Sean,
as a fan indifferent to both players, I want to say that What Roddick did was more wrong than what Djoko did.

Imagine Murray in Wimbledon, telling to the crowd that maybe Roddick is faking! It was obvious how much Djoko was hurt. To him, it was an accusation, not a joke.

It is politically wrong to do what he did, but watching the clip again, he is not accusing Roddick of anything. He just says it was not nice. The crowd should have booed Roddick for teasing a fellow player.

I think they both need to take a break from the microphone. If I need to choose just one, I would go with Roddick. He is funny, but he doesn’t know where to stop.

September 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

“flat-out unload on Roddick”

Ahh yes, that was, again, a thing of beauty – Im still trying to decide what was more sublime…Djokovic coming out and mopping the court with Roddick or the interview where he said exactly what he thought and what needed to be said…very refreshing to see someone that doesnt pander to the media.

September 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

I think Robredo felt what happened to Djokovic was a loss of condition. He was not fit enough to complete the match. So he called out trainers so he could catch his breath and hopefully disrupt Robredo’s rhythm.

Roddick understands that players have little injuries throughout, but that those injuries are not likely to affect them much in the course of a match, and suddenly “flare up” when they are losing.

Roddick said it, but his implication was that he’s not going to treat Djokovic’s injuries as “real” as if he can somehow take advantage of a person who is suffering. And Djokovic played like nothing was wrong (which isn’t to say something wasn’t hurting in the Djokovic-Robredo match, because it could have been something that hurt for a little while but felt better the next day) against Roddick.

As it was, Roddick, who meant the comment in a throwaway kind of manner, probably didn’t expect Djokovic to take it this way. It almost feels like they wanted to make it a bigger deal to get more media (like other sports where distractions are often bigger than the actual sporting event).

September 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm

that guy makes fun of everybody else (remember the impersonations?) but can’t take a comment like the one andy’s made?

very weak!

September 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

I elected to turn off sound for the Dementieva spectacle. That croaking on every shot is a deal breaker, and the girlie screams after missed shots is just ruining tennis as a spectator sport. Others do it to, but they don’t train to do it on every shot. Some women are just on the wrong frequency, and I can’t stand it.

September 5th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

When I first heard the reports of Roddick prior to the match I understood it to mean that Roddick was calling him a faker, and being dishonest about his injuries. I don’t think it was wrong to say that if that was what Roddick believed, (I believe Robredo alleged that Novak was faking during his match with Novak and stood by his word). But after Roddick was beaten he said he was only joking. I don’t think you joke about things like that. He would not appreciate others saying thing like that to him and then say I was only joking. Either you stand by what you said or you apologize. You don’t hide behind, I was just joking, defense. I watched the match and the way that the crowd was cheering before Novak was about to serve was not proper tennis etiquette. It was something you might see in a non westernized country, like a South American country. You would never see that type of behavior in Europe. In the end we have to realie that it is only a sporting event, and we mainly come to see an entertaining tennis match, not win at all cost/nationalistic contest. By the way I am an American.
Paul

September 5th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

The fire in this controversy was lit by Tommy Robredo. He is the one who made the most acute comments about Djokovic in the press conference.
He blatanly said that he didn’t trust Djokovic.
Roddicks comments were icing on the cake…but the next time Djokovic meets up with Robredo look out because hes going to be looking to give him a thumping as well.

September 5th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

women play tennis,

Dementieva’s serve is cracking again today; too bad as she was doing okay in that department for once in that last little while. But so many double faults today.

Jankovic’s game is exciting in many ways. But, I really wish she’d build more aggression into it – take a page from Novak. If she did, she’d have an even better all-court game with a lot of variety and power.

September 5th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Sean, wow.

September 5th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Paul,

I posted this on the previous thread:

A member of the crowd yelled out “MARDY” when Rafa was about to serve during the Mardy/Rafa match as well; that yeller was promptly escorted off the court by security and Mardy gave Rafa back 1st serve. They stopped the play immediately. That didn’t happen last night – they played through it all.

So the yelling out is nothing new. But I thought Novak showed some fierce focus to play through it. The New York Times said this:

“Ignoring a cry of “double fault” that rained down from the upper deck of Arthur Ashe Stadium and was meant to strike him down like a bolt of lightning, Novak Djokovic tossed the ball and uncorked a 125-mile-an-hour serve.”

Probably, Novak’s explosion was in part inspired by the crowd’s yelling out, although in his mind or heart, he clearly had a score to settle.

September 5th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

Why was Roddick wrong on calling Djokovic out on something everyone seems to agree on??…. He takes too much time between points, and he calls for medical attention just because he’s to tired to playing so that gives him a little break…. Roddick said pretty much the same thing Robredo did, the only difference is that he did with a little bit of humor.

September 5th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

LIFETIME Network proudly presents, “Are You There God? It’s Me Novak.”
Starring a Jonas Brother as “Novak,” Britney Spears, and Vincent D’Onfrio, as the parents.

Born into a land where ethnic cleansing was rife, the son of a pizza and donut maker fled the land in order to become a multi-millionaire tennis player living in Monte Carlo. Witness the young multi-millionaire’s “injuries” and teen angst– oh, wait he’s an adult–adult angst. Witness his endless watershed moments due to his endless drama.

Click here to watch the scene where, when down in the fifth set 5-0, Novak claims he needs a trainer due to menstrual cramps.

Please, can we move on from this bore!

September 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

NachoF
I think the difference was that Robredo said that once in his presser. But Roddick said it twice, once in the presser and once to the crowd, BEFORE his match! In a way his words influeneced the crowd’s judgement against Djoko. Joke or no joke.

Anyway, I have seen Djoko’s many faces, but last night he was not even angry, he was hurt.

Roddick is a fun guy. He is known for hispractical jokes and witty press conferences. I think this was taken too far perhaps with no bad intention from either side.

Anyway, all is good now, but the press has a great story to write for years. It needs some serious guts to stand up in the middle of the biggest court in the world and say exactly how you feel. I think I might start liking this guy.

September 5th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

‘It needs some serious guts to stand up in the middle of the biggest court in the world and say exactly how you feel.’

not sure about that..its easier to say FU after winning a match. But yeah, it was better than a fake diplomatic statement.

JJ makes it to her first final. she has looked tired last few months, so happy for her.

