Djokovic: Rafa's On the Right Way

Novak Djokovic addresses the media before he opens play at the 2013 BNP Paribas Open. 

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic says he's feeling good ahead of a busy tennis month starting with the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this weekend.

"Couldn't ask for a better start of the season, winning Australia and Dubai, playing on hard courts, which is my most successful and most preferable surface that suits my game the best," Djokovic told the media on Friday.

The Serb said the start of this season feels the same as 2011, when he compiled a 43-match winning streak and remained undefeated until the French Open semifinals in June. That year Djokovic captured the BNP Paribas Open title.

"I don't want to predict anything. My mindset will stay the same, and that is to enjoy the moment, to be in the moment, to try to do my best in the present, and take it step by step and then see how far I can go," Djokovic said.

During that 2011 season, Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal six times in route to claiming the No. 1 ranking in men's tennis. Nadal is marking his return to major competition in Indian Wells after seven months off battling a knee injury.

"It's now been three tournaments in last four weeks for Rafa, and, you know, he doesn't show any signs of pain in the knees and something that can distract him now. He's on the right way, you know," Djokovic said.

"As his colleague and friend, I can say that it's really great to see him back for our sport in general, for fans, for everyone who loves tennis,because he's such a popular and charismatic player and is recognized all over the world," the Serb added.

Djokovic also told reporters he's ready for a busy March with Indians Wells, Miami and a Davis Cup event in Boise, Idaho on his plate over the next five weeks.

"It's not going to be easy, but, again, it's three events in five weeks. It's still all right," Djokovic said. "I know how I need to treat my body, how I need to, you know, prepare for this kind of physical involvement. So I'm looking forward to it."

Djokovic admitted he really enjoys the Davis Cup, because it's a rare occasion where he gets to feel the team spirit. As for playing in Boise, Idaho he did not know much.

"I informed myself through Google and Internet," Djokovic said with a chuckle. "I have seen that there is an altitude obviously of 800 meters, and that goes to favor obviously of American team. On the other hand, I don't know. I wish I could go skiing in Sun Valley, which is very close. But unfortunately, I'm going to have to stay with the racquet and play my best and try to get a win."

Vika Serves Notice Down Under

Victoria Azarenka defended her Australian Open title with a gritty performance over the weekend after enduring a wacky end to her tournament run.

Her 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, victory over Li Na saw nearly 30 minutes of the match disappear thanks to three interruptions, including a lengthy fireworks display for Australia Day and a 10-minute injury timeout after Li took a spill slamming her head on the court.

Ironically, it was a 10-minute injury timeout Azarenka called during her seminfinal match that set off heavy criticism from the media, players and turned some of the Melbourne fans against her.

After failing to convert five match points in her second set semifinal against American teen Sloane Stephens, Azarenka took a medical timeout. She was taken off the sweltering court for treatment, then coolly closed out the match in the next game.

"Well, I almost did the choke of the year right now at 5-3, having so many chances, I couldn't close it out," Azarenka said in her on court interview immediately after beating Stephens. "I just felt a little bit overwhelmed."

ESPN's tennis analysts quickly jumped on Azarenka accusing her of gamemanship and calling the timeout to settle down, with Patrick McEnroe upping the ante calling the move "bush league."

However, the match stats do not point to Stephens being cheated from making the finals Down Under. In every match category, from first serves in to unforced errors, Azarenka was just better. Looking at just the second set, Vika was better in most categories and tied in unforced errors.

During the critical game before Azarenka's timeout, Sloane committed three unforced errors while smacking three winners. That's on par with her performance in the rest of the second set.

Uncannily, Azarenka lost five match points during the third set at last year's U.S. Open to Serena Williams, letting her second major title slip out of her grasp. While Sloane beat Serena in the Aussie Open quarters, fans in Melbourne were likely only cheated out of a second set tiebreak. It is too much to conjecture beyond that.

Azarenka admitted mistake in not calling the trainer soon enough in her semifinal match and handled a grilling by the media with poise (watch clips below).



When it comes to dealing with injuries during a match, Azarenka has lost the benefit of the doubt with most players due to a reputation she developed for calling a trainer too often early in her career.

Just last season during her coming out party, Vika was criticized by World No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska for "faking" injuries in the semifinals at Doha. Azarenka went on to win that tournament, one of six singles titles she claimed all on hard court surface.

In prevailing again Down Under, Victoria Azarenka has served noticed to the rest of the WTA, she is the one beat on hard court.