Of Novak Djokovic

Matić М., Tennis “Serbo–Croatian Grand Slam” оf Novak Djokovic PHYSICAL CULTURE 2011; 65 (2): 106-112

VIEW OF EVENTS

Milivoje Matić 796.342:929 Djoković N. View of Events

Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade

“SERBO–CROATIAN GRAND SLAM” OF NOVAK DJOKOVIC

1. PRECIDING (“CONFESSIONAL”) NOTE

It may seem as a paradox, but this “textual vol- ...Then, on April 14, 2011 – on a day the least ley” (i.e. an attempt to “point” before “the issue hits signiﬁ cant for Serbian tennis (Djokovic did not take the ground”), or an expert “report” was made – unex- part in the Masters in Monte Carlo, Tipsarevic was pectedly (yet, in a “counter planned way”!) and cer- beaten in the ﬁ rst round, Troicki “was torturing” him- tain “author’s hesitation” is notable in its design and self...) – on April 14, therefore, our author did not shaping for publication”1)... endure: “I will write something about Djokovic!...”

...Nevertheless, the idea of writing it has missed neither a motive, nor reason, but only – let us use tennis jargon – one of “winner diagonals” (in the moment when everyone expected a “parallel”)...

1) Having written the text TENNIS “JEWEL(S)” ON THE SPORTS “NECKLACE” OF SERBIA, dedicated to a real enterprise of Ser- bian athletes (Davis-Cup winning, in early December 2010), the author fi rst sent it to one of his distinguished colleagues, a university professor (Theory of Physical Education) – for “further action”... In the accompanying e-mail, he, so to say, apologized because (after more than 10 years of his “journalistic pension”), he could not refrain from writing this text, because “the winning salad bowl” was such a technical challenge, that – and that is the point of this “confessional note“! – will not happen again during his “mandate on the earth”... Following the publication of the expert report in “Physical Culture” (No. 1 / 2010) his abovementioned “fi rst reviewer” suggested the same author in his e-mail to write a text that would be dedicated solely to Novak Djokovic, who – as it was written literally in the e-mail – “... aspires to the peaks of world tennis”... It was in early March of 2011, therefore, before the tournament in Miami, and before Dokovic’s “epic win” in the fi nals over the “world’s number one”, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal!.. Consistent to his “professional line,” the author has resisted to this (outstanding!) professional challenge – thinking, (among other things) that the Djokovic was anyway “written all about” – all over the planet... Moreover, he thought that a signifi cant number of these texts were “choral productions,” that Djokovic’s successes was treated as a “general observation of a sports moment” (often only as “golden goose” of media), while as a professional issue it was trivialized to the level of irrelevance... 106 Correspondence to: Milivoje Matić, Rudo 1, 11000 Belgrade Matić М., Tennis “Serbo–Croatian Grand Slam” оf Novak Djokovic PHYSICAL CULTURE 2011; 65 (2): 106-112

