Novak Djokovic: “I Am Confident That I Can Recover and be Ready For US Open”

It was really sad to lose him today like this! what a champion he is! one could clearly see how much pain he was in.

Nole-After seeing you play today, hats off to you! Makes me wonder about Berdych/Tsonga!retired without even trying!
Novak Djokovic Shoulder Injury- A Window Of Opportunity For Nadal/Federer http://bit.ly/mP6Zd3

He will be back! But I just wonder- how much mental boost this injury will give to federer/nadal!

August 21st, 2011 at 8:43 pm

how about a nice article about sharapova winning the title? As these events are not common for us sharapova fans we want to read them on the rare occasions they come!

August 21st, 2011 at 8:55 pm

Is this really about his shoulder or his inability to cope with the heat? Anyone notice his wilted look during Monfils match, coz it was a bit warm at the beginning, then when it got cooler later, Novak raised his level? He was huffing and puffing during his few day time matches in Montreal also with the heat, and even during his night matches at Cincy. I’m sure had he played in more day matches in Cincy it would have been more obvious. Today was really hot. It’s the same heat problem with him, but some will believe what makes them feel good and justifies this retirement. uh uhm.

August 21st, 2011 at 9:18 pm

Tennis Leader Novak Djokovic Quits with Shoulder Pain. Read more: http://bit.ly/oelk9p

August 21st, 2011 at 9:31 pm

Us open predictions

I am not sure of men but unfortunately I think Williams is almost a lock for the ladies

August 21st, 2011 at 10:55 pm

Novak should have wisely skipped the Cincinnati Masters after winning Montreal. That would have put his preparation for US Open in good stead. It is a gigantic task to win both the Masters as well as the major consecutively. Especially in this tournament, Djokovic looked very vulnerable in every match and he was not in his usual self.Atleast he quit early in the finals. Hope he recovers for the big one.

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:17 am

How many times has The Djoker quit in matches. He must hold the record. I reckon he quits because he knows he’ll lose and he does so to deprive his opponent of the full satisfaction of victory. It really is an unsporting act. Would he quit if he was ahead? Of course not; he’ll persevere and play through whatever pain.

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:24 am

2011 USO Champion (M) – Serena Williams

2011 USO Champion (F) – Serena Williams

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:27 am

ding dong, I reckon the second part of your chosen name sums you up.
As for the snide remarks from sour folk about Djokovic’s retirement, were you paying any attention at all? Didn’t you hear the commentators remarks about how slow his serve was? Do you think he CHOSE to serve at about 95 mph?

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:33 am

He’ll win the US Open. no worries.

August 22nd, 2011 at 6:22 am

Colin, it’s clear that Djoko had problems with his shoulder. No one is denying that. Still, it is a joke that Novak played one and half sets of tennis, and after Murray got a double break in the second set, Djoker retired. If the man was capable of playing 13 games, he could have easily played the last 3 as well. Loosing is always tough, but the current world number one should handle it better.

August 22nd, 2011 at 8:15 am

Djokovich said he could probably have played a couple more games, but “to what purpose if he knew he couldn’t win.” I say he’s a poor sport to retire in a final like that. He could have weathered losing 12 more points by Murray to allow his opponent a decent win. The Djoker has always behaved like that – chest-thumping when he wins, retiring when he’s losing. Rafa and Federer would not have done that.

August 22nd, 2011 at 8:26 am

Quitter! Quitter! Quitter! Quitter! Quitter! Quitter! I hope they have to amputate his hand. LOL

August 22nd, 2011 at 8:40 am

So as it seems Mr Larvey, Possum and scoreboard never played any sports even on amateur level… Because if they have, they would know what it feels like to fight with your body, pain and opponent… I can tell you about pain in the shoulder because I’m fighting with one for two weeks… and I thought that it was gone, resumed my training… and… boom it got worse… Now I’m typing on keyboard… like you, but you are not injured :P.
And you obviously don’t watch matches, only scores…
DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS NORMAL TO SERVE 95MPH FIRST SERVICE??? ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE No1 IN MAN TENNIS??? MOST OF SECOND SERVICES ARE FASTER THAN THAT! STAMINA DEPENDS OF HEAT, NOT SPEED OF SERVICE…I’m a big Nole fan, and I was so nervous because when therapist massaged his shoulder you could clearly see that he was suffering badly and I was hopping that he would quit… He shoved me that he can take all the masters titles he wants. He was dropping his service games a lot whole tournament, and serving poorly (by his standards), but how could you know that if you didn’t watch matches? And indication of bad shoulder were all those slow starts of matches until his shoulder warmed up a little bit… I was hopping that Fish would made it to final, because it was clear that Nole can’t take it anymore (pain and less than 18 hours between last three matches) and that Fish will get easy win, he deserved it more than anybody… But Nole going all out and risking serious injury in match of no great importance for him (first on the list, WEEK BEFORE USO!!!) would be plain dumb! And you wishing it is pitiful and unsporting behavior, because it looks like to you that it is only way that you can see your favorite have a chance to win. Hope that your players play better, and have more belief in them (as I did in Nole all this years) not for injuries of others.
As for a guy that said that he retired lot of matches in the past, he is obviously not a tennis fan… it was because of his allergy on gluten, and now you see how he plays when that is taken care of…
Anyway congrats to Murry on win and to Nole for going on court although he knew how it was risky. He did it for true tennis fans (but I wish, he stayed home and had that MRI). I just hope that he will be ready for USO, because I want to see great matches and best players in history playing in one era!

