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Politika AD - Sport


      NAJBOLJA JUGOSLOVENSKA TENISERKA DOPUTOVALA U BEOGRAD 


      Prodor u svetski vrh pod jugoslovenskom zastavom 

      Sve je krenulo od Rima i mog trijumfa u večnom gradu, posle toga sam 
      odigrala više dobrih turnira i ostvarila cilj - plasman među deset 
      najboljih - ističe Jelena Doki�E - Odmor u Beogradu do februara a onda 
      pohod u nove trijumfe. - Svečana konferencija u Skupštini grada 

      [Foto] Biser jugoslovenskog sporta: Jelena Doki�E

      Novi biser jugoslovenskog sporta i najbolja teniserka Jugoslavije Jelena 
      Doki�E posle blistavih rezultata u ovoj godini, doputovala je u svoju 
      zemlju, u na�Eglavni grad, gde će, kako je planirala, provesti sledeća tri 
      meseca, odmarajući se od naporne sezone ali i, kada poželi, trenirati i 
      spremati se za turnire koji je očekuju u narednoj godini. 

      Cilj ostvaren 

      - Imala sam jako dobru godinu, ostvarila sam cilj sa početka sezone da se 
      plasiram među prvih deset na svetskoj listi i sve ću učiniti, ne samo da 
      iduće godine zadržim taj plasman ve�Ei da ga popravim, mada će to biti 
      izuzetno teško - bile su prve reči mlade šampionke, na izuzetno posećenoj 
      konferenciji za novinare u Skupštini grada.


      [Foto] Dobrodošlica šampionki na visokom nivou, u Skupštini grada: Mateja 
             Jašovi�E Dimitrije Rašovi�E Radmila Hrustanovi�E Jelena Doki�E Gašo 
             Kneževi�E Dušan Gruji�Ei Radmilo Armenuli�E(sleva nadesno) 

      Jelena Doki�E u pratnji svoje majke Ljiljane, tačno u podne, ušla je u 
      svečanu salu Starog dvora, gde su je pored novinara svih redakcija 
      dočekali, pored ostalih, Gašo Kneževi�E ministar prosvete i sporta u vladi 
      Srbije, gradonačlenik Beograda Radmila Hrustanovi�E Radmilo Armenuli�E 
      potpredsednik Jugoslovenskog olimpijskog komiteta, Dimitrije Rašovi�E 
      potpredsednik Teniskog saveza Jugoslavije, članovi TSJ Dušan Gruji�Ei 
      Mateja Jašovi�Ei drugi. 

      - Jelena je trenutno naša glavna sportska zvezda, jer biti među deset 
      najboljih profesionalnih teniserki na svetu je dosezanje krova sveta. Bilo 
      bi sjajno da iduće sezone jo�Eviše napreduje i da nas obraduje novim 
      trijumfima a ja, ne želeći ništa da prejudiciram, smatram da je ona 
      sportista godine u Jugoslaviji - rekao je ministar Kneževi�E 

      Dimitrije Rašovi�Eje pozdravio mladu šampionku u ime TSJ i, naravno, 
      poželeo joj nove uspehe u karijeri, ali ju je i zamolio da, ako nađe 
      vremena, zaigra i za žensku reprezentaciju Jugoslavije, ne bi li i naše 
      teniserke napravile prodor u ekipnim nadmetanjima. 