2. “A WINNING TSUNAMI” tournaments and not because he was “a real treat” for UNRECORDED IN THE (“overfed”) “tennis lovers from all over the world,” but primarily because of the uncertain outcome until RECENT HISTORY OF the end of “tie–break” of the third and deciding set WORLD TENNIS (Nadal won the fi rst, Djokovic won the second) and, in particular, because of the superior gaming chivalry “on both sides of the net”... Yes, those who wrote about this Serbian tennis player in early 2011, “turned” into Lermontov (Mi- …that tennis match, without any doubt, comes chael Jurjevic) a bit, pretending to write a draft for to the top of the overall tennis creativity of modern a new (sports) novel titled “The hero of our time”... times, “shoulder to shoulder” with the unforgettable fi nals at Wimbledon in 2008, between Federer and It is understandable then that all these texts Nadal, who, as we know, are (by consensus!) pro- mainly elaborated Djokovic’s “absolute victory of the claimed “the greatest in the history of tennis” by the season”: winning all four tournaments of the highest most eminent experts of this noble game, and, any- category, “Grand Slam” in Melbourne and “Masters way, it was, as “tennis authorities” said, the best ten- 1000” in Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami... nis that they had seen in their lives… At the same time, it was especially empha- sized, of course, that the “framework” of the four ...However, Djokovic’s “(continuous!) series tournaments was of the highest class! All players of 24 victories,” in 2011 was almost an inevitable ranked in the so–called “top ten” (the top ten on the “slogan” in any newspaper article or in radio or tele- ATP list), with slight variations, participated there. vision reviews dedicated to him... Then it would be (and, it can be, quite understandably) “added” that Therefore, (“it was shouted”!) Djokovic – in this player approached “a step and a half” distance order to win four titles in 2011 – had to win (among towards the record (!) of Ivan Lendl (26 consecutive other things!) the second world ranked tennis players wins) in the “recent history of tennis professional- (a Swiss Roger Federer) for three (!) times, becoming ism” i.e., a “half step” from “the record of records” a kind of “(tournament) nightmare” for this extraor- of John McEnroe (39), thus including the time when dinary tennis master; as well as to win “the World the professionalism of today was, so to say, in “short number one”, a Spaniard Rafael Nadal, for two (!) pants” only… times; the player who – after the fi nal tournament in Miami – and in an utterly sincere and “Nadal–like ...This “series” is, without any doubt (and in way” admitted warmly that Djokovic “is playing the spite of a certain ironic “overtones” in the previous best tennis in the world now”... paragraph), a very important sports performance and a plausible indication of sports “fi tness” of the respec- .. .And that fi nale of theirs in Miami – truth be tive players in a given competition period of the sea- told – son, and it may have been a very interesting “topic” for “publicum heat up” in media (“When will Novak …not only because of 24th consecutive victory break the record?2))...but nothing more ... Especially of “our (!) tennis player” on the highest–ranked world nothing more in terms of professional sport...

2) It cannot be confi rmed, but the presumption that arises here is Djokovic’s abandonment of the “ATP Masters 1000” in Monte Carlo, in the fi rst half of April 2011 – although offi cially explained as a “knee injury” – it was, in fact, a “tactical gambit” of the same “record project “... Namely, Belgrade has already been “plastered with billboards” with Djokovic’s photographs, on which SERBIA OPEN 2011 has been announced, saying that (in the period from April 23 to May 1, 2011) our “tennis hope” should “surpass” Lendl’s record ... Djokovic’s “headquarters”, of course, “knew what is to be done”: the Belgrade tournament is two degrees lower (read: easier!) than the one in Monte Carlo (ATP 1000) both by its rank (ATP 250) and the applied contesters... That is to say, it would be easier for “the world’s number two” to reach another “victory in a row” and so (for now...) precede the previous record of the famous Czech...... Without evil thoughts, this “home analyses pass” may be characterized, at least, as rational, in fact, purposeful… ... And about a “purpose” ...non disputandum est...

107 Matić М., Tennis “Serbo–Croatian Grand Slam” оf Novak Djokovic PHYSICAL CULTURE 2011; 65 (2): 106-112

3. CONDITIO SINE QUA NON proached from a particular perspective, somewhat retroactively (without “hesitation”, but with the in- tention to grasp “dialectical whole” of the problem, Well, what is so special – and in sports terms with a reminder of “a negative phase”) of his.... “vocational”! – that distinguishes this period (Janu- ary – March 2011) of Djokovic’s professional career, ...In fact, it is understandable that nobody from if not the four tournaments of the highest rank, i.e., a “our little Serbia” was pleased to watch, for example, continuous series of 24 victories? the fi nal phase (the fourth set) of the semi–fi nal tennis match at the Australian Open in 2009, between In other words, what was it that could have Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick... That “tor- been spotted on the very court3) as a signifi cantly new ture of the Serb”, was not just about “staying in the quality of Djokovic’s play? game”, but (literary!) “staying on one’s feet” ...which seemed, indeed, a very depressing... The above Nadal’s observation (“Djokovic now plays the best tennis in the world”) or the one by ...And when it happened, it was not surprising the best ranked American player, Mardy Fish, after that there was is not a single “media voice” of these being defeated by Djokovic in the semifi nals of Mi- days (either openly or with euphemisms), tended not ami (“He is breaking us into pieces...”) do not even only to lament the subsequent surrender of Djokovic try to answer any questions. in the match (because of his obvious physical exhaustion), but also to ask “fundamental questions”, Unbiased (or “chilled”) analysts of “tennis such as: why this “tennis hope of ours” in important practice”, among many “parameters”, have espe- matches, in the fi eld, often acted as if not physically cially stressed the following three: improved service, ready? (...which, of course, meant that this athlete did playing from the baseline and the “freshness of the not lack “ultimate tennis knowledge”)... game,” or, colloquially speaking, “physical condition” (or “fi tness“)...... Starting, then, from the fact of relatively insuffi cient physical condition of this (young, but bio- This paper will further consider this third qual- logically unfi nished!) athlete, physical fi tness (there- ity of “Djokovic today”. fore, condition!) necessary for the most diffi cult body efforts, such as tournament matches of contemporary That, colloquially speaking, “(physical) condi- tennis professionals, special “body concerning” tion” is the basis of the smallest sports “structure” is comments of the said “surrendered match” in 2009, not needed to be repeated even to a total amateur in was “heated” at that time by one – to put it mildly, a sport... bit “nervous” – remark (in fact, ordinary – perhaps even intentional? – “replacement of thesis”) about However, regarding the context of the topic “Djokovic’s problem” (namely, about a kind of un- considered in this expert contribution, the problem chivalrous inclination of his to surrender matches) of Djokovic’s (physical) condition should be ap- “launched” by no other than Roger Federer, a sover-