August 22nd, 2011 at 9:11 am

And I hope Nole wins! Because he clearly deserves it most!

August 22nd, 2011 at 9:14 am

Like I said already in my previous post, it was clear to everybody that Djoker had a problem with his shoulder. No question about it. Still, he played four full matches and one and a half set in the final. There is no way that the shoulder pain became unbearable just 3 games before the end of the final. As long as Novak was winning he could take the pain but at the moment of defeat it was just too much. In my opinion that’s not how the world number one should behave.

And for the record, I saw three of Novak’s matches last week and I was cheering for him in the final. I really enjoy watching his game but he should quit doing stunts like this. They are just childish.

August 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 am

Not so confident that Nole will win the USO.

I think this might be Murray’s first slam….

August 22nd, 2011 at 11:18 am

Get welll Nole! Hope your shoulder is good for the USO. Here is the full presser:

WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 21, 2011

Novak Djokovic

CINCINNATI, OHIO

A. MURRAY/N. Djokovic
6-4, 3-0 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. If the rain had come 60 seconds earlier, would it have impacted your decision?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t think anything could change in that short period of time. Just, yeah, it’s unfortunate that I had to finish this way. I apologize to the tournament; I apologize to the people who came here today to watch the match.
I really tried. Didn’t make sense for me to continue.

Q. Is there such a thing as a good loss heading into the Open?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: There is no good loss, that’s for sure. But the good thing is that there is a week, eight days to the start of the US Open. So I think that’s enough time for me to get ready.

Q. Do you expect this to affect you at all going into the US Open?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I believe not.

Q. Was it a lot worse today than it had been?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.

Q. Could you describe what was going on with you physically? Was it just the shoulder or…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, the major issue was shoulder. Generally I was quite exhausted playing many matches, but the exhaustion is not the reason.
The reason is shoulder pain. I just could not serve. I served an average 90 miles per hour the first serve, and I could not play forehands.
You know, I could have maybe played another couple of games, but what for? I cannot beat a player like Murray today with one stroke.

Q. So the pain in the shoulder would more affect the serving and not so much the rallies? You had one 40-shot rally or something.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, you know, as I said, I had the most problem with the shoulder during my serve and forehand. Running forehand mostly, or when I’m on the stretch. When I hit it from the spot it’s okay, but not on the stretch.
So, yeah, I’m not finding any excuses. Of course I’m not saying if I was 100% that I would certainly win because Andy is a great player, but I am sure that we will have a better match.

Q. How long has it been troubling you? Has it got gradually worse day by day?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It has been there for about ten days. Yeah, it was increasing, the pain was increasing, but we were trying to maintain the good condition.
Today was just too much.

Q. Have you had an MRI or anything?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I didn’t have because I didn’t have time. I was playing every day.

Q. Apart from your shoulder, talk about the exhaustion you mentioned before, the general fatigue level.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I mean, it’s kind of expected. I’ve played so many matches this year. I mean, I’ve been winning, you know, a lot and reaching the final stages of each event that I’ve participated on. You know, considering the schedule that is very busy in tennis, it’s kind of normal to expect that at some stage you are exhausted.
But as I said, you know, I am confident that I can recover and be ready for US Open.

Q. Is it too busy, the schedule? Back-to-back Master’s events coming into the US Open, I mean, you’re not the only player that’s got problems at the moment.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, you know, we can discuss about this for the whole day. I mean, we do have some things that we are trying to change in the schedule. There has been certain changes from next year. We’ll have two weeks shorter the year.
But still, the intensity is going to be the same, if not tougher. But, look, it’s the same for everybody. We just have to I guess get used to it and adjust.

Q. Have you had to adjust your life in the regard of being world No. 1? How has that constrained you? Has it added pressure? Added fatigue? Increased pressures on your schedule?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think I have a pretty good team of people around me that are doing their job really well to make me feel, you know, focused and professional and concentrated and relaxed on the court as much as they can.
Because it’s important. There is a lot of requests and demands and of course attention with the new position that I have. But I think I’m doing a quite good job. I’m still doing the same things I have done even before I became No. 1, so it’s going to say stay that way.

