PRO PLAYER - DUSAN LAJOVIC

Um, where do you think that comes from and do all it is but also like if you have 24 grand slams like It's a different perspective. I would say like this one empty spot on a handsome. Yeah All right ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the tennis culture podcast Mitch our guest today I'm looking forward to this 35 years old from Serbia. He has a career. I have 23 in the world By the way, if I make any mistakes here, you correct me straight away. Are you telling me? Yeah, we got two ATP singles titles. We got two ATP doubles title. He's played Davis carp He's got winds over top 10 players a winner of a sinner Delpo. I mean, he loves a bit of paddle in his spare time A bit of a cook I've heard as well. You like experimenting in the kitchen. That's what you gave me these I look at you Listen man, I did some research. That's what AI saying about you. Really? No, I love food But oh you like the backend of it. You like the eating I mean I get in prepare Anyway, our guest today do son lay of it. How we go. Let's go It's nice to finally talk to a 30 year old as well. I know. I know I know I mean all these kids running around these next-gen guys Well, that was in my open and today was 17 years Half your life. Yeah. Oh my god. That was gonna be one of my first questions actually You've been around the block. You've played against so many different generations What are you noticing about these young guys? What's different to these young guys compared to the guys? Maybe it's been on tour a little longer. No, I think it's changed a little bit like they've gotten more power That's for sure. Yeah, obviously the rackets technology and everything so they play a little bit differently like There's swinging much more doesn't matter where they are positioned on the court That's how I feel especially because last year I played a lot of challengers So I felt like you know tactic wise you got to adapt you got to be ready for everything like it's not like what you've set up to do It's gonna go most of the match. It's like it changes from game to day game And then I don't know if that's you know on challengers or on tour as well, but you know It's a little bit different than I would say six seven years ago Yeah, that makes sense. What about the mentality these young guys? We've been lucky enough to have a chat with the fuel and they all seem like Feelers in a way don't I Mitch like they've got this ridiculous Self-belief that is coming through. Yeah, for sure. Like you can see it on the court regardless if I'm playing against them We're just watching them play against other people like they will be swinging shots from five meters of the court Not thinking about tomorrow and that's how they're playing now and you can see on any level like obviously you have people who are a little bit better Top 10 and they I would say managed to play a little bit less careless But everything 80 and above I feel like they just play like there is no tomorrow And I don't know you know in challengers like it can work one day, but then next day you're a little bit off and you know Everything can happen. So that's what I've experienced over the last 12 15 months, but you know, I think if I go and I can honestly say that when I play against older guys, I feel more comfortable because I know what I'm expecting I'm gonna get here Yeah, yeah, like you don't know where you're gonna get There's also that The thought process of if someone goes up against against you in a match They've got some research like they've got things they can look at they've got plant They've got years of of matches and, you know, they can watch to be like, all right. You son does this he does this He does it whereas these young guys because they're so raw like you don't know like you might hear a bit about you time Yeah, I have to really do my research to find how is the guy playing because there's not anything but you know I would say that's also the thing like you have to adapt you have to change certain things because people know how I played I know what I like to do so sometimes it's not working because they know in certain Instances I'm gonna do this and I'm gonna do that and then they're ready for that So I also have to change my game style as well and it's changed completely to what I did Six years ago to three years ago to today. Yeah, well, how does that make you feel do you enjoy that? Yeah, I enjoy problem solving. I enjoyed that I have to improve, you know, I've been also working on different things this pre-season Then last seven pre-season eight pre-season actually because I've changed coach I've worked with Jose parallel for the last eight years and now I started with Ilya Bozolyets that is an ex-Serbian tennis He's in Davis Cup as well as a as a coach there So I know a good relationship and I wanted somebody who's a little bit younger and who knows me also from From my own country and and that's how we started so so far. It's working good start of the season and we've kind of Changed a few things in the pre-season, so it's working so far and let's hope it keeps going like yeah, that's great It's cool to hear we we're here in other sports Especially one-on-one sports similar like boxing It might take two or three rounds to figure out an opponent like you know, there's a little bit of a teasing period at the start I just want to know how long as a recreational tennis player like we we always get encroaches We always tell our our kids hey look try and look for a weakness in the warm up or see if it but sometimes we never get a feel on the opponent I'm just curious when you go into play these matches against people that maybe you haven't played many times How long does it take you to figure out their game and your plan going up against them? Definitely if we didn't practice at