3) Here is the place to mention, if not to elaborate further, that, in the considered period, in 2011, Novak Djokovic was remarkable in “out-court tennis activities.” Here we do not think about his entertaining and “showman appearances”, but about some of his serious and digniﬁ ed solidarity and charity effects. Thus, for example, during matches in Indian Wells and in Miami he had the inscriptions of supporting slogans for the victims of the earthquake in Japan on his stockings and left knee bandage. At the closing ceremony for the winner of the tournament in Miami, the announcer declared that, at the initiative of Novak Djokovic, between tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, a charity football match was played in Bogota (in Bolivia, where the ATP “dropped” for a short time in order to promote tennis in this South American country), and all income ($ 300,000) was sent to the victims in Japan. Finally (which does not mean there was nothing else, but it was not reported in media), it was quite modestly announced in newspa- pers (which is, in fact, the most appropriate way for “public announcement”!) that these days, Novak Djokovic donated $ 100,000 to the monastery of Gracanica in Kosovo for resolving some “property issues” …

108 Matić М., Tennis “Serbo–Croatian Grand Slam” оf Novak Djokovic PHYSICAL CULTURE 2011; 65 (2): 106-112 eign “number one” of these days, who believed that it ...For those who observe (and experience!) should be announced... (Moreover, when this tennis sport in general (and especially the so-called “physi- “magician and ruler” of these years said something cal fi tness”) as something that is “nationally neutral”, about this sport, then many were inclined to take it the problem in question was (and still is, of course!) for granted: Magister dixit...) a very transparent one... Simply, this young athlete, at that time, was ...Moreover, not one of mentioned “observa- not mature enough to “engage himself” into what tions” of this problem has managed to cover up a athletes with longer years of service would call “a clear tendency to connect (if not to “explain”) “the miner’s training” ... (it was known that Nadal, how- occurrence” of Dokovic’s “surrenders” in some im- ever, had already – exaggerated...) portant tennis matches of these years with something “more profound” (namely, with one “entity” that is ...Therefore, it turned out that was the differ- “older” than tennis knowledge and physical fi tness of ence between our (and no less Djokovic’s!) expec- the mentioned athlete)... From the “very beginning” tations, emotions, ambitions, etc., and the “situation of such comments one could read the suspicious on the ground” (i.e. the organ system of the athlete), constructs of “inherited restrictions”, over “national so we have witnessed the appearance of actions for traits”,... to a certain “Lombroso’s eclipse”... which the idiom here printed was invented, and presented in a “more polite” version, “THE SPIRIT IS ...To speculate, however, on this occasion, WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK“... about a “substantial despondency of the tribe”, and deduce its “obviousness” (and “confi rmation”!) from ... It occurs very often in sport (and not just in the conduct of a member of the relevant population, tennis).... of course, is on the brink of any serious professional discourse...... So much about the former Djokovic’s “Achilles heel”4) (insuffi cient level of “freshness on the tennis court”, or physical fi tness for the efforts of