Q. Despite today’s loss, it’s still a great day for Serbian tennis with Jelena also in the finals. Talk about how you’ve seen tennis grow in Serbia.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it grows rapidly. The results we had the last couple years are incredible. You always think you know how far it can go, and every year it’s better.
I’m proud of all the tennis players who are coming from our country, and I’m happy to see them doing well. Hopefully we can bring at least one title to Serbia today.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

August 22nd, 2011 at 11:18 am

http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6883915/us-open-novak-djokovic-headlines-suffering-stars

“Overall, 10 of the top 30 have missed an event or had to retire during the past few weeks with injury. The laundry list includes David Ferrer (returning in Cincinnati after a hand problem), Robin Soderling (due to return at the U.S. Open after a wrist injury), Andy Roddick (abdominal), Mardy Fish (heel), Jurgen Melzer (muscle pull), Milos Raonic (hip surgery) and Michael Llodra (rib and arm problems, though apparently not tennis-related). Some are less significant than others — Llodra has won two doubles titles and reached the final of a third in the past three weeks — but there are also others who have played through their problems, such as Rafael Nadal with burns on his fingers (again not tennis-related) and Gilles Simon (neck stiffness). With back-to-back Masters events the past two weeks, fatigue hit several players in Cincinnati as well — mostly obviously Nadal, Gael Monfils and Murray in the semifinals.

With five weeks off between playing required events at Wimbledon and Montreal, it was a little surprising to see three of the big four struggling — only old man Roger Federer was ready to pronounce himself “physically perfect” going into the U.S. Open. In the case of Djokovic, he was the only one of the four to do well at both Montreal and Cincinnati, playing 10 matches in 12 days. For Nadal and Murray, lack of play seemed to be the problem. After a long break, both made quick exits in Montreal and then had to adjust to logging a lot of time on the court in Cincinnati.”

August 22nd, 2011 at 11:44 am

“Djokovich said he could probably have played a couple more games, but “to what purpose if he knew he couldn’t win.” I say he’s a poor sport to retire in a final like that. He could have weathered losing 12 more points by Murray to allow his opponent a decent win. The Djoker has always behaved like that – chest-thumping when he wins, retiring when he’s losing. Rafa and Federer would not have done that.”

I can tell Mr. Djokovic to what purpose it would have been. To let all of the fans that paid lots and lots of money to see the championship match actually see the match. The only reason he retired is because he was down a second break.

Nadal embarrassed Federer in the 2008 French Open final, but Federer had the grace to not quit because he was losing.

August 22nd, 2011 at 12:02 pm

well, i guess novak has now upped the retiring ante…not just limited to semi finals anymore.

crummy way for murray to win the title, but he’ll take it.

lots of player damage heading in to the USO. sad to see everyone so beat up.

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:07 pm

Oh man, I see this site is becoming just like any other tennis message board out there… full of haters. Sad.

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:21 pm

Hey Nina, The really sad thing is the shoulder injury in the midst of such an amazing season. To us, and to many, Nole is a great champ. Perhaps he should have pulled out of Cincy and not worry about his tournament commitments/obligations. But it is too late for hindsight now. Let’s just hope he is well for the USO. :) Not to mention the myriad of other injured players, : /

At the same time, like you mentioned on the other thread, I am truly happy for Murray: hope he continues to play so well.

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:32 pm

Are there any moderators on this forum? Folks, just look at what somebody calling his or her self Queen wrote:
“Quitter, Quitter… I hope they have to amputate his hand LOL”
Do we really have to put up with this kind of adolescent nastiness?

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:39 pm

Rafa always has an excuse when he loses, Fed is always arrogant, Murray is always a whiner, and Novak is always a quitter.

Anything else anyone would like to add?

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:47 pm

Can we love them anyway? ;)

August 22nd, 2011 at 4:24 pm

If nole is fully fit, then he is the absolute favourite to win the USO. Did not see anything in Montreal/ cincy tourny that could beat nole in a best of 5 match in a semi or final at a grand slam. Murray? Pleased for him that he won, but deep down I think he knows he is still has ALOT of work to do in order to win in a semi final or a final against the top 3 in a grand slam. Nadal/ federer? To rule these 2 out of ANY grand slam as contenders would be silly and naive. Expect both of them to make the quater finals and ONLY THEN based on form, fitness and their draw, that we can say whether they shall win the tourny or not.

August 22nd, 2011 at 5:24 pm

rep nina,i agree,we all have our favourites,wheather its roger,rafa nole,andy,jmdp or whoever,we might be a fan of one,but we should also admire and respect the achievements of others however big or small,after all theres enough hatred going on in the world without bringing it into sport.

August 22nd, 2011 at 5:31 pm

Ditto Colin, Skeeze, Nina, & Alison!

Brando, agree: it’s foolish to ever count out Fed or Rafa at a slam. But I have a feeling Murray could surprise us this time. And I have my fingers crossed for Nole’s health/shoulder.