all then it takes three four five games Yeah, it takes a little bit and then because also depends if you have pressure moments in the beginning or not Like if if you have pressure moments early on then it takes a little bit quicker to figure out someone because you have a couple games That nothing happens and then the first pressure game is three all four all and then you see what he's doing under pressure That's when you start you know clocking. What's he doing? But if I practice with someone then it's a little bit easier because you know, what are his trends and what are his weaknesses? But I feel like analyzing it's pretty big thing for me as well before I'm playing an opponent I've been doing that and always like you know trying to see their matches my coach have have my coach see them play Whatever recently more than let's say if you have a if you have a video of an opponent that's played like two years ago And then he's played three months ago. It's completely different You know, maybe he was not confident back then. He's confident now. So it it all it all kind of like you got to take care of everything like so That's why I'm saying again these young guys especially because they're just up and coming and you don't have a lot of information on them and and you You don't know what to expect so you kind of have to go back into yourself and try to do the things that you do the best on the board And then just focus on that and then what happens Problem solved as it's happening. It's a constant chess game really isn't it like on the fly a running game of chess Yeah, do you take notes on that? Yeah, I got I got a lot I got a recording Last thing on matchups, and then I want to move on to you like Davis Cup and the culture that you come from but We you've played against big range of players and we see if you've got a victory against Sina And obviously there's a lot of talk around that guy at the moment and is there anything that you notice? I mean you've been literally on the other side of the net to him What what are we missing like what we we see where he's good, and you know, he's got very little weaknesses What is it about his game in particular? That's just separating him from the power. I think it's just faster Yeah weaker standing closer to the baseline even putting that pressure on him and now you can see the difference how much he's improved in every segment of the game Yeah, and I would say like if you have no of our Karafa and Roger if they've been standing like let's say On like a meter and a half from the baseline. He's standing maybe one meter from the baseline or closer and you can see how quick he's And obviously I think this is my personal opinion, but I think you can't teach kids to move like him because he comes from skiing and the way he moves is A little bit different than what you would teach kids in how to move in tennis. Yeah Because he's constantly like position his his legs towards the net and he's not even opening the hips Yeah, he's just standing like like he's on the slopes. His tips are downhill. He hits the whole time Yeah, so I think so I think also that's one of the things where he's different than the other guys because the way he moves like He's able to hit the ball in front of him constantly because he's Moving as he's on the slopes and I think it's gonna be really interesting to see how he's gonna change the game of tennis in the next four or five years So when are we going skiing boys? Yeah, let's go skiing. I'll wait to retire so I can go skiing for a month. Yeah, yeah, yeah Um Your country has such a rich culture of tennis. You know, I don't have to start with the names that have come out of there Talk to us about what tennis was like for you growing up. Was it was it as mainstream as we might think it is because the you guys produce so many quality plays I was so far from mainstream all um I'll give you a little story To see I think this can also give you kind of a I would say a little bit more understanding of the mentality of the players coming from this region compared to the western countries Um, we've been to a tournament under 16. I think in Slovakia or whatever And back then, you know, nobody had money in Serbia like you don't have money to travel If you get if your parents give you money for two tournaments It's like these two tournaments and then let's see when it's the next time you're gonna travel to the tournament So we've been in Bratislava, Slovakia and Me and my friend who's not playing anymore is coaching. We're watching Dan Evans playing a match. Oh, well because Dan Evans is my age So um he's playing and I think it was five old thirds at 30 all so he serves the guy like just blocks it's going lob like it's going All the way up in the air. He doesn't even let it bounce. He hits this match from the baseline And he makes it and and I think he won the match But that doesn't matter the thing is like we're thinking like man He doesn't give a fuck, you know He's just smashing that ball 30 all five all and then in our head is like if it's five all 30 all and somebody's returning like that You're like oh shit, I can't miss this because I just I just have money for this tournament if I lose here You're constantly calculating, you know, yeah, so even your mentality is different because you're like You know, I have to make it. I have to do that. He's like I don't give a fuck like next week next tournament next week next tournament You know because the federation is big right? You're being supported since you're you know born. Yeah, so that's a little bit difference in the mentality I would say and that that's from where we came from and that's how like Why we're doing things like that on the court compared to some other guys from different countries Mid-match hot selection based on It's not based, but that's