4) This reminder should be used, at least in a footnote, to point to another (human, ethical!) virtue of “the best Serbian tennis player of all times.” ... Namely, to those that represent the cited “Federer’s theses” of certain necessity for “unsparing struggle” in tennis matches, who – noting that this (no doubt a great!) player in more than 800 matches of his surrendered only one – hardly refrain from postulating that each surrender in a sport competition is almost a shameful act by itself, and, in any case, such a “move” is unworthy of top athletes, etc., etc., ... Such theses should be “written-off” for reason that “the theses” are dubious exactly from the perspective of those who supposedly advocate for – sports chivalry... One cannot, in fact, speak of chivalry in a match that has ceased to be “a refi ned contest” and has begun to look like a gladiators’ fi ght with the “expected ending for one of them” ... There is no chivalry in battle “at any cost”, “to opponent’s last drop of ... sweat”, “until he falls on his knees”...... It should be recalled that it is understandable that nobody but the athlete himself (Djokovic, for example) wanted to end the match, in which he had to “surrender”, as a winner, or at least as a “glorious loser” ... Alas, things do not always follow the “heroic model “!... Apotheosis of a tennis match does not happen very often (“they were fi ghting the whole summer day until noon”) when “a hero faces a hero”, as it happened (to remain in the fi eld of the same tennis events), for example, in the AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2009 semifi nals, in a match Nadal-Verdasco... Therefore, this incredible tennis match, “fi ve hours long and in fi ve sets” should not be taken as a kind of “standard” for assessing (and condemnation!) of Djokovic’s “surrender” to Andy Roddick, in the last round of the same tournament… ... Since any tennis match is (also) “a world of its own”, it was clear – long before the act of “surrender” – that our tennis player, as chess players would say, was with an apparent “lack of both materials and the position”... Therefore, his “incriminating move” should be considered not only reasonable and prudent (with an emphasis on “medical rationality”) but with a touch of a peculiar (sic!) dignity: “If I cannot be like the one I, otherwise, am, I do not want to be anybody”...... With the default “care for health”, it should be noted that it is not quite chivalrous to continue with “playing out” the fourth (and possibly the fi fth) set in a match in which one of the players “just couldn’t do it”; so if it “is not his day”, if he only continues to play “without passion”, but without a will, only “to welcome the end, and not to surrender,” by which he, of course, tortures (and “hurts”), not only himself and the spectators, but also undermines the dignity of sport with such “unplayable play”… …The previous chess term of “lack of material and position” is not written by chance. Namely, in these sports “moral dilemmas”, chess example can serve as a good landmark ... Because, has anyone ever mentioned “lack of chivalry” (not to speak about cowardice, or anything similar) to Gligoric or Ljubojevic, although they had ended dozens of their chess matches with – “surrender “!!!... (“Only a novice would play to the last pawn...”)

109 Matić М., Tennis “Serbo–Croatian Grand Slam” оf Novak Djokovic PHYSICAL CULTURE 2011; 65 (2): 106-112 the highest order), not for its own sake, but for the been, perhaps – of course, too fast! – thought that it radically different (better!) image of the same prop- has “no connection” to what has been written so far), erty to be refl ected on it, as if it would have appeared that is, to “the preceding note” itself... on the “mobile’s display”, in early 2011...... At least two very reasonable questions could ...Because the image was, indeed, as if it had be asked at this point: been taken from “the column” “Believe it or not?”... 1. Is it possible that none that has been written ...That same Djokovic who, in some match- until now was known before that “trigger” of 14 April es two years ago, literary speaking, “could barely 2011? and, move” in the fi eld and who, because of exhaustion, 2. What was it so signifi cantly new that was unable to complete some of them (“but surren- happened that day which made it possible to shape an dered”), looks like an ancient mythical Theseus this expert article about this Serbian tennis player? year (who receives a special power when touching the ground)... It was known, but since “everyone knew” that, it just did not make sense to make “an article” about it... …Let the example for the previous hyperbole be only a brief “sequence” from the last match in the ...Then, that professional-informational “grist” observed period, the fi nal tournament in Miami, Nad- lacked adequate “ferment” (or “yeast”) to “rise” to the text ready for publication... al – Djokovic...... So, while, at the very end of this three hours ...Thus, on 14 April that year, Belgrade and a half long “tennis match on the barricades”, after newspaper “Politika” dedicated one of its “shock” one of long points of “cross-fi re from the main line,” pages to “an unprecedented miracle”: it was shown “the King of Tennis” (Nadal), losing the ball on his (with the quotes and the names of journalists, authors own (!) service, was almost leaning against the fence, of texts) how Zagreb media (primarily the “Morning in a crouched position supporting his body, with his paper”) with affection (even with love!) wrote about hands on his knees, trying to somehow “catch his a Serb, an athlete... breath” with long breathing... at the same time the “Crown Prince” (Djokovic) was hopping relaxed be- ...The same one (adds “the maker” of this hind his baseline, “spinning his racket”, expecting his “volley”) who delivered all of his fi nal, offi cial opponent to compose himself and serve again... “winning speeches” in front of the cameras (that is, before millions of viewers around the Planet!) in ... Indeed, an amazing picture!!!... the current year, with a cap on his head, where on two (!) places (with capital letters!) was written ... SERBIA… 4. LOVE EACH OTHER, PEOPLE!5) ...Of course, it was Novak Djokovic!...... It would be expected “here”, for example, ....Now, let us go back to the beginning of this that the cap “there” was perceived as a “provocation” “textual volley”, fi rst, on its title (for which it has (“Oh, what a Serbian nationalist!...”), but, alas, “from