August 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 pm

Maybe he should learn how to tank matches early in tournaments like the other top players :-P

August 22nd, 2011 at 7:31 pm

@Jane:

I also have a feeling that it could be murray’s time- BUT i feel he needs help. He needs to get lucky like federer was in his 1st win against mark philippoussis, rafa with puerta and nole with tsonga. He needs a nice draw, and then face someone other than those 3 in the final- IF he gets there.

I think cincy will boost his confidence, but that serve needs to click- it was still annoyingly only 50(something) % 1st serve in against nole!

I think if he faces rafa, fed or nole in the final he shall lose unfortunately since ultimately when the pressure is on those 3 are STILL the best players out there.

August 22nd, 2011 at 7:37 pm

djokovic pulled out of monte carlo and queens..wise decision and looks what he did after coming back.

instead of waiting until he couldnt play, he shoulda pulled out of cincy. definitely!!!!

Hope it does not cost him.

August 22nd, 2011 at 7:51 pm

if only kvitova can be consistent!! since coming back from her wimbledon win she has been nowhere to be seen.

right now her chances are zero at the USO, unless….

August 22nd, 2011 at 8:59 pm

Murray also went on to the final last time he won Cincy in 2008. SO he definitly needs the boost.

August 22nd, 2011 at 11:03 pm

Brando, Andy has beaten Rafa in a semi at USOpen, so as it’s a lot about about “belief” with Andy at least he knows he can do it.
Someone writing on Bleacher has said if Andy and Rafa are on opposite sides of the draw, one of them will win. If on same side Nole will.
Colin agree absolutely, hate and tennis do not compute in my world.

August 23rd, 2011 at 2:20 am

I still think Serena Williams will win both versions of the USO as well as both doubles and the mixed doubles. I think Martina Navratilova had to deal with a lot of criticism because of her looks, but dammit man, look at the Williams sisters and a lot of other she”males”. Ridiculous. Take away some of their titles and Andre “Crackaine” Agassi’s.

August 23rd, 2011 at 4:37 am

This just proves what a classless act Djokstrap is. Quitting in a final!!! I hope he gets knocked out in the early rounds of the US Open. In fact he does not deserve to be the no. 1 player. Denying Murray a proper win!

August 23rd, 2011 at 4:53 am

dont understand wat d heck is hapening here, why peopl r so critical of both muzza n nole!

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:01 am

.btw m just lovin d idea of muzza winning uso 11! :p may he do so! it would inject new life into tennis for me. :D
my top 4 faves fed, rod, muzza n jmdp hav been goin thro a rough patch since long, thus hopin for one of them to strike a title at uso11. if not these four, then it sud b nole.

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:10 am

People like Michael not only make me a more loyal/passionate Djokovic fan, but also make me relish and enjoy it so much every time he wins a title :)

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:23 am

People like Chris enjoy Djokstrap while u can. Going downhill from now. First we start with a broken shoulder!!!!!

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:29 am

Skeezerweezer Says:
Rafa always has an excuse when he loses, Fed is always arrogant, Murray is always a whiner, and Novak is always a quitter.

Anything else anyone would like to add?

August 22nd, 2011 at 2:47 pm

I think you forgot some important points:

Fed is also a crybaby, Rafa is absolutely OVER and NEVER to come back (every time he loses) Fed should retire, Murray will never win a grandslam, a headcase, a nut, Nole is classless etc etc etc etc

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:34 am

Darling Queen you seriousy need help, please check your self in mental institution before things gets worse.

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:53 am

Speaking of players who should retire when they lose, does anyone think Roddick should retire? I’ve been debating this in my head and I think he should maybe give it another year, see how he does. But at the same time, I don’t know what he could possibly do to make any sort of impact anymore.

August 23rd, 2011 at 9:28 am

More very important points: Mardy losing 30lbs. Maria’s journey, Nole’s and now Andy’s godhelpus diet, Serena’s foot, Gulbis’ rich dad, Gasquet’s indiscretion, THAT match with Isner and Mahut etc
am sure other people can add many more over commentated ad nauseum comments, that just make one want to put one’s head in a bucket to drown the sound……..

August 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 am

rep margot,carolines ruffles,world number 1 ranking with the lack of a grand slam,will roger ever win another grand slam,not to mention annabelle croft and especially virginia wades,fawning and feet kissing appreciation of roger every single time they are commontating on one of his matches,the never ending reminders of the goat discusion,will murray ever win a grand slam,rafa triumphing over adversity,the list goes on.

August 23rd, 2011 at 1:11 pm

@ margot: I do agree with that re Murray and his belief. I also agree with that bleacher article. Since the semi final and final are played over 2 consecutive days if rafa and andy play each other I cannot see the winner beating nole since a rafa- Murray semi most likely would be long, exhausting with alot of baseline rallies. The winner would be completely knackered I feel to go on and then face nole in order to win. I think most nole fans want to face Murray instead of federer, but I think here it would be wiser to wish he gets federer instead of Murray due to the stupid scheduling.