      - Pomno pratimo sve rezultate naših sportista i u domaćoj i u međunarodnoj 
      konkurenciji i mogu da vam u ime Jugoslovenskog olimpijskog komiteta kažem 
      da je Jelena Doki�Eu najužem krugu kandidata za sportistu godine u 
      Jugoslaviji za ovogodišnje domete. O tome će odlučiti Predsedništvo JOK-a 
      ali, kao čovek tenisa, moram da izrazim divljenje za sve ono što je Jelena 
      ostvarila ove sezone. U istoriji tenisa samo su Nemac Štih, pre desetak, i 
      Amerikanac Agasi, pre četiri-pet godina, uspeli da u jednoj sezoni od, na 
      primer, sto tridesetog mesta dospeju među deset najboljih. To je sada 
      pošlo za rukom i Jeleni Doki�Ei naša zemlja je dobila pravi sportski 
      dragulj - rekao je Armenuli�E 

      Na�Esportski ambasador 

      Jelenu je pozdravila i Radmila Hrustanovi�E poželevši joj dobrodošlicu u 
      ime svih Beograđana: 

      - Vi ste na�Esportski ambasador i primer kako se uspešno predstavlja naša 
      zemlja u svetu. Lepo se odmorite u našem Beogradu, koji je, verujem, vaša 
      druga kuća. 

      Posle toga su na red došli i više nego radoznali novinari, koji su 
      Dokićevu prosto "bombardovali" pitanjima. Mlada šampionka je strpljivo i 
      iskreno odgovarala, a izdvajamo samo ono najinteresantnije: 

      - Do sada najdraža pobeda mi je ona prva na ATP turnirima u aprilu u Rimu. 
      Tada mi je sve dobro krenulo i kasniji uspesi su bili samo posledica mojih 
      dobrih igara i forme, koju sam održavala. Moram da istaknem da sam krenula 
      ka svetskom vrhu kada sam postala punoletna i počela da igram pod 
      jugoslovenskom zastavom, ističe Jelena. 

      Na pitanje kakvi su joj dalji planovi, kaže: 

      - U Jugoslaviji ću ostati dva-tri meseca i prvenstveno želim da se dobro 
      odmorim. Sigurno je da neću putovati u Australiju, gde je prvi gren-slem u 
      novoj sezoni u januaru. Gotovo je izvesno da ću prvi put nastupiti na 
      turniru u Tokiju, biće jo�Etri gren-slema, a do sada sam ionako najviše 
      uspeha imala u Vimbldonu. 

      "Pašće i Lindzi" 

      Nisu je mimoišla ni pitanja o "fatalnoj" po nju protivnici Lindzi 
      Devenport: 

      - Protiv nje je jako teško igrati. Nije ona slučajno trenutno prva 
      igračica sveta. Međutim, za mene radi vreme, dogodine ću biti iskusnija, 
      ne brinem mnogo zbog ovogodišnjih poraza i sigurna sam da ću dočekati 
      priliku da je konačno pobedim. Nadam se, ve�Eiduće godine. 

      O tome ko je trenutno u vrhu svetskog ženskog tenisa, za Jelenu nema 
      dileme: 

      - Venus Vilijams i Devenportova su, po meni, trenutno najbolje, sestre 
      Vilijams ne igraju redovno, ali postižu dobre rezultate a na prvom mestu 
      se smenjuju Kaprijati i Devenport. Verujem da će i iduće sezone raspored 
      snaga ostati sličan, pogotovo među prvih pet. 

      O Moniki Sele�Eje rekla: 

      - Viđamo se samo na zajedničkim turnirima, dobro se ispričamo, ali češćih 
      kontakata nemamo. 
      Na kraju konferencije šampionki je uručen i prelep buket cveća; darodavac 
      je bio Teniski savez Jugoslavije. 

      Panta Kiko�E
      Foto: Dragan Jevremovi�E

      ------------------------------------
      "Moram da popravim servis" 

      Novinare je interesovalo kako Jelena reaguje na sve češće napise da je 
      ona, pored toga što je odlična teniserka, u centru pažnje i po svom 
      fizičkom izgledu i nespornoj lepoti. Naša šampionka je više želela da 
      govori o teniskim stvarima: 

      - Tenis je za mene na prvom mestu, mada se poslednjih godina dosta govori 
      i o izgledu igračica. Ako neko smatra da lepo izgledam, zahvaljujem na 
      komplimentima, ali moja je prva preokupacija da dobro igram i pobeđujem. 
      Zato ću se truditi da popravim moju trenutno najveću boljku, a to je 
      servis. Naravno, uvek može da se usavršava u taktici, pa i tehnici. 