5) Тhe reader will not further burden himself by processing complex “combination of associations” that – when the decision was made to “write something” about Novak Djokovic on 14 April 2011 – there was a thought, a memory of an intelligent, thin man from Srem, Vasilije Vaso Popovic.... This journalist used to publish his wonderful articles in the regular section (now called “column”) in NIN magazine, titled LOVE EACH OTHER, PEOPLE some 50-odd years ago... Later, the selection of these articles was published as a book with the same title...... It will be sufﬁ cient to note that this was a time when, in this social environment, the society was coming out of epochal (and “epic”!) projects of “struggle, rehabilitation, and reconstruction” and began to think about ordinary “human things “.... The love among us, for example...... And emphasize that the slogan LOVE EACH OTHER, PEOPLE! appeared before the advent of “hippies” and other “ﬂ ower children” ...

110 Matić М., Tennis “Serbo–Croatian Grand Slam” оf Novak Djokovic PHYSICAL CULTURE 2011; 65 (2): 106-112 there” they strike back (in large letters of the subtitle!) ...For days after, this “expert observer” repeat from word to word, with “For 25 years the world has silently and loudly (just in case – when he was been waiting for a tennis player with a human face”... alone!...) these (it is not exaggeration to say) real apostolic words! .. (...Love each other, people!...). ...And he could not “calm himself down” with …Furthermore, in the same Zagreb newspaper, surprise how those words are simple, but (really!) it was said for the Serbian athlete: “... he showed that true.... How they can “hit the right thing” (national in this serious sport it is possible to be twenty–three dignity or identity) on one hand, include all its and be smart, to be smart, and have fun, to have fun complexity, delicacy, and its current “development and play serious tennis “... phase” (international relations), on the other hand....

(...Well, it seems that people (is it possible?) of ...Finally (but, above all!), how those words this (“Balkan”!) region (again! –fortunately!) – love are “topped with” a kind (in fact, rare!) of optimistic each other...) humbleness...

...And, ﬁ nally, in that – let us say – affection ...And even then, – three years ago – it was (not overdone with the previous “invocation of clear that Novak Djokovic in Montreal won another love”!), in that benevolence of the cited Zagreb “masters”, ... on “the ground” immeasurably more media, the anthological “Serbo–Croatian Incident” delicate than that of tennis... that happened three years ago was mentioned, which ...It was Nole’s “cup of love for all fellow was the real spiritus movens for these considerations... men”....