August 23rd, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Brando and I really hope, if Andy has to face Fed, it’s not in the final :(

August 23rd, 2011 at 2:15 pm

I wish Nole gets Murray instead of Fed, i think all nole fans do. Fed is the worst match up for Nole and if he’s inspired he’s trouble. Murray, while potentially dangerous, is not playing his best level as demonstrated in Cincinnati. A hurt and fatigued Nole was outrunning him in rallies.

If Nole can’t win this, of course then i wish Muzza does it. :)

August 23rd, 2011 at 2:35 pm

alison: noooooo u have mentioned the interminable GOAT! I want a bucket NOW……
Nina, yes I thought the first set was very competitive…and Andy won. BTW I believe Nole’s first set serve stats were better than Andy’s.

August 23rd, 2011 at 2:50 pm

rep margot,sorry lol.

August 23rd, 2011 at 2:54 pm

@ Nina: I’m not too sure that federer would be worse for nole than Murray. Murray would be the worse one I feel since he can make rallies long and taxing, his returns would be trouble for nole’s serve, his style is awkward for nole as it is most similar to tonic which nole has said he dislikes the most. The 2 areas where federer would be worse I feel is his serve is better than murray’s and also- probably most important- if the chance is there to beat nole he’ll take it without having a stuttering finish. Either way it makes the draw more balanced I feel since if nole/ rafa get either fed/ Murray I think both are in for a tough time, with no1 having anclear advantage.

August 23rd, 2011 at 2:56 pm

@ margot: I actually feel andy is less intimadated by nole than say rafa or fed. My gut feeling is that he respects rafa/ fed a bit too much hence the respect can turn into a fear of them. Nole, I think he may feel deep down that what nole is doing it should be him and that their is no real difference between the two. Other than the aus final, there is very little between these 2 on a hardcourt.

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:01 pm

Brando- other than Oz, and the entirety of 2011 so far. Objectively, I think you’d be nuts to compare their hard court credentials at this moment in time. But in Murray’s head, you may be right. He remembers the Nole he grew up.

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:29 pm

rep brando,rafa wants fed in noles half,nole wants fed in rafas half,murray wants to be in rafas or is it noles half,and fed wants to be in noles half and not rafas half,is that right,im struggling to keep up.

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:34 pm

@tv: obviously I wouldn’t compare their hard court credentials or their year- what I was referring to was their hard court head to head, murray’s game matching up with nole’s and most importantly how they pretty much came through the ranks together.

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:45 pm

@ Alison : i’d say raga would prefer federer, federer would like nole, nole would like Murray, Murray would prefer nole.

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:49 pm

True margot; Nole got more firsts in but he was getting no pop or speed on them, so Muzza was pulverizing them on the return, almost as he would attack a second serve. Made it extra hard for Nole to hold given the way Andy returns.

Not sure who is a better match for Nole: Fed or Andy. Both can trouble him for different reasons, as Brando points out. Fed is extremely aggressive and has a more consistent weapon in his serve than Murray, but Andy likes to cat-and-mouse with pace and he, like Nole and Rafa, can really hurt his opponents on the return.

Nina, I would like to have an update too, but there may be reasons for the hush-hush.

August 23rd, 2011 at 3:49 pm

rep brando,so rafa would like federer not murray,federer would like nole but not rafa,nole would like murray not federer,and murray would like nole but not rafa,is that right lol,sorry just amusing myself,what about del potro who does and doesnt want him in there half of the draw, just out of interest.

August 23rd, 2011 at 4:17 pm

@alison… i think it’s what WE fans want, lol.

@jane… yes, I’d like an update, i don’t know how worrying the injury is. Should I feel confident or panicking?

August 23rd, 2011 at 5:24 pm

But of course he can recover. Quite likely he was not seriously injured in the first place. Withdrawing from matches that he is losing is modus operandi for the Djoker. It deprives one of his key rivals of the satisfaction of knowing he has beaten him fair and square.

August 23rd, 2011 at 6:05 pm

Nina, that’s exactly what I don’t know.. Without info, it’s difficult to know what to think. Just hoping for the best is all.

August 23rd, 2011 at 6:32 pm

I think rafa has a great chance if he can toughen up himself mentally. And how can he do that- I might have just found the answer on my TwitterLine:
INSIGHT INTO NADAL’S MIND AND HIS BATTLE AGAINST DJOKOVIC:
http://bit.ly/nFnutP

Very Nice article!

August 23rd, 2011 at 6:39 pm

Why hasn’t there been any news of Novak’s shoulder? Coz, I don’t think the shoulder but the heat, as I initially stated. He ran outta gas.

When asked by the press if Novak obtained an MRI, Novak stated he didn’t have time to obtain one as he was busy. but that isn’t really true is it? He had two days to do that prior to his first match on Wednesday in Cincy. I’m also positive that he could have gotten one even before Cincy as he only plays for 2-3 hours per day. So I’m not buying the time excus. I don’t think he has a serious problem at all.