      ------------------------------------
      Zahvalnost roditeljima i bratu 

      [Foto] Porodica najveća potpora: Ljiljana i Jelena Doki�E

      Ima li Jelena Doki�Enekog sponzora odnosno firmu koja finansira njenu 
      karijeru? Ona je bila kategorična: 

      - Ne, nemam nikog ko me finansira. Sve je prepušteno mojoj porodici, ocu 
      Damiru, majci Ljiljani i bratu Savu. Oni su mi mnogo pomogli u dosadašnjoj 
      karijeri, bez njih ne bih uspela. Naravno, tata mi je uvek pri ruci, 
      savetuje me, pomaže na treninzima i, jednostavno, navikla sam da bude 
      stlano pored mene. 

      ------------------------------------
      Volela bih da budem sportista godine 

      Pošto su ministar Gašo Kneževi�Ei potpredsednik Jugoslovenskog olimpijskog 
      komiteta Radmilo Armenuli�Enajavili da je Jelena Doki�Ejedan od 
      najozbiljnijih kandidata za laskavu titulu sportiste godine u Jugoslaviji, 
      mlada šampionka je izjavila: 

      - Sigurno je da bi me takvo priznanje obardovalo i bilo bi mi podstrek da 
      i dogodine nastavim sa dobrim igrama i pobedama, što bi mi donelo jo�E
      bolji plasman na svetskoj listi. 
 
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Dnevni list DANAS - SPORT - TENIS 

sreda, 7. novembar 2001. 


    Najbolja jugoslovenska teniserka na zasluzenom odmoru u Beogradu

    Dokic: Ispunila sam cilj
 
  
    [Foto] Srdjan Stevanovic  
 
    Nakon uspesne sezone koju je okoncala na osmom mestu WTA liste i tri osvojene titule, 
    najbolja jugoslovenska teniseka Jelena Dokic stigla je u Beograd na zasluzen odmor.

    - Ispunila sam zacrtani cilj ove sezone plasmanom medju deset najboljih teniserki na 
    svetu. Sada ce mi biti jos teze da se sledece godine zadrzim u samom vrhu. Moje je 
    misljenje da se prvih sest meseci 2002. nece dogoditi neka velika promena u rejtingu, 
    odnosno ne verujem da ce neke manje poznate teniserke uspeti da udju u taj sam vrh - 
    rekla je na pocetku konferencije za novinare u Skupstini grada osamnaestogodisnja Dokic, 
    koja se prvi put javno obratila domacim medijima posle uzimanja jugoslovenskog pasosa.

    Dokiceva je priznala da su je nastupi na turnirima dosta iscrpeli, te da ce u Beogradu 
    provesti gotovo tri naredna meseca kako bi "napunila baterije" za naredna iskusenja.

    - Osecam veliki umor posle zaista naporne godine, pa sam izabrala Beograd za odmor, 
    koji ce trajati nesto duze kako bi se sto bolje pripremila za narednu sezonu. Odlucila 
    sam da necu nastupati na Australijan Openu, prvom Grand slemu sezone, vec ce moj prvi 
    mec biti na turniru u Tokiju, nedelju kasnije - rekla je Jelena, ne precizirajuci kada 
    ce tacno poceti sa treninzima i ko ce joj biti sparing partner.

    Novinare, koji su u velikom broju pristigli na konferenciju koju je organizovala 
    Skupstina grada, najvise je zanimalo kada ce konacno pobediti Lindzi Devenport, prvu 
    igracicu sveta, koja joj je u poslednje tri nedelje cak tri puta "uzela meru" i jedinu 
    teniserku iz samog vrha koju nije uspela da savlada.