September 5th, 2008 at 5:13 pm

The problem is not what was said during a press conference or an on-court interview. The problem is you have a player with serious gamesmanship issues.
What do you teach your children,” Most precious snowflake God ever put on planet Earth, whenever you want just stop in the middle of a game because you are losing. You have every right, precious snowflake, to use any means necessary to win.”

It does not take guts to mouth off in reaction to comments made concerning cheating, which is what Novak does. What Roddick and Robredo, along with the numerous other players, have said was right.
The problem is the gamesmanship and you are congratulating him on the fact he cheats.

Everyone has to be a fangirl and react that way. It’s the reason we turn a blind eye towards cheating. These are adult men at their jobs. Why do you accept such low standards?

September 5th, 2008 at 5:15 pm

tennisontherocks,

I agree re: JJ. I was happy to see her reach the final, too. And there she was smiling and crying at the same time, so clearly she’s feeling like she’s jumped a hurdle here after being in a number of semis. Good for her.

September 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

Novak really didn’t say anything that bad. It’s nothing new from NY fans anyhow… They’ve booed their own teams out of stadiums. And God forbid anyone besides American athletes get aggravated.

The impersonations Novak does are clearly in jest, and it was widely accepted as a joke. At least Novak waited until after the match to do his trash talking. Now Andy can have a whole year to think about Nole beating him in his very own US open.

September 5th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

Mary,
Roddick said he was joking. so either he doesn’t think Djoko was cheating or he just ate his words.

I did not react to Robredo’s comments. He was the guy on the other side of the net. But if he feels so string, why doesn’t he file a formal complaint?

I agree, the “injury” time out should be used for serious injuries, not for taking more rest. But it should be up to the doctor or the trainer who goes on the court to diagnose that and perhaps report to the umpire. just whining about it wouldn’t change anything.

Besides, Robredo had the most bizzare incident with Kohli in Hamburg . So he is the last person to talk about abusing rules.

Anyway, what Robredo said, was a complaint and what Roddick said was perhaps a joke gone too far.

September 5th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

“The impersonations Novak does are clearly in jest, and it was widely accepted as a joke.”

By whom, the players did not think it was funny. I hope your co-workers impersonate you.

The crowd last night was reacting to a man who cannot take stock in himself and calls out others for his cheating. It may just be the NYC crowd does not see these adult men as precious lost bunnies that must be protected.
Low standards, people, low standards.

September 5th, 2008 at 5:37 pm

GK,

I like the fun stuff the players do “off court”. I am a Rafa fan and I was very offended by Djoko’s impersonation of Rafa, pulling his pant in front of the US Open crowd last year. so, no, it was not widely accepted!

September 5th, 2008 at 5:40 pm

Great article Sean – I really liked it.

I will always love Djoko!

September 5th, 2008 at 6:00 pm

Different people reacted differently to Nole’s impersonations – maria sharaapova said publicly she thought it was funny.

I agree with Sean that Nole really needs some PR help. He just doesn’t have the training to deal with where he is in the world.

And “cheating”? Oh, we the fans know what cheating is but the chair and the entire ATP don’t know? Gamemanship is not cheating. You can disrespect him for it, but it is not cheating. Mary Pierce got all sorts of flak, but she never once broke the rules. He won that match last night and he beat Robredo, too. Back in the day (he doesn’t do it anymore) I’ve seen Rafa call a trainer and stop play when he was down 0/40! bad manners, but not cheating (unless they changed the rules which they should in that case…you should have to wait til the point is over.)

My husband was there last night. We both have seen Roddick behave so badly so many times sowe are happy Nole won.

JJ got alot of flak from Arvidsson in Arviddson’s press moment.

Off to watch Serena and Safina on the DVR.

September 5th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

In my country there is a saying:
El que se lleva.. se aguanta, something like, if you are into the game (of jokes for example) you have to take it, when someone makes it to you. Obiously Roddick was making fun of him as he likes to make fun of others.

September 5th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Paula,
what has Rafa to do with all this?
Rafa had serious foot injuries . the one ( back in the day!) at 2005 took him out of the tour for 6 months. There was a possibility he could never play again. Why calling a trainer for an injury is gamemanship?

See, that’s what I don’t like. The gray area. Anyone can call anyone else on suspicion. If there are proper rules in place, no one can accuse anyone of gamemanship. There is a doctor and a trainer on court. They can tell if a guy is faking an injury. ATP should ask them to report that immediately. Also they should ask the player to provide ATP with follow ups on that health issue. then we will not see so many time outs and so many accusations.

September 5th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

HERE WE GO AGAIN. More Roddick bashing from the fantastic Nadal duo. Read my post on the other thread on “Djokovic booed at the Open”at approx. 6:33pm. Dedicated to the one I love. WHEW!! GO BABY GO, you’ve both got the floor. NEXT.

____________
Mary:
You’re here early. Which thread was the Nadal/Jamaican track team link on? Sorry to be such a slacker, but I can’t remember. I’m brain dead from so much to do and so little time to do it in.

September 5th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

Von: Here you go: http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2008-09-03/601.php.
I was popping in early during an afternoon class-the fun of returning for another degree.
Have a great night!

September 5th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

Djokovic addressed the fact that Robredo had also complained very differently, cause he knew that was no joke… so he said something like… “hey, he lost, its no surprise he would say something like that”…. so again, still a terrible attitude.

September 5th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

Mary:

Thanks for the link to the other thread which will save me some valuable time. Who knows I’ll probably pick up some fodder to nourish my niggle picking. OH WOW.!! I posted to you on the other Djokovic thread.

September 5th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

A-Rod isn’t the first to call Djokovic over his supposed “injuries” but hopefully he’ll now be the last. Quite honestly, for Djokovic to try and bad-mouth A-Rod in front of 24,000 fans – mostly American was just plain stupid as far as I’m concerned. I first saw Djokovic play Federer in a Davis Cup tie a few years back – he was losing – badly – and suddenly he had what looked a real bad ankle injury. He practically had to be carried off the court and everyone thought he would have to quit the game. Five minutes later he was running around like a rabbit … it was obvious that he’d faked the injury to try + disrupt Fed’s rhythm. It didn’t work. At the time Federer also called Djokovic over his “injuries” as he’d done exactly the same thing to Stan Wawrinka – only it upset Stan and Djokovic ended up winning. From that day on I’ve never been a fan of the Serbian – and never will be.

September 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

bravo Nole, thanxs for putting Roddick in his place

September 5th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

“I think they both need to take a break from the microphone. If I need to choose just one, I would go with Roddick. He is funny, but he doesn’t know where to stop.”