in our head like we are thinking it's based It's not and it shouldn't be like this is the way he did It's a healthy way like that's how you should be as a kid, you know go to a tournament and have fun enjoy Play, you know, but in the back of your mind you have all this baggage and then and so yeah I mean, it's a funny thing because like you know when you when you go back you see Even now when you're making some kind of decisions, they go way back from when you were a kid So yeah, we're the product of all of our decisions. Yeah, yeah, wow It's it's so crazy to hear stories like that But it really does drive home the like the the drive and the fire that the guys from your region kind of have It's like that yeah like you said there's no it's not a joke. It's not a hobby. It's like you you sacrifice This is my next two months with which direction I go yeah one thing that I also take note from People from your country is the what's what's really important and whilst you guys have this crazy fire and drive to be You know, so great. There's also a level of like well, it is just sports as well and at the at the same time Where I'm from like there's a very strong connection to home. I always relate like the um The the yoked story after he won the NBA final. He's like no, I have to get home like I don't want a party celebrate I've done my work. I've I've sacrificed to get this. I've got a horse race to get back to my family whatever it is But you see that with Novak you see it with tip salvage. You see with these guys. They like okay. I've done my job Now let's let's let's be with my family the people who supported me and it's just I don't think we really see much of that from from tennis fans perspective But I know there's a really strong like family connection and culture from where you're from too. Yeah 100% 100% and I mean, that's why we had Also success in Davies copy tp cup as well because um at the end we we play for each other and we come up as a team And then that the loss or the win is celebrated or you know been mourned by the team as well And and I think that's what kept us all these years being so tight and so close off the court as well And and especially when you're traveling that much and like your friends or your colleagues as well It's it makes it a little bit easier because otherwise you're constantly alone and you feel isolated so so I think this This generation of the players before me and my generation that's how we operate it like the newer generations there a little bit more How would I say like a little bit more independent independent more focused on like I don't know Social media like it's hard to you know even go for dinner all together right now like yeah That's what we've been doing like I would say between 23 and until I was 30 or whatever until Yanke and Victor and Philip and everybody else Retired like every week every tournament where we are we go two three times to dinner all together and it's all you know Boys night out yeah having fun and and that's that's what also was you know The the cause of having a long career as well because you're enjoying you and your community But now I feel like it's much more isolated like Everyone's all the players are with their own teams like it's it's just like starting very early to be very focused on on only one thing and nothing else and then I feel like you burn out yeah much quicker. Yeah So I don't know maybe there's a crack in the shield there with the younger's then I think so yeah Well, there's that that disconnective like what's like a true driver like you know There's some things that can motivate you that are so shallow And then you got some things that are just so much deeper that can kind of push you in the room Yeah, it could be that too About that pride and sense of way of from we saw right no back the other year After we run the gold medal obviously very emotional It's funny. We ask a lot of players. Oh, what's their hierarchy like what's there? What's the cream of the crop the number one thing you would like to achieve and I think a lot of players in western countries It's very individual goals. You know, I want to win win-win-win for myself where I want to win this Whereas I find a lot of people from Europe It's a lot more country-centric like I want to represent my country whether it be for the Olympics or whether it be for you not a couple Davis cup Where do you think that comes from and do you agree but also like if you have 24 grand slams like It's a different perspective, I would say like there's one empty spot on this man. So yeah Good point. Yeah That's why I mean if you have like a couple grand slams under your belt you're obviously gonna Aim towards the Olympics next or not. I don't know but If somebody asked Novak before or 24 grand slams, I don't know what he's answered Regardless that being said like you could really see that 15 grand slams before that the reaction was not even close to the Olympics. So yeah, it doesn't mean a lot and yeah, I think that It's just the countries are very small You know region and you know, there's not a lot of people so so even the people the fans in the country It's their daily success if your favorite player wins you're celebrating with him And I think that's where the connection comes from as well because These people like even like in the past we've We've had two wars and then going through all of that. It's just you're celebrating this wins of as if they're your own So neighbor. Yeah, you're relating to this even the losses and and that's why I think it's it's such a strong connection to to your country And you know if you're from a country that has 100 300 million people. Yeah, you don't relate in that sense That makes perfect sense. Yeah, we're very mindful of your time. We know you you had a grueling match this morning Make we