    - Svake godine belezim sve bolje rezultate, iskusnija sam i zrelija i mislim da je 
    realno da konacno sledece sezone ostvarim trijumf. Protiv Lindzi je stvarno tesko 
    igrati, jer je veoma sigurna, fizicki i tehnicki jaka, a pozicija broj jedan na WTA 
    listi dovoljno govori o kvalitetu koji poseduje. Ipak, mnogo je tesko reci da li je ona 
    zaista i najbolja. Naime, postoje cetiri igracice koje ravnopravno konkurisu za celnu 
    poziciju - Devenport i Kaprijati koje se neprestano smenjuju, i sestre Vilijams koje ne 
    igraju puno ali imaju dobre rezultate. Po mom misljenju najmocnije su ipak Venus i Lindzi 
    - rekla je na kraju Jelena Dokic, najozbiljniji kandidat za sportistkinju Jugoslavije 
    ove godine, iskoristivsi i ovog puta da spomene da joj je podrska porodice i dalje 
    glavni oslonac u zivotu, iglavni motiv da postane broj 1 u svetskom zenskom tenisu.

    M. S.

    ------------------------------------
    Organizator ponovo podbacio

    Novinari opet (ne)obavljaju svoj posao

    Posle lose organizacije doceka vaterpolista, kosarkasa i odbojkasa, Skupstina grada 
    Beograda i ovog puta podbacila je u realizaciji konferencije za novinare najbolje 
    jugoslovenske teniserke Jelene Dokic. Nakon gotovo "obaveznih" uvodnih i pozdravnih 
    govora (ovoga puta to su bili Gaso Knezevic, ministar prosvete i sporta - a ne sporta 
    i prosvete kako je on odmah na pocetku ispravio konferansijea, Dimitrije Rasovic, 
    potpredsednik TSJ, Radmilo Armenulic, potpredsednik JOK i gradonacelnica Radmila 
    Hrustanovic) Jelena Dokic nije dobila priliku ni da pozdravi prisutne novinare, koji su 
    preplavili veliku salu. Zamoljeni da sto pre predju na postavljanje pitanja, jer su 
    unapred vise puta obavesteni da je Jelena veoma umorna, novinari su se utrkivali da 
    saznaju sto vise podataka.

    Medjutim, ljudi iz organizacije, verovatno zbunjeni tolikim interesovanjem medija, 
    zaboravili su da obezbede i odgovarajuce ozvucenje, pa je po prirodi tihu Jelenu, bilo 
    zapravo nemoguce cuti.

    Nakon postavljenih pitanja (koja su, cini se, ipak bila prekinuta nakon sto je neko od 
    organizatora procenio da je bilo dovoljno), Jelena se samo na kratko zadrzala u sali 
    kako bi se cerke i sinovi, rodjaci i prijatelji nekih od "vaznih funkcionera" slikali 
    sa njom. Posle toga, slicno kao i "zlatni momci" letos, nestala je iza paravana, a 
    novinarima koji su tu ipak dosli samo i iskljucivo zbog osme igracice sveta, opet nije 
    omoguceno da obave svoj posao.

    I po ko zna koji put desio se isti propust, a pitanje da li je to i definitivno 
    poslednji ostace bez odgovora do neke druge prilike.

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Jelena-Dokic.com - the page entirely dedicated to young Yugoslavian sensation Jelena Dokic 


            Jelena to skip Aus. Open, next Tour-appearance in February 


            Australia is too far away • Father Damir remains head coach, 
            Armenulic just a good friend • Williams and Davenport the best 
            players in the world • The most important expected improvement - 
            serve  • Goal in 2002 to remain in the top 10. 

            Nov. 6, 2001

            by Natasa Pantic for jelena-dokic.com 

            When Jelena Dokic re-took Yugoslav passport in Nov. 2000, everyone 
            in Yugoslavia was excited about it. This November she returned to 
            the country as #8 in the world, with three singles' titles beside 
            her name. Even more exciting for her Yugoslav fans, unlike many 
            countries' great athletes, she decided to spend her break in 
            Yugoslav capital Belgrade. 