August 23rd, 2011 at 7:25 pm

Novak does not have a problem with heat, he was in better condition than rafa nadal after the Miami final.
How does an elite athlete not have time for an MRI?
He and his team have taken great care in his health over the past year and its not believable that they wouldn’t fit an MRI in- hopefully that means its not serious.
In order for rafa to restore his confidence to the highest level, he should beat novak when his shoulder and everything else is in excellent condition!

August 23rd, 2011 at 7:51 pm

Yes, Rafa has to beat a 100% fully fit Novak to restore his confidence. If Novak is only 99.9999% fit, the excuses will be forthcoming, of that we can be sure.

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:08 pm

Dear Nina and any other Nole fans – here’s an interesting article:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/is-djokovic-on-verge-of-the-greatest-season-in-history-2342612.html

August 23rd, 2011 at 8:30 pm

I miss Von. Anyone know where she is these days?

August 23rd, 2011 at 9:20 pm

great article, jane!

August 23rd, 2011 at 9:21 pm

I have a bone (or two) to pick with Kimberly. First, I don’t make up excuses when I lose. I usually think of them during the off season because I know that when I lose, I need it.

As for variety, it depends on the season. Sometimes, it is the knee, sometimes, it is in the head. The rule is never use the same excuse 2 times in a row. Then you lose credibility. Credibility is the hallmark of an excuse maker.

I know that my fans, millions of them on the “internets”, will go to every forum that discusses about my excuse and defend me till their last breath. Without your help, I couldn’t get away with it.

So, Rafa Nation, keep you head high and defend me at all costs. Take a shot at Roger from time to time to maintain you credibility on these forum. But keep enough time to annihilate the guy whose last name begins with a D. Uncle Toni says if I say his name, he will get into my head. Hence the short forms. Once I start beating him, I will say his name out.

August 23rd, 2011 at 9:37 pm

Humble Rafa,
“First, I don’t make up excuses when I lose. I usually think of them during the off season because I know that when I lose, I need it.”

This is the sentence of the year! Just priceless :):):)

Last year was when someone I don’t remember who said: “it is harder to win MS than Slams”, when Rafa surpassed Agassi.

August 23rd, 2011 at 9:53 pm

I just finishing reading you post, never laugh this much in this forum since 2006. LOL

“Without your help, I couldn’t get away with it.” Man you are on fire.

August 23rd, 2011 at 9:56 pm

Stu
Von is here four or five times in this thread alone.

August 23rd, 2011 at 9:57 pm

@HR, how do you come up with these scenarios? You’re creative in your thinking, for sure. BTW, who is really your fave? You’re always asking for Roger to be put into the trunk, and you don’t seem to care for Murray. Just asking, you know.

August 23rd, 2011 at 10:44 pm

It is because of retirements like these that Djokey will never be a beloved champion like Federer or Nadal….He’s a selfish cry-baby.

August 24th, 2011 at 12:21 am

I do not subscribe to this view of Djokovic being a quitter. On the other hand, I think he is a class act and the only player to challenge the Federer-Nadal hegemony over the Game. Imagine what grit, determination and fighting quality is required to dismantle Nadal five times consecutively in Masters Series as well as Wimbledon finals. Djokovic did that and well he pulverised Nadal at his favourite surface in straight sets. This is an achievement which even the Great Federer could not do in his hey day against Nadal. But for Djokovic, Nadal would have won now something about 24 Masters Series events as well as the Wimbledon. It is Novak who stopped him and has made Nadal to think about his game. Now whenever he plays Djokovic, Nadal is not that confident. To tame a player of the calibre of Nadal is a class act and Djokovic can be categorised into the Great list based on that one achievement.

August 24th, 2011 at 2:13 am

Despite his shoulder problem, I fancy Djokovic as the heavy favourite at the US Open considering that Federer is going downhill at the moment. I do not think there is anybody to challenge him on the hard courts. If all things go well, Djokovic should lift his first US Open trophy.

August 24th, 2011 at 2:14 am

Rafa and nole went to see the mamma mia musical on broadway! I’ll post the article here when. I can (on iPhone). Good to know that these 2 get along more than fine. Apparently cast members- who they meet after the show- were surprised to see these 2 hanging out together. P.S: nole said he shall be fine for the USO and shall start practising soon.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:08 am

never mind humble rafa whatever happens from now till the end of your career,you will always have your 10 grand slams,your career grand slam,your olympic singles gold medal,your 2 davis cup medals,the number 1 ranking which you held twice,and your ms titles,for which you have more than any other player,your also arguably the greatest clay court player to have ever lived,who knows you could even go on to defend a non clay court title,maybe even retain the us open,its a shame nole is doing so well as you would probably be the favourite otherwise,chin up kiddo,i really think you are been a little bit hard on yourself,as you have achieved so much for someone whos only 25,i think maybe you should get some help,see a doctor for someone as talented as you, you seem a little bitter and misunderstood.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:12 am

Thanks Brando. I couldn’t resist, I had to google it. So cool!

http://www.livetennisguide.com/2011/08/24/novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-on-a-casual-outing-at-mamma-mia/

August 24th, 2011 at 11:27 am

@stu: Thats the one! It’s nice to see that despite being 1 and 2 in the rankings they can still hang out together. Good stuff!