Well, as I’ve stated on the other thread, we’re jumping on the Djokovic bandwaggon now and looking for kudos, are we?. That’s to be understood since there’s strength in numbers. A Djokovic-Nadal and a Nadal fan have found common ground for bashing — a liaison, in the form of the ugly American Roddick, and have also discovered similar traits in each other. Great guys.

I’m not shocked at all. I was more shocked to see a person, whom I liked very much and still do, a Roodick fan, recently jumped on the Nadal bandwaggon and has been chumming it up with the Nadal director of Ops. WOW.

“S” and jane, and the other Djokovic fans, you’ve now got a new friend. Please put out the “Red Carpet” and start genuflecting to the Nadal worshipper. You should be so honored to drop down to hanging out with the Djoko fans. I sincerely hope you are much smarter to look past the obvious, which is an attempt to win the Ms. Popularity award. But, in case you don’t then all I can say is ENJOY. Feel free to join in the Roddick bashing which has now been strengthened and escalated to new heights. Gawd, how I wish there were more real, not lukewarm Roddick fans on this site, then it would be such fun. The more the merrier.

As for Roddick not knowing when to stop. What’s this, the pot calling the kettle black? I shouldn’t even make that equation because Roddick does know when to stop. he’s much smarter, and doesn’t involve himself with senseless, incessant Rafa chatter.

Paula, don’t you know talking about Nadal is verbotten? You have just jumped into the lioness’ den. Shame on you!!

It is obvious that this thread’s theme is not about the game of tennis per se, but about bashing the other players, so please everyone, don’t hold back and join in the fun. Hit the gas/accelerator, put your foot on the pedal, and go for it! I’m going toe njoy the firweorks display. July 4th ll over again in full swing, with tympanny and cymbal banging. What’s the saying: “Empty vessels make the most sound”?

September 5th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

I know Roddick played poorly, and if there’s any objectivity it was more Andy losing the match. I don’t want to take away anthing from Djoko’s win, but I saw Andy was wincing, Johny Mc mentioned it too. Maybe all the recent tennis is aggravating his back/shoulder — I don’t know. The double-faults weren’t a choke, it happ;ens when he’s experiencing shoulder problems. When has Roddick ever gone 2 sets without hitting an ace at the USO.? I don’t recall ever.

September 5th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

“I agree, the “injury” time out should be used for serious injuries, not for taking more rest. But it should be up to the doctor or the trainer who goes on the court to diagnose that and perhaps report to the umpire. just whining about it wouldn’t change anything.”

Oh yeah!! By the same token, and using this analogy, what do we call Nadal’s calling for a trainer a few seconds before taking the court at the ’06 MC tourney final, to tape his fingers? This aggravated Fed to no end and his anger made him lose big time. I know my comments on pointing out Fed flaws make me appear to be anti-Fed, but franky, I give him credit for bearing with Nadal’s flagrant disregard and indiscretion toward his fellow player, for his time violations. The time in-between points plus the OCD towelling off, is absolutely mind-boggling and would drive me nuts, much more a player.

What has Nadal got to do in all of this? Can’t take what you dish out, eh? WAKE UP, it’s about bashing the tennis players, not playing the game, that’s the theme of this thread. Suddenly, turning on Robredo, when it’s so obvious, who is supported, the Spanish Armada, e.g., South Americn, Spanish and everything Spanish in-between. No one else is liked, but to gain kudos, now Robredo is the fall guy? OH WOW.

September 5th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

I don’t think anybody (neither the players nor fans)is bothered by the time taken in between serves by any players on the circuit.

What rightly bothers most are Djokovic’s on court antics and, yes, his faking injuries and exagerated and demonstrative ‘heavy breathing’. As Robredo said: ” If you don’t feel fit, don’t go on court ! ”

How can anybody take his ‘pain and suffering ‘ during the Robredo match serious, after the great unhampered tennis he showed last night against Roddick?

If any player would like to venture into a Djokovic impersonation that should be real easy: Stretch a couple of times with a hurt face… bend over a little supported by your racket…demonstratively breathe heavily on camera a couple of times…touch your hip, ankle or any other body part for that matter and then run and slide from left to right….

And with regard to the interviews. Roddick should have had the balls to stand by his words and the Serb showed his great showman skills and managed to even fake ‘hurt feelings’. At least he is consistent in the faking part!

September 5th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

Fruitcake,
I think what offended Djoko was the fact that Roddick said those to a crowd before his match. I think if there is a serious allegation, then Roddick or Robredo could complain to ATP ( aren’t there doctors in each tournament?) or better, maybe a public report on the treated injury, warnings, investigations …

I don’t think Djoko bad mouthed Roddick. He said it was not right. It was Roddick who implied Djoko was faking. Joke or not!

well, they both said they did not mean what they said and what I like is that they didn’t give the press anything to feed on. So everything is good, but I think we have the story of the decade in tennis.

September 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Henry

***Roddick should have had the balls to stand by his words ***

spot on!

well, again, I think the time outs came as a rule after a player had serious cramps. Maybe now they should put some serious limits on these time outs.

September 5th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

here is an interesting article about injury timeouts:

http://usopen.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/the-strategic-injury-timeout/

September 5th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Zola,

like i said in a previous thread: the next time Djokovic is behind or the match doesn’t go his way and he retires or calls the trainer it’s because of serious amnesia…. it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to remember what he did or said or not said both on and off court. Apart from being a faker he is a proficient lier and fortunately most people start looking though him. Who knows, this – finally – may be the start of a Djokovic that will only concentrate on the great tennis he is capable of. Just a shame that ‘Mr Funny’ already lost too many tennisfans on the way – including this one. However, at least we can then enjoy his tennis.

September 5th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

Henry

check this one too. I guess in the hype about the drama everyone forgot about the tennis!

http://tennisworld.typepad.com/thewrap/2008/09/noles-best-impe.html

September 5th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Henry
***like i said in a previous thread: the next time Djokovic is behind or the match doesn’t go his way and he retires or calls the trainer it’s because of serious amnesia…***

I think ATP shoud seriously put some thought on this injury time out!

I don’t know if I call his tennis “great”. He is certainly consistent and is only going to get better. He had some great shots against Roddick last night. Of course Roddick was not even playing the first two sets.

September 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

“Henry Says:
I don’t think anybody (neither the players nor fans)is bothered by the time taken in between serves by any players on the circuit.”