            "It's a great honor to welcome Jelena on behalf of all Belgraders. 
            I'll reveal a little secret - she's here to stay, not for a day or 
            two but for the whole season-break," said Belgrade City Mayor 
            Radmila Hrustanovic, opening the briefing organized by Yugoslav 
            Tennis Association (YTA). 

            YTA's vice president Dimitrije Rasovic announced the organization 
            would ask permission for Jelena to play with Yugoslav Fed-Cup team 
            in the future. With few rising stars of Yugoslav women's tennis, 
            like 16-year-old Jelena Jankovic (winner of the Girls' singles title 
            at 2001 Australian Open, WTA #361), the team could have very bright 
            future. 

            In a jam-packed City Hall, Jelena patiently answered the questions 
            for about 45 minutes. We bring you the complete transcript of the 
            briefing. 

            Q: How you expect to finish next season? 

            A: I don't know. I had a very good year, and I didn't plan to finish 
            in the top 10. Next year will be harder, because it's much easier to 
            get in the top 10 then to keep the ranking. My goal for the next 
            year is to keep it, and I'll play the best I can, to do so. 

            Q: Which title you won is dearest to you? 

            A: Well, Rome was the first and the biggest, so I liked it the most. 
            I think everything begun in Rome, so - it's Rome, I guess. 

            Q: Have your relations with media changed after you took Yugoslav 
            passport, and what changed since you turned 18? 

            A: I've learned a lot from media in the last two or three years. 
            I've been trough a lot with Australian media. This year I had much 
            more opportunities to learn. I don't think many things changed since 
            I turned 18, but since I took Yugoslav passport about a year ago, I 
            started winning titles. I won all three tournaments as Yugoslav 
            citizen. 

            Q: Will you go to Australia in January and which of the Grand Slams 
            you'd like to win? 

            A: I've played a lot this year, since April, so I now plan to have a 
            long rest. I won't go to Australia, first - cause it's too far away, 
            and I think I had enough tournaments so far. About the Grand Slams, 
            well - any of them would be a great success, and I wouldn't 
            emphasize anyone particularly. I had the most success in Wimbledon, 
            but I wouldn't mind any other Grand Slam title (laugh) 

            Q (N.P. for JD.com): Could you tell us a bit about your relation 
            with Mr. Armenulic? Is he your new coach? 

            Armenulic: I'll answer that question. I've read something about that 
            in the papers. The only cooperation Jelena and I have, is our 
            friendship. Jelena has her parents, who work fantastic with her and 
            lead her very well. If they were not so good, she wouldn't be number 
            8 in the world. Her father and her mother are taking care of her 
            career and her, and she and her parents will primarily take care of 
            her future. All of us here are just her tennis friends, and that's 
            all. 

            Q: What do you think about becoming the best sportswoman of 
            Yugoslavia this year? 

            A: I've heard about it couple of weeks ago, and I'd be very glad if 
            that happens. I think I have good chance, but it's not my decision. 
            So, we'll see... 

            Q: Would you like it? 

            A: Sure, as I said. I have Yugoslav passport for only a year, and 
            I'd be very glad to become the best in the first year. 

            Q: When can we expect the first win against Lindsay Davenport? 

            A: Next year, I hope (laugh) 

            Q: Do you have finance advisor? 

            A: My Dad takes care of all that stuff. 

            Q: What's the difference between your first and second sets when you 
            play Davenport? 

            A: It's very hard to play against Lindsay. There's a good reason she 
            became No. 1. I had much harder match with her earlier this year, 
            and I think I'll have much better chance against her as I'm getting 
            older and maturer. It's very hard to play her, especially if you 
            lose first set, then the second is much harder to play. But I don't 
            worry too much about it, I'm sure next year I'll have a chance to 
            beat her. 