August 24th, 2011 at 11:41 am

Rafa and Novak didn’t go together. Rafa tweeted that he had gone and Novak happened to be there as well.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:50 am

rep brando and stu,just goes to show,when you read articles that they dont get on,its all a load of fabricated nonsence,just like rafa and roger,rafa and nole have enormous respect for each other,they leave the rivalry on court,as the true profesionals that they are.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:55 am

I wish I could see the picture of them with the cast of the show more clearly; it looks like a good one! Thanks for posting that Brando & stu.

August 24th, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Michael @2:13 am yesterday – very much enjoyed your post!!

August 24th, 2011 at 12:24 pm

I am not sure Rafa is “tamed” though. :) Rafa is an incredible competitor, and I am sure he will continue to try and improve. He always has, and frankly I think he inspired many players because of this, including Nole and Muzza. Fed raised the bar (through the roof), Rafa raised the bar in other ways, caught up to Fed, and now other players are raising their levels too.

August 24th, 2011 at 12:35 pm

http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketUsOpenATP/tennisxrocks/Pre-Register.aspx

Nice to see Rafa and Djoker at least pretending to like each other.

August 24th, 2011 at 12:48 pm

draw is out tomorrow, lets make this the funnest challenge yet!

August 24th, 2011 at 12:50 pm

Here is another link…

http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2011/08/23/rafa-and-the-djoker-enjoy-the-theeea-tah/

August 24th, 2011 at 1:52 pm

Funny blog. Thanks marrisv. They both look cute with the cast. Rafa’s smile. :)

August 24th, 2011 at 2:29 pm

rafa is on letterman tonight!
@RafaelNadal
Rafael Nadal
Estoy apunto de entrar en el show de letterman! Estoy tranquilo ya que de ingles voy sobrado…la que puedo liar… http://yfrog.com/kiu46pzj
making his us open champions visit at last ;)

August 24th, 2011 at 5:05 pm

That is great, and he is featured at the ATP website as well.

August 24th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

Plus his book is now available at Amazon.

August 24th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

Hello Jane. I am glad to see you are here.

August 24th, 2011 at 5:46 pm

I would like Ben is here. Just read about Rafa and Novak in S. Miles “Open Court”. All of a sudden, I got the impression that their rivalry could be… just a play, a comedy, to, eventually, make more money. Could there be something more?

Impossible is nothing.

August 24th, 2011 at 6:01 pm

Wait what?

August 24th, 2011 at 6:37 pm

Hi mat4, Do you have a link for what you were reading or is it a book?

August 24th, 2011 at 6:50 pm

Just finished reading all your posts. I like this blog more and more.

August 24th, 2011 at 6:52 pm

@Jane… thanks for the article!!

Bigger quality pics of Nole and Rafa here:

http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2011/08/23/rafa-and-the-djoker-enjoy-the-theeea-tah

http://s3.broadway.com/photos/large/6.165065.jpg

August 24th, 2011 at 7:05 pm

@Jane:

Sorry, didn’t refresh the page. It’s the link you gave above, in the Montreal Gazette.

Did you notice the racquets on one of the pictures? It looks staged to me. A bit of publicity.

August 24th, 2011 at 7:08 pm

@Jane:

Then, to answer your question: I am reading a historical grammar of Latin tonight. Definitely not that interesting.

August 24th, 2011 at 7:12 pm

I just realized that one of the reason I liked this blog is because of the names. They are so pretty and picturesque to my foreign ear: kimmi, Jane, Ben, Kimberly, Grendl… even Skeezer. Nomen est omen.

August 24th, 2011 at 7:24 pm

Ah got ya mat4: Stephanie Miles. Yes, the posing factor & prop racquets . At first I thought you meant matches! Enjoy (?) the grammar text. I am re-reading “The Great Gatsby”.

Nina, thanks for the links.

August 24th, 2011 at 7:34 pm

@Jane:

In fact, I am confused. You have two fellows with the same PR, obviously in very friendly relations (just look at this! http://tatteredtourniquet.blogspot.com/2010/11/love-between-nadal-djokovic.html), and suddenly, they are mortal foes… I am not buying the 2011 results thing: Novak lost 16 times, some frustrating duels, but that didn’t affect their relations.

Could they fix matches? I’d rather speak about it with Ben.

Do they fake their hostility? Who knows?

August 24th, 2011 at 7:54 pm

@Jane:

Maybe the only honest way to read is to re-read the same book a dozen of time. I read a Kundera’s novel thirty times at least in the last twenty years, in different languages, and I have each time found something different and new.