You are so wrong on the time violations between serves. To say it doesn’t bother anybody, is so waaaaaaaaaaaay off. Sorry, I’m talking about it, and I would like to think I’m a “some body” and part of anybody. It bugs me so much that I can’t bear to watch matches with the time violations. At least 3 minutes is wasted in VERY GAME due to this. Multiply it by a minimum of 6 games per set and we have a minimum 18-20 minutes per set and a whole match minimum 2 sets — it’s about 30-40 or more minutes just wasted. This is a strategy to aggravate the opponent and throw him off his rhythm. Gamesmanship personified. I’m sure there are some (bodys/bodies) in addition to me, who find the time violations exsperating. Blake has complained about Nadal’s time violations to the umpire several times, and so have other players. Now I’ve opened up Blake to some bashing.

“And with regard to the interviews. Roddick should have had the balls to stand by his words and the Serb showed his great showman skills and managed to even fake ‘hurt feelings’. At least he is consistent in the faking part!”

Roddick tried to qualify his statement to the press, who kept stoking the fire, by saying “it’s for you guys to decide”. To me, at that point, Roddick felt enough was said and did not want to belabor the point. I think too much emphasis is placed on his words and Roddick is NOT someone who’s a spineless person. I think he was being cautious when he realized what was happening. This topic is worst than a fungal infection now, and some really thrive on these issues.

September 5th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

Frist of all:it is a big difference to imitate someone in some charming way and spit on somebody’s quality as a player in front of a crowd.That was an insult !!!THIS IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!Andy Rodick just approved that he was scared of young Serbian and had to get the crowd on his side(but it wasn’t helpful to him so much)In opposite Nole Djokovic get additional strenght to prove his quality ,and as a proud Serbian deffended himself.And dont forget that Serbians are the strongest when its hardest for them!!!!!

September 5th, 2008 at 11:02 pm

Henry
“I don’t think anybody (neither the players nor fans)is bothered by the time taken in between serves by any players on the circuit.”

To me this is the main reason I don’t like Nadal the same way I do with Fed, Djoko, Roddick, Murray, Safin…

He is deliberating making the opponent play on his ways, which are off the rules. Imagine if we had real punishment for these, like a clock for everybody to see. He wouldn’t have achieve half of what he did, because he just don’t know how to play faster. I know is part of his concentration, to always play every point as a match point, serve with calm and foccus, and a tactics to recover from long rallies (as his game were build). But to me he just didn’t need to take so many time in what, at least 50 % of an entire matc?!
It just felt wrong and disrespectfull with other players. And some of them thinks that too because several players go for the empire to point that out, Tsonga, Blake, Fed….

September 6th, 2008 at 12:21 am

Well, tomorrow will be very exciting. I don’t remember the last time that this sense of who is going to be in the final happened in a Slam!

Of the four, the more secure finalist is Nadal. Murray will have to make the match of his life to beat him, and if he does, he will be spent in the final.
If Murray wins, Fed or Djoko will be the champion (I don’t think Djoko will loose a third time to Murray, nor Fed). If Nadal wins, 50-50 against Fed or Djoko.

September 6th, 2008 at 12:26 am

What should we do when we’re ignorant of what constitutes tennis on court and cannot analyze a great shot or a serve? The answer is no other than we degenerate into gossip girls and guys and spend all our time on everything that is extraneous to tennis proper, such as who took how many medicals and who said what, etc.

In 2008, Nadal took most medical timeouts than any of the top players.

During his 1st round match at the US Open, Rafa took a medical timeout, “It wasn’t hurting too much. I asked for treatment just as a precaution. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened a few weeks ago” (Source: http://www.rafaelnadal.com/nadal/en/news/2008/05) (Source Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-snC3kivksU ).

Nadal took a medical timeout at the Olympic, too, because he was feeling, in his own words, “dizzy.” Treatment: he ate a banana.

Before that, he also took medical timeout during Wimbledon this year (last year’s final, too), during the match against Youzhny. “I felt a little bit of pain. I was a little bit scared. I felt something crack a little behind [the knee]. But I think it’s fine.”

At Hamburg final, Nadal took injury timeout at 5-2 when Federer was about to take the 1st set. After that, Rafa came back and took the set and changed the direction of the match.

At Indian Wells, Rafa took medical timeout.
Q. What did you take the medical timeout for? What was happening with your foot?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I was I don’t know exactly, no? (Source: http://rafael.nadal.over-blog.com/article-18051153.html)

At Chennai, during the second set against Youzhny, Nadal took a medical timeout. After the match, he said that he was simply tired.

I can cite a couple more instances this year alone.
The solution is to modify the injury timeout rules so that they will be less likely to be abused.

September 6th, 2008 at 1:11 am

Really, I am not impress with the way Federer shown at this open. He had a 5 setters the previous match. Then when he played Gillies. Although, he won it in three. But it is not an easy match for him. So I am expecting Novak to rip Federer’s ass in his next match!

September 6th, 2008 at 1:14 am

Novak gonna plays the ball in play alot. And Federer would be making all these errors on his forehand and backhand. And some double faults will be coming off from Federer’s racquet, when Federer feels the pressures!

September 6th, 2008 at 1:16 am

Nadal has no fear against Federer, man! He knows what he could does to him and will continues to do so. When Federer comes to the net(this is what Michael Stich told Federer how he could beats Nadal at Roland Garros), Nadal would passes and makes Federer like a fool and an old man at the net. When Federer tries to rally with Federer. Nadal would keeps everything in play with heavy top spin and rally Federer into frustrations and wear down his forehand and backhand.

September 6th, 2008 at 1:23 am

T-Man
thanks for all the info.

would you be so kind to provide some links on how many times Roddick has cursed an umpire?

btw,
do you by any chance have a twin sister?

September 6th, 2008 at 1:35 am

Daniel,
I am not sure about the tennis tomorrow. It is awul that the players have to go sit there in the locker room and wait, when they know it is going to rain.

and it is two matches between the top 4. I don’t think there will be straight set wins. If there are long rain delays, I hope they postpone the final.

September 6th, 2008 at 1:41 am

Von,
I quit reading posts coming from unknown and quarantined as irrational folks. As a Djoko supporter, I did defend Roddick yesterday. I read only those posts that come from my friends and from those who I think are rational, at least to a degree.

