ACTUALLY said about Federer was that he is an old git who still thinks its 2005 and who should have hung his racquet up after he won his 17th Slam at Wimbledon 3 years ago. He added that he was hell-bent on breaking Fed's Slam record and being number #1 for longer and thus overtake him in the GOAT stakes!

But it all got lost a bit in translation! :wink:

Haha.

I suspect he also muttered some cusses for Federer spoiling what would have been a Career Grand Slam in 2011.

 

[ruerooo]

Here is what Djokovic actually said (Source: ATP website):



"Some of his best tennis" is not exactly "best tennis of his career."

Clearly, the writer of the Le Monde article has an agenda, with his fanboyism shining when he calls Federer "King Roger" (seriously, someone actually wrote that in an article! :lol. So do some posters here who went on to post about 300 comments on something Novak never said.

Your link is dead.

 

[Mick]

maybe Federer got better with age because in 2013, Djokovic said Federer was moving slower than he used to move

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2487384/Roger-Federer-slow-says-Novak-Djokovic.html

 

[Feather]

maybe Federer got better with age because in 2013, Djokovic said Federer was moving slower than he used to move

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2487384/Roger-Federer-slow-says-Novak-Djokovic.html

:lol: :lol:

So as a Roger Federer fan, I can expect a CYGS in 2017 :twisted:

 

[Gary Duane]

maybe Federer got better with age because in 2013, Djokovic said Federer was moving slower than he used to move

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2487384/Roger-Federer-slow-says-Novak-Djokovic.html

Or maybe he was right then, and he is right now.

He was slower in 2013. It doesn't matter why.

He moved much better in 2014 and challenged for #1, almost won W.

I think these top players are pretty accurate in assessing each other.

 

[TMF]

There is nothing wrong in the statement of Djokovic. "Some of his best Tennis" is a fine comment. It doesn't mean his best Tennis is in his 30s.

I never said his comment was wrong. It's just that "his best tennis" is too simple to conclude what he actually mean.