In your language, every two or three years I spend an afternoon with Joyce’s Dubliners. I am still not sure that I understand anything, but I like to think I am.

August 24th, 2011 at 8:03 pm

I like Joyce, too, mat4, especially “Dubliners” – nice choice. I do find re-reading brings new things to light. I hope your re-readings of Kundera weren’t too, erm, “unbearable.” ;)

Nole and Rafa no longer have the same PR guy. I cannot see them match fixing, or wouldn’t want to anyhow! But maybe this notion of “coldness” between them was overblown? Hard to say. It must be difficult to *completely* separate what happens on and off court.

In any case, I will leave you to discuss that with Ben.

August 24th, 2011 at 8:15 pm

@Jane:

It is incredible how a different language changes a book: “unbearable” is very bearable in slavic, but “insupportable” in French.

But the Dubliners are much heavier, especially the last story, my favorite. It almost looks like life.

August 24th, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Lol, mat4. I am envious of you multi-lingual-ness. I am literate in only one language. I know a teensy-weensy bit of French, but not enough to read Kundera or what-have-you. I know a little etymology too. Again, I would like to know more. Language is a skin – like some philosopher said. How cool to have many different skins!

August 24th, 2011 at 8:35 pm

*your* multi-lingual-ness.

August 24th, 2011 at 8:36 pm

I always had the impression that my knowledge of languages heavily relied on Google translate. ;-)

August 24th, 2011 at 8:45 pm

Mat4, I don’t know about match fixing. Djokovic, despite being something of a “quitter,” is quite resilient. Was he really “happy for Rafa” when the latter won the US Open? It’s possible he might have been, if it was fixed. And now this year they’re “hostile?” I don’t buy it. Everything is PR. I don’t know what their relationship is like. I assume it’s civil at worst, friendly at best. Djokovic was quite clear when he said it’s tough for them all to be the best of friends when they’re trying to kill each other on the court.

August 24th, 2011 at 10:54 pm

Nole says that he is fully fit in a head tennis racquet conference. He said his shoulder injury was a minor concern and that all he needed was a ‘couple of days rest that’s all’! My intial reaction is that I am pleased for him and the tournament that he is fully fit, but what I find difficult to believe is nole saying that the injury was related to fatigue because he played soo much tennis recently. I don’t feel that is rhe real story here. I believe that maybe there is some issue but him and his team have decided to play the tourny nyhow as it is a slam and also to downplay it considering his rivals, similar to nadal in 2009 with his abdominal issue. Thoughts?

August 24th, 2011 at 11:09 pm

I would say what the probable reason is but it’s a little too cynical for this blog.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:13 pm

@ ben: The reason for my suspicion is that he basically said his shoulder was injured due to fatigue. Fatigue? After 5 weeks off and all of a sudden your shoulder goes due fatigue? His shoulder was injured but not for fatigue I believe. Let’s face it, which shoulder injury recovers after 2 days of rest? He retired against murray since his shoulder was injured- not fatigued.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:18 pm

Well, I think he’s mentally fatigued. As for his shoulder, let’s recall the end of 2009 when he was playing really well and then had some shoulder pain and decided to change (aka eff up) his service motion. I am kinda worried about that, but he doesn’t sound worried at all. So I don’t know. PR wins again.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:21 pm

Well, I think he’s mentally fatigued. As for his shoulder, let’s recall the end of 2009 when he was playing really well and then had some shoulder pain and decided to change (aka eff up) his service motion. I am kinda worried about that, but he doesn’t sound worried at all. So I don’t know. PR wins again.

August 24th, 2011 at 11:21 pm

I don’t doubt that he maybe mentally fatigued- he’s played soo much that it shall happen sooner or later. Him changing his service motion? Come on now even nole knows, if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. I think something is/was wrong wth us shoulder otherwise he would never retire against Murray for fatigue when he is ONLY 3 games away fro the end of the match!

August 24th, 2011 at 11:28 pm

@mat4 re; 7:24 post

Tx and “ditto” :)

August 24th, 2011 at 11:35 pm

jane: Love The G.G. also film with Farrow.
Belong to a book club and were reading one that had two different translations. Half of us loved it, the other half hated it! Much is “lost in translation!”
Did not like that film, btw, but that’s another discussion ;(

August 25th, 2011 at 1:35 am

margot, I haven’t seen that film with Farrow and Redford, but you do know they’re in pre-production on a new one: direction by Baz Luhrmann, with performers to be Leo diCap, Carey Mulligan, among others.

August 25th, 2011 at 3:02 am

Ooh Leo…hubba, hubba….;)
earlier one really worth a watch.

August 25th, 2011 at 5:53 am

Tennis fans got more out of Nole than thay did out of Rafa or Fed
Nole keep everyone happy
NEXT TIME DONT BE SO HONEST

August 25th, 2011 at 3:44 pm