Here is another one. If Sean had some reflective ability, he’d have integrated a clip from the Kid’s Day goofing between Roddick and Djoko and contributed toward harmony and peace. The problem is he does not know his blindspots or unintentonal consequences of what he says.

Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY69_Epq9YU

September 6th, 2008 at 1:42 am

To prove that tennis has become performance art, I just posted a comment on Zola’s link saying the same, the front page of Yahoo had the following top stories earlier tonight: Djokovic’s on-court words and Federer enjoys expressing himself on court.

I cannot imagine why people do not watch this sport in droves. The tour should be ashamed.

September 6th, 2008 at 2:11 am

‘S”:

“Von,
I quit reading posts coming from unknown and quarantined as irrational folks.”

I’m going to do the same from now on. it’s a hopeless situation and one which is engaged in as a past-time for those who have noting to do, but all day to do it in.

I think, from what I’ve read so far, that this situation has gotten out of hand. Some people, have an insatiable appetite for stirring up sensationalism. One good thing that’s emerged out of it all, and which jane should find to be very positive, is that there are more Djokovic supporters than was previously thought. Not so in Roddick’s case. I made a concerted effort not to get into a bait sitution, but the local wacko is making sure I get baited at every turn. i’m afraid i didn’t heed your sound advice. Shame on me!!

September 6th, 2008 at 3:14 am

How can any logical person equate a player’s umpire rant to a medical time-out. All of the players are guilty of umpire tussles. Medical time-outs are by most, viewed as dishonest, and using gamesmanship. Could we in all conscience say an umpire rant is due to dishonesty or abusing the rules/gamesmanship.

September 6th, 2008 at 3:21 am

T-man:

Good job. you’ve just ventured into the Nadal war zone. Be careful.

September 6th, 2008 at 3:23 am

Since there are STILL people who seem to believe Novak “fakes” injuries, I will post this again, CAPITALIZING the KEY POINTS.

And I will repeat that I believe this is an accurate reflection of his character which so many people misunderstand.

***
Q. “We can be surprised by your way of playing. One day you’re limping, the other you are not limping. So can you understand that?”

Novak Djokovic: “No, I can’t understand that. The thing is you don’t understand that in the middle of the match, you are trying to get yourself the best as possible. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT IF I’M INVITING A DOCTOR TO THE COURT OR PHYSIO THAT I’M DYING, YOU KNOW?

I’m having a problem, with the ankle, okay. I felt the pain in that certain moment, and I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT. That’s all.

I mean, and then the big story comes out of it, and then suddenly I’m a bad guy, you know.”

…

Q. “So you feel like you deserve more respect for the person and player you were?”

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: “Look, I just ‑‑ I just think that this should be reduced. That’s all.

“I mean, I’M NOT ASKING FOR IT, you know ‑‑ you guys do whatever you need to do. You do whatever you feel you need to do. But it’s just that I DON’T WANT TO MAKE EXCUSES, you know. There is a lot of players, you know, they come and they make excuses. I’m not one of them. I don’t need to make excuses, you know, why is my leg injured, why is my back injured. IT’S NOT ME.”

Source: [http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2008-09-04/200809041220503132296.html
***

September 6th, 2008 at 3:53 am

NachoF Says:

“Djokovic addressed the fact that Robredo had also complained very differently, cause he knew that was no joke… so he said something like… “hey, he lost, its no surprise he would say something like that”…. so again, still a terrible attitude.”

Not a terrible attitude but terrible truth that Robredo way bashing Djoko just because he lost, if he won he wouldn’t say a word against DJokovic and everyone knows that. Robredo is poor.

September 6th, 2008 at 6:51 am

I think Andy did the right thing by creating this controversy.I mean djok has this habit of taking injury timeouts every once in a while and he will think twice before doing this again.Atleast now he knows that crowd doubts his intentions when he does that.

September 6th, 2008 at 9:07 am

Regarding Djoko, I don’t know if he is wright or no, but as someone mentioned before, players have different bodyes and ways of dealing with injuries.

I for example, everytime that I play on clay I finish with a feeling of a flu. My noise gets wet and my head feels heavy. That’s because I have breathing problems and the dust worst it. So, I would give him the benefit of doubt.

But I too think that this time out rule should be changed. The players use it more as a precaution or to break the rythim of a match, and it’s not their fault, they have to try to protect them selves the most, but we have no way to say who had “other intentions” for sure.

September 6th, 2008 at 9:25 am

In any case, Djokovic basically apologized for reacting to Roddick’s comments during his post-match interview and Roddick was a bit baffled that Djokovic reacted the way he did, figuring he knew it was a joke. Roddick’s form of humor is often drier and not entirely obvious.

People should recall that, at one point, trainers were not permitted to be on court. This resulted in a first round match about 10 years ago when Petr Korda met with Shuzo Matsuoka.

Matsuoka began to cramp rather badly and was writhing on the court. The audience was aghast that nothing was being done, and the tennis establishment finally felt it was cruel not to have someone come out and deal with the situation.

Prior to that, Henri Leconte and Jimmy Connors had a match where Leconte passed out. Fortunately, he came to and was given a but of food to wake up, and was able to complete the match.

People call injury and bathroom timeouts (if they aren’t injured right away) partly to get their breath back, and partly to disrupt a hot opponent. Is that fair? I think it’s a bit hard to police because the decision of whether someone is faking it now becomes up to the umpire.

Too bad there isn’t exactly a stick that you can use to make the timeouts less likely to occur. The easiest one I can think of is that the player calling timeout immediate forfeits the opponent’s next service game.

So if Djokovic plays Robredo and Djokovic gets a timeout, then if Djokovic is supposed to play next, he plays the game, but Robredo immediately gets his game without playing a point and Djokovic must serve the next game again.

Dunno, just brainstorming.

September 6th, 2008 at 9:36 am

In any language and culture, Djok consistently behaves like a twirp … I noticed it along time ago and he’s had lots of chances to clean up his act. He hasn’t taken any of them. I still think he should pay back the fans who attended the match he pulled out on clay earlier this year. His families behaviour is just icing on the cake. He’s a good tennis play (and thats the sad part) … it means he takes up tv coverage sometimes. I hope for the sake of the game he falls back from the top grouping and we get to watch some good young talent with a bit more class. I guess if you like “villians” and think they have a place in sport … you’ve found one. To those who do … I recommend a better life role model.

September 6th, 2008 at 10:13 am

Maja Says:

“Not a terrible attitude but terrible truth that Robredo way bashing Djoko just because he lost, if he won he wouldn’t say a word against DJokovic and everyone knows that. Robredo is poor.”

