Tennis: Davis win caps Serb miracle

Janko Tipsarevic. Photo / Getty Images

Janko Tipsarevic doesn't like to talk about miracles.

The world No 49 was in the Serbian team that took the Davis Cup last month, coming from behind to beat France. Despite their war-torn past and relative poverty, this country of just seven million has boasted a clutch of grand slam winners and world number ones over the past four years - the Cup completes the miracle.

"I don't buy the Rocky Balboa story that we are better players because we didn't have money when we were young," says Tipsarevic. "But, not to cry or anything, I'm telling you that it is much harder for us than [most] other countries. We have won the Davis Cup and we still don't have an [outdoor] hardcourt in the country."

Novak Djokovic staged a successful tournament in Belgrade last year, and there are plans for facilities - but there is no doubt Serbia is one of the poorest cousins in Europe. Their tennis federation has an estimated annual budget of US$1.5 million and they have fewer than 2000 registered players.

"The federation does nothing," says Tipsarevic. "It is all down to individual effort and help from the parents. Nobody else gives a damn or helps."

There is no doubt the difficult past fuelled the Serbian hunger. Stories abound of Ana Ivanovic practising every morning in a disused Belgrade swimming pool when the city was quiet and the Nato bombing ceased. Djokovic's father says a young Novak used to ignore the air raid sirens, preferring to hit balls than shelter in a basement.

Before 2010 Serbia had never won a world group match; last year they beat four former champions (the US, Croatia, the Czech Republic and France) on their way to the trophy.

Tipsarevic, who won both singles rubbers in the semifinal against the Czechs, puts the success down to team spirit.

"These guys are my best friends," says the 26-year-old. Djokovic chimes in: "We all have an input into who is going to play and who will rest. Playing with [them] is like playing with your brothers. We have fun together on and off the court."

Tipsarevic rose to fame at the Australian Open three years ago, when he pushed Roger Federer before losing 6-7 (5) 7-6 (1) 5-7 6-1 10-8 in an epic third round clash. He has beaten nine top 10 players, including Andy Roddick (twice), Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych.

The bespectacled Serb cuts an unlikely figure on court. Several tattoos adorn his body - most famously a quote from Dostoevsky's The Idiot ('Beauty will save the world') on his left arm, stencilled in Japanese.

In Melbourne this week, Tipsarevic had three match points before losing to world No 9 Fernando Verdasco in five sets. Serb No 3 Victor Troicki, who was runner-up at the Sydney event, bowed out injured in the third round to Djokovic.

"Apart from basketball, every other sport in Serbia is doing lousy," says Tipsarevic. "We have a few good football players but they do nothing as a team."

The colourful Serb has been to Auckland once, in 2008, but plans to return to the Heineken Open soon.

"One of the next few years, I'm going to play Auckland and then go to Melbourne."