First-Time Winner Spotlight Janko Tipsarevic

© Malaysian OpenSerbia's Janko Tipsarevic won his first title in his fifth ATP World Tour final.

Janko Tipsarevic claimed his first ATP World Tour title at the fifth attempt after defeating Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 7-5 in the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2011 final. ATPWorldTour.com caught up with the champion following his victory.

Final Report

Janko, it’s been a great season, a season of breakthroughs for you. What do you put it down to, more maturity, more experience?
I feel that my tennis improved, but the main factor is determination. The years before I was just playing on tour thinking to enjoy my time while it lasts, win as many matches without setting up really proper goals. This season, the difference is that I set up a goal, that my goal is to finish in the Top 20 and win my first ATP title. I feel lucky that it happened to me this week after two finals, which I didn’t win this year. There are still a few more tournaments to go and I really hope I can continue playing like this.

Serbia currently has three players inside the Top 20 and the No. 3 ranked doubles player. How special is it to be part of this wave of great players from Serbia?
One of the things I really feel is pulling us to play better is that, there’s not so many, but a couple of guys from Serbia on tour who are producing great results. It’s an unbelievable privilege to watch the world’s No. 1 player from the front seat, what he’s doing. I’m one of the guys who is not ashamed; I’m asking him a lot of time at tournaments, what are you thinking when you’re returning, what do you think when it’s important, what do you focus on when you serve and you’re a break point down. All these tips it’s an extreme privilege to have. I feel that just talking between each other really helps us play at least 10 per cent better.

Who’s been the most influential person in getting to where you are today?
Apart from my family, who’ve helped me financially the most in the early years - I’m not going to cry or anything, but we had a really difficult period when Milosevic was the president of Serbia - I feel the guy that changed my head is my coach, Dirk Hordoff. I always tend to overcomplicate things and make difficult decisions for no reason, and he is the kind of guy - he’s German - and for him, like two and two is four and there is no other way. Just keeping it simple kinda helped me to keep a steady head in difficult moments in life and on the court.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
This year I would say determined.

What was the last book you read and would you recommend it to an avid reader?
No, the last book I read was horrible. I don’t remember the name actually. Now I’m reading not a bad book. It’s called Delusions from Richard Dawkins and I read half of it. He’s using too many people from religion, psychology, whatever. He’s quoting too many people which I don’t know so it’s a very difficult book. And I would definitely not recommend it.