The fact that he wouldnt have said anything doesnt mean what he said isnt true…. what everyone knows is that Djokovic calls for medical attention when all he is looking for is a timeout cause he’s too tired to go on.

September 6th, 2008 at 10:40 am

Djoker has all kinds of problems including “injuries” and the time he takes between serves. But you’ve got to hand it to him, on a pure tennis level, he kicked Roddick’s ass. As for gamesmanship, who says Roddick doesn’t do it? Did you see the way he was trying to exhort the croud to support him? Yeah, yeah, I know everyone here is going to say he’s got a right to use everything including the crowd in his own home tournament. It may be electrifying as a spectacle, but it rarely ever produces sublime tennis. Possibly the greatest match of all time had neither Nadal nor Federer resort to any kind of gamesmanship, just pure quality tennis.

September 6th, 2008 at 10:44 am

Zola,

Thanks for all the links and your entertaining thought on not allowing a Djokovic time out because of serious amnesia. Enjoyed that. Couldn’t react before as I was out.

September 6th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

Well Fed seems that he can’t play great an entire match. Break at 5-6 to deliver the set to Djoko, who doesn’t look strong until now, was asking for..

September 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Del Torri

what are you trying to prove with the excerpts in your post of 3:53 am?

We all know it’s Novak that always has or needs some sort of excuse and he was at it again after the Roddick match, stating he had a difficult time mentally. He said the same in Wimbledon. It seems to be perfectly OK for him to whine and to want us to excuse him because he is sooooo tiered or so spent mentally….

I will let you in on a big secret: He IS faking his injuries and when convenient quits. At least Nadal and Federer finish their matches even if that means losing a set with a zero score. There was nothing serious during last year’s Wimbledon semi. I was there ! He was simply tiered and nobody understood how a little toe blemish kept him from withdrawing from a grand slam semifinal. Those that know the secret I just shared with you did: He did not want to lose and faked. It gave him and the media an opportunity to talk about “what would have happened if he had not withdrawn” – even though he was on the losing end.

Please take an unbiased and good look at his on-going history of withdrawals and medical time outs. It started years before he caught the eye of the main stream media. However, like I said, he now realizes people are on to him and we may see a turnaround and from now on only enjoy his tennis.

If not, then – despite his great potential – he will never make it to no.1.

September 6th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

Congrats to Fed, real champion, never give up!!!

Those with tha talk that he should step aside for a while, have to learn somthing. Only way to improve yourself is trying to find a solution and for a tennis player that is on court.

Serving the way Fed is and with his solid backhand and good forehand, I can’t see him losing the title. And as it seems to be Murray (not finish yet but he is playing Nadal the right way), I think he will be too excited for being in an Slam final and Fed experience will prevail.

Djoko mada a lot of UE too, he was not with the same intensity as before, but so did Fed who was erratic sometimes.

September 6th, 2008 at 2:02 pm

Nice to see the twirp lose … now it can leave town (with his family in tow) with his tail between his legs. Looks like Federer (the Predator) is back (almost)!

September 6th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Daniel: you are entitled to crow! I think it’s too early to be confident of Fed’s play, though. For a start, Nadal’s not out; he’s just broken Murray first game 3rd set – and that effectively means the set. With that momentum, well… Nadal often starts a bit cold (not at Wimbie against Murray, admittedly – but this is hard court), but once he gets his teeth into a match, would you bet against him? Fingers crossed for Murray, I’ve always liked him. You know Murray’s the first seed Nadal’s met – pretty unusual that, isn’t it?

Back to the Fed match, I thought Djokovic played almost superhuman tennis for the first few games of the 2nd set. He certainly deserved to win it, even though Fed broke back. Dog fight in the third, but overall, Djokovic oddly passive – I wonder if he was affected by all that unecessary rumpus over last few days. He’ll be back – this is a future #1 without any doubt – just not yet, I’m glad to say!

Federer undoubtedly raised his game, but still there was that passive backhand chipping which he seemed unable to relinquish, no matter how often the Djoker punished him. However, he had the last laugh there, since he did create some lovely angles towards the end.

We also had one or two inspirational Fed type shots of old – an outrageous smash lob, for example. The serve was back with a vengeance when he needed it; and yet it had been rather weak earlier, and Djokovic seemed to deal with it easily. So: all in all: great improvement, but, er, could still do a little bit better…

September 6th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Many djoker fans had a tough time accepting that fed was playing poorly because of mono against the djoker in the australian open.They were like fed was not allowed to play at his best because djoker was outplaying him….wat happened now? wat happened to ur invincible hard court king?

September 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

The hardcourt king is dead…..Long live the king

September 6th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Henry,
you are welcome but I didn’t get this:
***your entertaining thought on not allowing a Djokovic time out because of serious amnesia. ***

surely we can doubt everyone. but I think the discussion was on the exchange between Roddick and Djoko and the crowd.

what i was trying to say was that the curent rules are perhaps a beit flexible. so while you cannot deny a player an injury time out, you cannot make sure it is absolutely neccessary. This also allows people to accuse the players of taking unneccessary time outs.

so perhaps ATP has to put some solid rules and monitoring in place or as that article suggests , have on court trainers and doctors, who can help both players with their conditioning during the match.

September 6th, 2008 at 5:37 pm

Srini Murty
every tournament has the advantage of home crowd for their own players.I actually think many players like it.

it is notmal for the home players to engage with the crowd. but on top of that they need to have the game to do it. Roddick was too flat. The crowd was trying to help him out but Djoko was a much better player.

September 6th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Roddick attacked Djokovic first, so he should have the freedom to respond. That he did it front of an American audience, just after vanquishing their favorite player was a mistake, but not wrong.

Actually, I like these kinds of conflicts – I find them more interesting than the bland type of answers that players and their phony PR manipulators insist that we’ll lap up like lemmings.

I was hoping for another conflict between Murray and del Potro, after their fracas in Rome, but I was less than impressed with that one.

September 6th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

Srini Murty hit the nail on the head. If Roddick is allowed to exhort the crowd to support him, then Djokovic can use all the time outs he wants. They’re both pathetic for doing either one. I doubt you’ll ever see Federer or Nadal resorting to these kinds of historionics, in the mold of Jimmy Connors, the most selfish phony in the history of tennis.