appreciate it last couple of questions before we finish up here, but I just as a selfish tennis fan. I just want to let you open up the floor here is there And keep in mind we do have some listeners, but these aren't gonna get out too much But have you got any cool on to you've been on to a for a long time. You've got to have some cool little stories that maybe a lot of people Is there any stories you could share with us that you'd be happy to share with us? You're putting me on this part here. I mean, I don't know. I definitely have, but I can't just shoot them on my head Between now when we wrap up if anything comes up just Your favorite moment of your career so far That's another one I'll put you on this part. I do understand anything that stands out. Yeah, I would say Winning first ATP title. Yeah, I would say winning ATP cup Yeah, I would say losing Davis Cup final which is not favorite, but like, you know important important moment. Yeah, because it's not all like good moments um I would say those three are like kind of, you know defining my career in a different way Chris being long man. You got a lot to filter some sort of man Still going. Still writing about halfway through. That's good. Yeah halfway through. Yeah We just got a quick rapid fire 10 questions to get to know you nice and short and sharp. All right, are we ready? Ready. You got a favorite TV show you like to binge Office the office really well, I've got for you. I've seen office Five six times. Yeah, I've seen entourage. I've seen oh If you're old, it's good one. It's an amazing. Oh, Johnny drama. My favorite character. I mean, that was my 18 18 20 years age Um watching Seinfeld now. Yeah, yeah, rewatching them rewatching that do you like curb enthusiasm? Curb your enthusiasm. Do you know that one? I don't know that one. So yeah, Larry David who helped write Seinfeld has his own show And yeah, curb your enthusiasm. You'll enjoy sitcom as well. Yes, very very so HBO HBO I've seen sopranos few times. Oh nice. Yeah, classic. Yeah, I've seen a lot of shows few times Yeah, I mean go travel. You got to find ways to pass time, right? Yeah, that's cool before a match Music podcast silence music music music and napping. Yeah, and you go to a particular artist or Pop smoke has been lately. Oh nice. There we go. My girlfriend Uh, gave me a little playlist now There's a lot there's um from Kendrick to Kodak Black Travis a lot All the gangster rep. Yeah, we got that's that age again That's a few young guys. Yeah, and that's perfect. That's what girlfriends are grateful. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, okay. I like this Uh, greatest of all time. Goat ice cream flavour. Um, I would say chocolate. Yeah, it's hard to be Classic. Yeah, we had we had a guy like the guy you chopped up this morning man. He's Justin. He said vanilla You can go. I mean, I was like, okay, I don't know. I mean, I was like German vanilla. Yeah. No, it's Italian. Yeah. Just vanilla. Yeah. No ice cream is great though. What's your pre-match meal? Um breakfast eggs um avocado toast all the fruit yogurt healthy simple all the simple. Yeah If I play in the evening burger no, I'm sure I was like dang dogs. And now pasta carbs. Yeah, come up. Of course favorite surface you like to plan play of course. Yeah, of course. Yeah Uh, if you could bring anyone over to your house. Okay for dinner. All right. Do you go to cook for them? All right. Who are you bringing? What are you cooking? I was a carbonara. Yeah, it's my um my physio the the previous physio Italian teach me how to do carbonara. Nice Who would I invite? I don't know Maybe Eminem. Oh Okay, he's a man. I used to be a fan when I was a kid. Yeah. Yeah. There's a reason I got into hip-hop because Eminem Again, I feel like the same age like how old are you? 36. I said we were same age. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, 38. I mean, I was looking forward to this. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm an old bag of shit. I am Mr. Boy They're still going to run DMC. Yeah. Well, I mean kind of but when you mention Eminem It's like Eminem like every CD. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Like Yeah, I puked on my sweater, dude. Yeah, just a fit of This is an interesting one. Um, so yeah, um Ming spaghetti and writing Eminem. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah boy. Yeah He just walks in you like Mom help me made it must be yeah. Yeah, he changed the game Interesting won't If you could change a rule in tennis that previous ones weren't interesting. No, those are the warm-ups. They're the warm-ups If you could change a rule in tennis. Yeah to help you. Okay. What do you change you? Um Just play with one serve one serve. Yeah, take away a lot of big guns. I'll do that kicker wide I can down the line bang down the game plan but but Simple. Yeah, I don't know if you know, but um, you've heard of the hype of the one-point slam. It's taking place On Friday they're doing the camera qualifying. Okay, and I think we're gonna see a lot of kick because it's all one serve Kick serve out wide that can down the line. Yeah, we might be able to take some notes. Yeah, that's it Finally Just some yourself up describe yourself in one word Persistent It's good. You don't get to be on tour for this long with a crew like this without my persistent right. Yeah, it can't be flaky So yeah, you have to be flaky Zad, thank you so much for your time today, man. We really appreciate you guys. It's great meeting you We learned a lot for sure and yeah, not only good luck You know this week this month down here rosy, but like the entire secret man you got two fans here So we really appreciate it. Thank you. All right, you're playing for the 30-year-olds. Yeah, yeah, get it done for us Thanks so much, guys. Thanks for listening.