The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Serbian success inspires kids

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Saturday, Jul 07, 2007
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Serbian success inspires kids

Wimbledon: The success of Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic at this year’s Wimbledon could be a sign of more to come from Serbia.

Ivanovic, the French Open runner-up, defeated No. 14 seed Nicole Vaidisova to reach the women’s semifinals, a feat she expects to inspire young players in her native country.

“I’m sure it does,” she said. “Obviously it motivates us, too, because it was quite tough growing up back home. Now, there are so many young kids playing tennis because of us.”

However, she isn’t sure why this year has been such a breakout one for Serbia.

She just knows things are looking good.

No ragging on Rafa

Rafael Nadal already had one feud this week, so it’s good Tomas Berdych is sparing him another.

Nadal lost to Berdych in last year’s Madrid Masters and called the Czech “a bad person” for trying to keep the crowd quiet and stop cheering when he made a mistake.

The move earned Berdych the animosity of the Madrid crowd for the rest of the tournament and caused friction between the players.

But Berdych said there won’t be any problems when he plays his first Wimbledon quarterfinal.

Another look

Instant replay is making its Wimbledon debut this year, but the Hawk-Eye replay technology is only available on Centre Court and Court 1.

Jonas Bjorkman wishes it were being used elsewhere, too.

“Two courts is maybe not enough in a Slam,” the 19th-seeded Bjorkman said after getting in an argument with the chair umpire over a call during his loss to Berdych on Court 18.

“Obviously it’s all about money, I guess.

“A horrendous call,” Bjorkman said. — AP

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