            Q: Who should be #1 in your opinion - Davenport or Capriati? 

            A: I think there are more than two players who are the best. Venus 
            and Serena don't play too much, but they're achieving the best 
            results. Then we have Davenport and Capriati, who are very close at 
            No. 1 and 2 on the WTA rankings. I would say that maybe Williams and 
            Davenport are the best, the most powerful in the world. And who's 
            better, well, it's hard to say, but I think two of them are far 
            better then the others. 

            Q: What's your forecast for the top 10 next year? 

            A: I don't know if there gonna be big changes in the top 10. I think 
            all important changes will happen in the first six months. There are 
            few new players, especially between No. 5 and No. 10. And I think 
            some changes could be expected in the first six months. But I 
            wouldn't be surprised if everything remains like it is now, and the 
            top 10 players remain in the top 10. 

            Q (N.P. for JD.com): Where do you plan to start next season? 

            A: In Tokyo, after Australian Open (Toray Pan Pacific Open, Jan. 
            29). 

            Q (N.P. for JD.com): This year you couldn't play much at the 
            beginning of the season because of the Age Eligibility Rule and then 
            you played almost every week. How many tournaments you plan to play 
            next season? 

            A: Well, next season I'll start two months earlier. I haven't played 
            anything before April, so there's a big difference when you don't 
            play at all for four months, and then start playing non-stop. I 
            think next year I'll play fewer tournaments, but I'll start earlier, 
            in February. 

            Q: Besides Davenport, who are other top players you haven't beaten 
            so far? 

            A: I don't know that. I think I won at least a match against 
            everyone except Lindsay.

            Q: Do you have contacts with Monica Seles and what kind of relation 
            do you have? 

            A: I'm seeing her in the tournaments, but I haven't seen her in the 
            last couple of months because she didn't play much. We know each 
            other, and we talk to each other when we meet, that's normal, but 
            I'm seeing her only on tournaments. 

            Q: (inaudible) 

            A: I think tennis is at first place. It was always the most 
            important to me. I play tennis for tennis not for something else. 
            But those things are important in nowadays sports, as we could see 
            in the last 5 or 6 years, and I don't mind that. If people like to 
            talk, I can't do anything about it. After all, those are 
            compliments. But tennis is always in the first place for me. 

            Q: Is it easier to play against good technicians or powerful 
            hitters? 

            A: I think tennis much more relies on power these days. So, I guess 
            it's easier to play with the players who are good technicians. 
            Powerful players are the leaders in today's tennis. 

            Q: What elements of your game will you work on the most? 

            A: I think it's most important that I improve my serve. It's 
            definitely one thing I must work on. There is always room for 
            improvement. As I get older, my thinking will get better, there are 
            also few tactical things I have to work on, but serve is the most 
            important element right now. 

            Q: What are you impressions about Belgrade? 

            A: I haven't been here for too long, a week is the longest period 
            of time I spent here. Now I'll stay much longer, two or three 
            months, so I'll have more time to see everything and to have good 
            rest. 

            Q: Mrs. Dokic is always beside you during the tournaments, how does 
            she influence your stability during matches?  

            A: Well, Dad is chief in tennis. I'm used to have both parents with 
            me, but whoever of them is there with me has a great influence. They 
            helped me a lot during my career, along with my brother, and I like 
            the most when all of them are with me. But it's not always possible. 
            I have to thank my parents for everything, I think I wouldn't be 
            where I am now if there wasn't of them. 

            Q: On which surface will you practice in Belgrade and with whom? 

            A: I don't know yet. I plan to take a long rest first. Next season I 
            start on fast indoor surface, so I'll practice on that, but I still 
            don't know when and with whom. 

            Q: And your Dad remains your first and the only coach? 

            A: (affirmative nod). 

            (end)

            Jelena-dokic.com would like to thank Natasa Pantic and Snick for 
            their help in making the transcript of this interview.

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