Post by Teresa on Mar 28, 2005 1:36:13 GMT 3
This is very funny, from Ivan interview after his win over Spadea
I. LJUBICIC/V. Spadea
6-3, 4-6, 7-6
IVAN LJUBICIC: It's really, I mean ‑‑ this morning I was really not shocked but, I mean, I will explain you why I really was shocked this morning ‑ that's another story.
But before the match, like one hour before the match, I went up to see my wife and just to say that I'm gonna go down and focus on the match and blah, blah, blah. She showed me this paper telling that I'm after Federer, the best player right now in the world. I was like, "Jesus." I mean, I'm used to really be underdog for all my life. Even like juniors, I was doing good results, but not really like because I really belonged in top class. And as soon as I start winning matches in junior tennis, I switched to professional.
Q. What was the other story where you were shocked?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Oh, was 10 to 10, 10 minutes to 10. I went to take a shower. I come back in locker room ‑‑ I mean, I came back and I see my stuff on the ground, from the locker. Yeah, I was like ‑‑ and a lot of people, a lot of people in locker room because the matches at 10 o'clock, they were just getting ready. I was like, "What's going on? My stuff on the ground."
I see the doors of the locker just slightly open. So I went to open the locker and then shock, completely shocked. What happened, Michael Llodra naked in my locker. I mean... he was looking at me, I was looking at him. I said, "What the hell are you doing here?" I'm trying to focus for my match. I said, "It's 10 to 10, you're playing at 10 o'clock." I don't know what he did, did he won?
Q. Yes.
IVAN LJUBICIC: I mean, that's the way (laughing). I don't know. I mean, the locker, it's not the big locker, it's small locker. You better maybe, if you have a chance, just to see how big is the locker.
Q. Expect to see him again, I suppose?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Now when I'm opening my locker, I'm opening really slowly. I mean, after this, I don't know what I'm gonna find in there.
Q. What were you thinking would be in there?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I was shocked. I mean, I was really shocked. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know if to laugh or, you know, looking at people around me. I mean, obviously, everybody knew because it takes time to get in.
Q. They were all in on it?
IVAN LJUBICIC: He said to me "I'm trying to get positive energy from you. You're winning a lot of matches this year." (Smiling).
I mean, he is weird guy. Maybe next time I'm gonna tell you another stories with him. Just imagine that he's actually father. I mean, this kid is really lucky kid. I mean, he's gonna have great time with him. It's just, it's not easy to get in that locker, I'm telling you. He is not small guy. Very flexible. Very, very flexible. Naked.
Hello.........what all exactly goes on in those locker rooms anyway
He also said:
Q. Have you noticed if the players are viewing you in a different manner and a different light all together with the way you've played this year?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Well, I always felt the respect from the players. Marat once told me "If there is someone I don't want to play, it's you, really, honestly." So when I was 40 in the world.
So I always felt like I'm not someone who, you know, the people want to see me in a draw. So that kind of respect I always felt.
But it's not really like I felt like a change now. Obviously, I'm still really not easy draw, but it's just difference that I'm really winning a lot of matches now instead of just being a dangerous opponent before. Before, what's happening, I was beating big guys but I couldn't manage ‑‑ I didn't manage to win a lot of matches in a row. Now it's suddenly everything has changed. Just feel like trying really to focus one match by one, and one point by one. Everything, it's much easier for me. Obviously, the confidence is really high. I feel like, going on a court, that I am ‑‑ I am the one who is going to win this match, I am the one who is better in this match.
Obviously, that's very important when it comes to important moments in a match.
I. LJUBICIC/V. Spadea
6-3, 4-6, 7-6
IVAN LJUBICIC: It's really, I mean ‑‑ this morning I was really not shocked but, I mean, I will explain you why I really was shocked this morning ‑ that's another story.
But before the match, like one hour before the match, I went up to see my wife and just to say that I'm gonna go down and focus on the match and blah, blah, blah. She showed me this paper telling that I'm after Federer, the best player right now in the world. I was like, "Jesus." I mean, I'm used to really be underdog for all my life. Even like juniors, I was doing good results, but not really like because I really belonged in top class. And as soon as I start winning matches in junior tennis, I switched to professional.
Q. What was the other story where you were shocked?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Oh, was 10 to 10, 10 minutes to 10. I went to take a shower. I come back in locker room ‑‑ I mean, I came back and I see my stuff on the ground, from the locker. Yeah, I was like ‑‑ and a lot of people, a lot of people in locker room because the matches at 10 o'clock, they were just getting ready. I was like, "What's going on? My stuff on the ground."
I see the doors of the locker just slightly open. So I went to open the locker and then shock, completely shocked. What happened, Michael Llodra naked in my locker. I mean... he was looking at me, I was looking at him. I said, "What the hell are you doing here?" I'm trying to focus for my match. I said, "It's 10 to 10, you're playing at 10 o'clock." I don't know what he did, did he won?
Q. Yes.
IVAN LJUBICIC: I mean, that's the way (laughing). I don't know. I mean, the locker, it's not the big locker, it's small locker. You better maybe, if you have a chance, just to see how big is the locker.
Q. Expect to see him again, I suppose?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Now when I'm opening my locker, I'm opening really slowly. I mean, after this, I don't know what I'm gonna find in there.
Q. What were you thinking would be in there?
IVAN LJUBICIC: I was shocked. I mean, I was really shocked. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know if to laugh or, you know, looking at people around me. I mean, obviously, everybody knew because it takes time to get in.
Q. They were all in on it?
IVAN LJUBICIC: He said to me "I'm trying to get positive energy from you. You're winning a lot of matches this year." (Smiling).
I mean, he is weird guy. Maybe next time I'm gonna tell you another stories with him. Just imagine that he's actually father. I mean, this kid is really lucky kid. I mean, he's gonna have great time with him. It's just, it's not easy to get in that locker, I'm telling you. He is not small guy. Very flexible. Very, very flexible. Naked.
Hello.........what all exactly goes on in those locker rooms anyway
He also said:
Q. Have you noticed if the players are viewing you in a different manner and a different light all together with the way you've played this year?
IVAN LJUBICIC: Well, I always felt the respect from the players. Marat once told me "If there is someone I don't want to play, it's you, really, honestly." So when I was 40 in the world.
So I always felt like I'm not someone who, you know, the people want to see me in a draw. So that kind of respect I always felt.
But it's not really like I felt like a change now. Obviously, I'm still really not easy draw, but it's just difference that I'm really winning a lot of matches now instead of just being a dangerous opponent before. Before, what's happening, I was beating big guys but I couldn't manage ‑‑ I didn't manage to win a lot of matches in a row. Now it's suddenly everything has changed. Just feel like trying really to focus one match by one, and one point by one. Everything, it's much easier for me. Obviously, the confidence is really high. I feel like, going on a court, that I am ‑‑ I am the one who is going to win this match, I am the one who is better in this match.
Obviously, that's very important when it comes to important moments in a match.
;D