...After the “Masters” Tournament in Montreal ...The main “theme” of this “volley” would (in in 2007, at the closing ceremony of the winners’ another occasion) be “richly” developed by ancient announcement, the offi cial announcer (by mistake, or recent “confi rmation” of close and loving relations or “with a target”?...) presented the winner, Novak between Croats and Serbs in Belgrade (and Serbia in Djokovic, as – a Croat!?!.... general), both in sport and beyond – at least those in culture and arts...... Anyone who “knows the Serbs” (“but the right ones”) could (“at once”!) list at least 10–odd For example, the Serbs have adored their (“noble”) “brethren” who – if they were, in the legendary Rajko (Mitic), but nonetheless they did aforesaid period, found in Montreal, instead of “own” Bobek (Stjepаn).... (Even in Belgrade “The Djokovic – would not allow the speaker fi nish the Society Rajko - Bobek” has been active for decades!... sentence of his “tirade”, but would “correct” him immediately (barely concealing “the tremor of ...Likewise, Robert Prosinecki (thus, a Croat) Adam’s apple”!), for example, with the word: “Who’s has not only brought a new spirit into the game of a Croat?... I?..” Red Star Belgrade players (once as a player, now a ... Our “young tennis player”, however, calmly coach), but he also brought thousands of new “fans” (even without a “tick” on his face) listened to both the to the “Marakana” stadium (in love with football and speaker and several tournament offi cials and, when – Prosinecki...).... he got the microphone to say “his words”, he began, turning his face towards the speaker, with these words (...To the same “thematic series” a popular (according to translation by RTS commentator): football goalkeeper and captain of the football teams of Velez, Partizan Belgrade, Saint-Étienne “I AM A SERB .... BUT I’M NOT ANGRY WITH and Yugoslav representation, Ivan Curkovic could YOU TO INTRODUCE ME AS A CROAT... IT’S be introduced, who was the president of the Serbian THE SAME THING…” Olympic Committee at the beginning of 21st century (!)... Namely, the local “sports establishment” did not (...Love each other, oh, people!... And learn about mind the fact that Curkovic is a Croat while choosing love from those who really know how to love!...) him for this position....)

111 Matić М., Tennis “Serbo–Croatian Grand Slam” оf Novak Djokovic PHYSICAL CULTURE 2011; 65 (2): 106-112

...Then, “the line” could be “strengthened” cannot do it; no matter they are all Christians by soul with examples from culture and arts6)... who bear in mind the biblical, Christ’s message of love, even towards “their enemies”...... However, do not exaggerate .... Keep in mind that inter-ethnic relations on one hand are of the protean ...And that is completely human... nature, and, on the other hand, their consolidation (the “fermentation”!) requires long period7)...... Fortunately, there are people (both Serbs and Croats), who in some “painful and bloody clashes of ... And at the very end… ours,” have not lost their loved ones or suffered any signiﬁ cant damage...

5. A VERY IMPORTANT POST ...Well – says this recorder – these would at least be able to keep in mind the mental message SCRIPTUM from another (Serbian–Montenegrin) “Bible” of ours (Njegos’s MOUNTAIN WREATH): “...Still grave- The person who “performs” this “textual vol- yard turf shall bring forth many a ﬂ ower, for coining ley” knows (what’s more, advanced years have righ- kindred in Time’s later Hour!”… teously equipped him with the proper knowledge) that there is a large number of Croats and Serbs inca- ...Therefore, on our “severe Balkan hills”, love pable of loving “the other party” objectively... They should be given a little “boost”…

REFERENCES

1. Kotаrbinjski, T. (1964): Trаktаt o dobrom 3. From, E. 1989): Umijeće ljubаvi The [Art of delаnju [Treatise on good acting]. Beogrаd: Loving]. Zаgreb: Nаprijed. Nolit. 2. Matić, M. (2010). Тennis “jewel(s)” on the sports “necklace” of Serbia. Physical culture,, 64(2), 89-94. Receive: 30.4.2011. Accepted: 25.6.2011.

6) ... For example, Igor Mandic, a famous Croatian writer, whenever a guest in Belgrade in recent years, at various cultural and artistic occasions (no matter what may be thought in Zagreb about his visits!), could hardly manage to sign all his books, “brought to him” in Belgrade by the fans of this “outspoken” writer...... Also, “The Glembays” by Krleza are (again!) a hit of this year’s Belgrade theatre season...... And so on.... recalling: - that (if the information is not wrong?) the ﬁ rst president of the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Josif Pancic, was also a Croat (and, anyway, was born in Croatia) ... - that Nikola Tesla said: “I am proud of my Serbian origin and my Croatian homeland” - that (if the information is not wrong?) undoubtedly the greatest Serbian writer (“of all times”), Ivo Andric, was also of Croatian descent, - and that Vladan Desnica, the author of (among others) the great novel THE SPRINGS OF IVAN GALEB – for which an eminent specialist in literature, most recently, has claimed that “he was, in addition to Andric, one of the greatest writers” – kept insisting he was “both Croatian and Serbian writer”...

7) This text was completed on 17 April 2011 ... By the verdict of The Hague Tribunal in the “Storm Case” of 15 April 2011, “the mutual affections of Croats and Serbs” can be tem- porarily “settled “.... But they will not cease!..

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