But I do like conflict between players and Djokovic certainly took his frustrations out on Roddick. Good for him. Whether Roddick was joking or not is irrelevant – the point is he was calling Djokovic either a hypochondriac, or a faker, and them’s fightin’ words.

September 6th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

“If Roddick is allowed to exhort the crowd to support him, then Djokovic can use all the time outs he wants.”

I doubt if any rational thinking person could say a player seeking to use a home-court advantage, can be equated on the same level as a medical time-out. This is an Apples and oranges situation. Hardly one which should be condoned, nevertheless. Then I suppose if one player says “yo mama” out loud, then the other will silently think, “I’ll fix you, I’m taking a medical time-out”, which is a very serious situation, BTW. We see bathroom breaks when some are losing, isn’t that enough, and that’s without any frakas taking place.

“I doubt you’ll ever see Federer or Nadal resorting to these kinds of historionics, in the mold of Jimmy Connors, the most selfish phony in the history of tennis.”

NO? I suppose you have on blinders at the matches these two contest. Nadal has the most medical time-outs according to a stat that was posted by a poster last evening. Ii was shocked. I knww he uses time-outs a lot, but didn’t know he was the one who did it the most of all the players. Federer certainly engages in some very unsavoury behavior on court against his lesser opponents.

Not liking both Roddick and Djokovic is OK, but to be so lofty as to mention the No. 1 and No. 2 are above the on-court semantics is a bit too far fetched, don’t you think? Bottom line, they are all different human beings and respond in their own devious ways to win. The focus is on winning and getting it any which way they can. some are more guilty of it than other, but overall it happens and we have to accept it since it’s sports and deal with it!!

September 6th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

So Andy runs his mouth and he’s joking, but when Novak responds he’s trash talking? Interesting…

September 6th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

McEnroe said Novak will be #2 by year’s end. How about that?

September 6th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

That’s right Roddick is a bully and Novak did the right thing. If the roles were reversed, the media and crowd would have pushed Novak to a corner. For those people, it’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong. Novak did the right thing. That’s the attitude we need for tennis!!

September 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

“That’s the attitude we need for tennis!!”

I’m all for attitude and emotions on the court — I don’t like robotic types, and I’m nauseated when the supposedly prim and proper become angry from any type of emotional display by players who are not their favourites. Teir favoured player’s behaviour is deliberately overlooked and sweept under the rug, and their criticsms are most times too trivial to mention. That said, and be that as it may, we should all bear in mind, that even though we like to criticize, our criticisms should be universal, fairminded and that every action causes a reaction, and not fool ourselves. First, to thine own self be true!!!

September 7th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Regarding all that fuss which has been made about that A-Rod’s presser before the match vs Djoker, well, what the hell are you wondering?!

Yes, Andy could have refrained from saying these things as well as Djoker could have done so in that on court interview after the match, BUT let’s not forget, that:

1, It was once again those stupid flashy journalists who provoked Roddick to make such a statement, asking him (in my opinion) a totally unnecessary question (the same actually happened to Fed with that idiotic question about the possible changes in Murray’s game after their match in Dubai – he had no choice but to answer yes or no, so he answered no, but of course, everyone viewed him as a sore loser after that)…

2, Roddick said nothing but the TRUTH! Even the biggest tennis laicus would concur that Djokovic has had literally a history of very suspicious medical timeouts, all kinds of weird & “sudden” health “problems”, of which many were and still are VERY questionable… Heck, even Fed himself said that when he played the Serb in that relegation DC rubber back in 2006! Robredo said the SAME thing after their last match, and now A-Rod… Is that really a coincidence? I don’t think so…

The truth is, Novak has always been one HELLUVA GOOD actor on the court (the same as his compatriot Jelena Jankovic)! Some of those “pseudo-painful” poses which he is capable of doing, or that Sharapova-like walk (yes, the same Sharapova walk, who he so often makes a mock of) – one may wonder whether it is a tennis match or some cheap soap opera… I mean, isn’t this ironical? The guy who has made literally tons of silly player impersonations (many of which indeed offended its “victims”) is now offended when someone dares to speak the TRUTH about him? Well, there you go, Novak! What comes around, goes around…

Anyway, I’ve said it already million times, and I’ll say it again: either REVOKE THE MEDICAL-TIMEOUT RULE FOR GOOD (so the injured/ill player will have no other choice but to continue or withdraw), or ALLOW THE MEDICAL-TIMEOUTS ONLY DURING BREAKS BETWEEN GAMES/SETS (with a duration which would NOT excess the length of the break, of course), or simply PENALIZE ANY PLAYER WHICH WOULD DARE TO ASK FOR IT DURING THE GAME BY TAKING AWAY SOME POINTS OFF HIM/HER… ONLY THEN will such cheaters like Djoker and Nadal stop doing it!

The truth is, almost everyone was asking for this medical-timeout rule, but once they OKed it, almost everyone began to abuse it.. Don’t know if someone of you remember this, but I still vividly recall that match between Hewitt and Alberto Martin at AO 2002, where the Spaniard (leading 2 sets to 1) asked for a medical timeout during the 4th set breaker (!)… Once Hewitt realized he was taking that timeout, he was about to kill the Spaniard, but there was (unfortunately) little he could do to prevent the Spaniard from doing such nastiness…

September 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

Skorocel:

Unfortunately, there will always be medical time-outs, and you know how I feel about those who abuse it, but the injuries some of the players seem to have are huge question marks. There are too many problems that will ensue if an injury time-out is disallowed. I suppose you know the wolf story. Who knows, unless there’s some barometer to measure the extent of a player’s injury, and how badly that injury is affecting him at the time of his trainer call, they can’t be questioned. I think the timeouts have to be given, but the players who are the abusers should analyze their behaviour and try to refrain from so doing, by incorporating ethical standards into their game overall. But then again, even if they choose to be honest, since they are not doctors, how can they determine if their blood pressure/pulse is close to the point of causing a stroke? They themselves wouldn’t know, and being youngmen, most probably would never have experienced symptoms of angina pain and quickened heartbeat in their lives. In those questionable cases, they have to call a doctor.

