Novak Djokovic looks to repeat Australia success

[marmar]

Melbourne, Australia --

Serena Williams spent time with Novak Djokovic this week, giving him pointers on how to better strike the pose of a Grand Slam champion.

After winning three of the four majors last year to break the stranglehold Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had on men's tennis, Djokovic needs to focus on how to successfully defend a Grand Slam title before he becomes too concerned with trophy presentations.

Williams knows how - the 13-time major winner has successfully defended a major title three times.

Federer and Nadal also know what it takes, but they're unlikely to give Djokovic pointers about defending his Australian Open title. Besides, they have each other to worry about after landing in the same half of the draw Friday. Neither can face Djokovic until the final of the season's first major, which starts Monday and ends Jan. 29. Federer withdrew from a tuneup in Doha with a sore back, and Nadal has struggled with a painful shoulder he plans to rest next month. .......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/14/SPPJ1MPAHF.DTL

[joeybee12]

1. Did you see the Kyoong final? Spoiler

Tomic beat Fish. He may be the next big thing...I keep waiting for the next big thing in tennis since Roger's career is winding down...I don't think Nadal has the longevity and as goo as Djoker was last year, I keep waiting for him to start losing concentration again.

[marmar]

2. Tomic has a great deal of potential.

nt

[dhill926]

3. hard to see Djock not winning.....

with Fed and Nadal a little dinged up. Men's game is fascinating right now tho. Tsonga could surprise......

[TBF]

4. Murray's got a new coach and could surprise as well

but I'm still a diehard fan rooting for Roger.

[dhill926]

5. agreed.....

no one saw Djock doing what he did last year. This year could be wild.....or not ha ha.....phenomenal talent on the men's side right now.

[TBF]

9. Yes, it's funny how that goes in cycles

sometimes it's more fun watching the women, but right now that side has no clear-cut leaders. I'd like to see Wozniacki finally focus and win a slam.

[joeybee12]

6. And they're Off!

Roger plays today, as does Raf-roid, who disparaged Roger today...what a creep he is. On the women's side, I only see that Caroline is playing in the first day.

[marmar]

7. Azarenka already won.

nt

[joeybee12]

8. I should go to the Aussie site...

ESPN doesn't have all the matches listed apparently!

[TBF]

11. Here's the link -

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/index.html

for the slams I always bookmark the official sites - they have more articles and stuff too

[TBF]

10. lol re Raf the creep :)

I'm a huge Federer fan, but I've got some sympathy with Rafa on the labor issue. I'm sure it's stressful for him and Murray to be taking the heat on that while Roger says nothing.

[joeybee12]

12. Could have just been roid rage on rafa's part...nt

[MaineDem]

13. Kim played on the first day and won in straight sets.

So did Azarenka, Li, Schiavone, Jankovic among others.