London: As the big names fell on a day that was almost overshadowed by player ructions on the ATP player council, it was some relief to know that Novak Djokovic will still be alive come the second round of Wimbledon on Wednesday.
While the fresh strawberries and cream and bottles of bubbly were being enjoyed by the public, many of the men's top players were questioned more about their off-court fight for change than their on-court prowess.
That came after what Djokovic said had been a "turbulent" meeting over the weekend on the player council board, on which he has a seat. There had been four resignations, with the shadow of disgraced tennis administrator Justin Gimelstob still prevalent, amid a fight for better pay.
"But I'm glad that at least majority of the players stayed in the council after the meeting was done a couple days ago. I did say that I understand the players that have resigned … a turbulent meeting, if I may call it that way," Djokovic said.
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"We [are] all there try to volunteer and contribute as much as we can for positive change in our sport."
While that remains a work in progress, Djokovic appeared at the top of his game in dispensing Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 on centre court. On the fresh grass not yet worn by players or heat, Djokovic dropped his opening service game but soon showed why is the defending champion – and the man to beat here.
He remains a figure of intrigue, and his press conferences almost always have a lighter moment, such as when he was asked to recall the role he had as a teenager in helping Goran Ivanisevic to his 2001 Wimbledon title over Australian Pat Rafter.
"Didn't he tell you that was essential for his win here in Wimbledon, me bringing him the snacks," Djokovic asked a reporter, sending the room into laughter.
"Actually, that's what happened. He was in the Niki Pilic Tennis Academy in Germany, where I had spent quite a lot of time between age of 12 and 16. It happened to be that famous 2001 when he received the wildcard here in Wimbledon, and he came over to the academy for several weeks.
"I had the permission to approach him while he was training and to bring him some snacks because he was hungry, training a lot. Of course, I was there every time he was on the court. I was observing, learning, watching, supporting.
"Niki, who is my tennis father, as I like to call him, had a big influence in his career, in his life as well. There was this connection early on already. Yeah, I think those snacks really made the difference for him in Wimbledon."
It's now Ivanisevic's turn to help provide sustenance of a kind for Djokovic, who has previously had Boris Becker and Andre Agassi fill similar roles. Ivanisevic will be part coach, part mind whisperer for the 15-time grand slam winner.
"He's someone I've always looked up [to], he was something of a hero of mine and we've beRead More – Source
London: As the big names fell on a day that was almost overshadowed by player ructions on the ATP player council, it was some relief to know that Novak Djokovic will still be alive come the second round of Wimbledon on Wednesday.
While the fresh strawberries and cream and bottles of bubbly were being enjoyed by the public, many of the men's top players were questioned more about their off-court fight for change than their on-court prowess.
That came after what Djokovic said had been a "turbulent" meeting over the weekend on the player council board, on which he has a seat. There had been four resignations, with the shadow of disgraced tennis administrator Justin Gimelstob still prevalent, amid a fight for better pay.
"But I'm glad that at least majority of the players stayed in the council after the meeting was done a couple days ago. I did say that I understand the players that have resigned … a turbulent meeting, if I may call it that way," Djokovic said.
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"We [are] all there try to volunteer and contribute as much as we can for positive change in our sport."
While that remains a work in progress, Djokovic appeared at the top of his game in dispensing Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 on centre court. On the fresh grass not yet worn by players or heat, Djokovic dropped his opening service game but soon showed why is the defending champion – and the man to beat here.
He remains a figure of intrigue, and his press conferences almost always have a lighter moment, such as when he was asked to recall the role he had as a teenager in helping Goran Ivanisevic to his 2001 Wimbledon title over Australian Pat Rafter.
"Didn't he tell you that was essential for his win here in Wimbledon, me bringing him the snacks," Djokovic asked a reporter, sending the room into laughter.
"Actually, that's what happened. He was in the Niki Pilic Tennis Academy in Germany, where I had spent quite a lot of time between age of 12 and 16. It happened to be that famous 2001 when he received the wildcard here in Wimbledon, and he came over to the academy for several weeks.
"I had the permission to approach him while he was training and to bring him some snacks because he was hungry, training a lot. Of course, I was there every time he was on the court. I was observing, learning, watching, supporting.
"Niki, who is my tennis father, as I like to call him, had a big influence in his career, in his life as well. There was this connection early on already. Yeah, I think those snacks really made the difference for him in Wimbledon."
It's now Ivanisevic's turn to help provide sustenance of a kind for Djokovic, who has previously had Boris Becker and Andre Agassi fill similar roles. Ivanisevic will be part coach, part mind whisperer for the 15-time grand slam winner.
"He's someone I've always looked up [to], he was something of a hero of mine and we've beRead More – Source