There are other ramifications that ATP has to take into consideration about timeouts. Suppose a player is told by the ATP doctor that he doesn’t have a serious problem and then drops dead on the court, then ATP will be sued for “wrongful death” by the player’s family. A situation they don’t want to happen. So all things considered, even if it’s gamesmanship on the player’s part, there’s very little that can be done by ATP. I suppose the same goes for an early bathroom break after playing just the first set of a match. This is not a very common situation, but what can we say. The guy feels an urge to relieve himself; it has to be allowed — he can split his bladder if he is forced to wait. Then for sure ATP will have a lawsuit for physical endangerment. LOL. It’s all so funny. :P

BTW, did you see my post to you on one of the other threads yesterday regarding Fed? I’m lazy to search, but it could very well be this same thread. Look for it will ya. Also, I kept my promise and emailed the Olympic blunders jokes to you along with the Kaola bear joke, and then I tried to email a soulcast topic on marriage, etc., and my email was returned due to your mailbox being full. I was greatly offended/miffed, because I wanted you to read it and take the step to the altar, which would mean I’ll be attending a wedding in the futrre in Slovakia. :P I again I sent it today, and I suppose you’ve receied it as it hasn’t been returned yet. Enjoy the final tomorrow and email me your thoughts. :D

September 7th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

If the players don’t want the injury time-outs abused, then they can make a new rule: one time per player every other set. That will stop the abuse and the questions.

My reference to Connors concerned historionics, which I view as much worse than what I presume is the behavior of a hypochondriac. This whooping the crowd up to support you is absurd. This is not Davis Cup, and it’s a cheap tactic, in my view, to try to use the crowd to one’s own favor, when one’s own game and mental strength isn’t up to the task – hence my reference to Connors and Roddick.

Federer and Nadal are beyond reproach when it comes to sporting behavior. Attempts to compare those two with Roddick and Djokovic are ridiculous. Federer’s so called transgressions are imagined because many grew tired of his dominance so they began grasping at straws to explain it – including hollow suggestions of unsporting behavior – but that is laughable. And Nadal is a hypochondriac who, like 90% of players on tour, abuse the injury time-out rule – other than that his reputation is spotless.

I like Djokovic as a player; he’s fun to watch and is a resourceful thinking player. I’m happy that his parents have toned down their embarrassing behavior, so I think it’s time everybody just got off his back.

Soon enough he’ll come realize he has fewer tomorrows than yesterdays and will not be so quick to quit in the middle of matches for a sore throat, or fever, or whatever.

But Roddick is in no position morally to question his fair use of a rule, when he himself is willing to use a broad range of unsavory tactics to either win or distract attention away from his own failings as a player. It’s obvious that, joke or not, he tried to put pressure on Djokovic (pressure in the media, from the fans, etc.) to get him out of his game, and in his own words, it backfired and I’m glad it did.

September 8th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

I like what Sean said about Roddick in the main article on this forum, “…arguably the biggest bully in tennis.” I unequivocably agree with that statement. Andy is so desperate to win another slam event that he is grabbing at straws now in his futile attempt not to be labeled a one-slam wonder. That included statements of the kind he said about Djokovic to denigrate him and to drum up support from the decidedly American crowd. Unfortunately, it did not work. The only thing that will work is a really good game. Unfortunately, he does not have much other than his serve. There are so many younger players who are so good and will surely improve even more that Roddick’s chance for another major is basically kaput now. In that regard, I cannot be angry at Andy for his unfair comment about Novak. I simply pity the sad bully whittled down by those who he tries to intimidate.

September 8th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Is there any other sport that has an injury time out? Tennis should get rid of that crap. If you get injured, tough luck. Go home and heal and play again another time. Without that rule, then nobody can abuse it. A lot of players are taking advantage of it just so they can rest or compose themselves when they are playing poorly. It is unfair to the more fit player. If you are really hurt anyway, the best way is to quit so that you do not aggravate the injury.

September 8th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

To Von:

Damn, that email box! Guess I’ll have to clear it up, else I’ll forever lost track of your letters :)

Yes, that Koala/bear joke was a fitting one :), but I’ve especially enjoyed those Olympic blunders! They were all hilarious, but if I had to pick some, I would probably go for No. 4 (the boxing commentator) and 8 (the soccer commentator on Julian Dicks) :) Hilarious!

Speaking of those commentators, I still can’t forget that unbelievable faux paux which happened to one Slovak tennis commentator prior to Dominik Hrbaty’s match vs Marcelo Rios at RG 1999. The guy said something like: “Hello everybody, this is a big day for Slovak tennis. It’s Roland Garros quarterfinals day, and we’re about to watch Marcelo Rios’s match, who’ll take on our fellow Dominik Hasek (Hasek, btw, is a famous Czech ice-hockey goalie)… I was about to die from laughing when I heard that, but the funny thing is, the guy didn’t even correct himself! No comment :)

P.S. Well, I guess that that wedding in Slovakia won’t be that soon :), but anyway, if you meant that email entitled “Some good guidelines on Romance and finding the right girl” (or something like that), then I got it yesterday :) It was kind of difficult to read it (since it was probably forwarded to lots of people), but anyway, I guess it still won’t be enough to make that marriage in Slovakia happen :) Anyway, enjoy the final and may the best man win!

P.P.S. I’ve just noticed that one post of yours on the other thread (the one which you were speaking about). How come that a non-Fed fan like you could have so much more faith in your guy, and I don’t? :) Well, the answer is simple – I was always a pessimist… ALWAYS! I’ve always thought of the worst possible scenarios – that’s just me… But with Fed, though, it’s even worse… I have to admit, I’ve always had high demands on him – simple as that… You may think that, considering what the guy has achieved in these last 5 or so years, it would be only understandable to have such high expectations for this guy, but still, I guess I’m going too far… Ya know, that is probably why you may view Fed fans as “sore losers”… They may think he’s playing pretty poorly, but in fact, he may actually play a very decent match/tournament (this year’s UO being one such example)… Anyway, let’s see how well can he handle that final first…

September 8th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

Correction:

1st paragraph should be “lose track”
Last paragraph should be “my guy”, not “your” :)

September 8th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

Polo said:

“Is there any other sport that has an injury time out? Tennis should get rid of that crap. If you get injured, tough luck. Go home and heal and play again another time. Without that rule, then nobody can abuse it. A lot of players are taking advantage of it just so they can rest or compose themselves when they are playing poorly. It is unfair to the more fit player. If you are really hurt anyway, the best way is to quit so that you do not aggravate the injury.”

——————–

Amen to that, Polo!

September 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

[…] criticism with the Serb taking heat from just about every corner, loyal fans included. But as I said before I actually liked what I saw that night from Novak who stood up for himself to Roddick at a time and […]

September 15th, 2008 at 1:21 pm