Novak Djokovic Slams Ballkid During Miami Final, Issues Apology Afterward [Video]

To be honest I actually think he was flipping out at his box when he said since why on earth would you start on the ball kid? You wouldn’t. That said: Novak needs to get a grip .mentally. He loses the second set, flips out here. IW: gets visibly shaky, and then there’s his many moment’s in the past we all saw and know. He needs to get a hold mentally when it gets tough and not lose the plot.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:06 am

“He needs to get a hold mentally when it gets tough and not lose the plot.”

He lost a combined 2 games in the final sets of both IW and Miami finals. Not sure how you can say he’s losing the plot.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:08 am

@Ben: for me the point stands. Toughing out a Murray who checked out mentally and a 33 year old on a slow HC to me does not strike out as a arduous task. But that’s my opinion. How one can see shaking visibly or lashing out as above in the video as conducive, helpful is beyond me. Each to their own guess. Personally I think he needs just needs to stay together mentally when such moments occur in these matches. Seemingly a controversial opinion though.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:20 am

Tom, the title is incorrect. He was yelling at becker and the ballboy was caught in the crossfire, for which novak apologized after seeing the replay.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:20 am

sometimes nole venting his anger helps him reset, but i think it wouldnt hurt to rein it in and try to stay clam overall. The occasional outburst is fine, of course, and totally normal. Both he and andy were “venting” yesterday and perhaps the tough conditions only amplified their inner frustrations.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:23 am

LOL they’re only number 2 and 3 in the world. But nothing seems like an arduous task from the couch.

If the barking and hand shaking preceding him losing, it’d be one thing. But after he let out that frustration he regrouped and dominated. Not just yesterday, but in both matches. It certainly doesn’t look helpful but to say that he needs to get a hold mentally is completely ignoring the everything that followed.

Bottom line, nitpicking and pretending to be giving an objective analysis isn’t your strong suit, Brando. You’re horrible at hiding your hatred.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:32 am

Lmao Ben: if you are going to project your suspicions then plead do a better job. One that befits an adult as that effort came across very elementary. And as for the matter on hand: ranking? Who the hell cares about that when it comes to performance on the court? Ranking does not stop Andy from checking out mentally nor does ranking stop Federer from being a 33 year old on a HC. As for the specific’s of these 2 matches, they are of no interest to me. My point was general: it would be better for him to keep a hold of it when it gets tough mentally. That’s it. A point that a fan like Jane can understand yet seemingly is lost on you Ben. Put the Inspector hat on the table, see it for what it is and you’ll experience a voila moment and see it for what it is. It’s not a demanding task Ben, at least I did not think it would be.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:41 am

Djokovic should put his brain into gear before opening his mouth, especially with so many ball boys running around doing their work for the players

April 6th, 2015 at 11:50 am

Why would he “need” to “get a hold mentally” (your words) if he comes back stronger after both incidents? According to the results, these very moments of passion ARE his way of regrouping and resurging. Your point is spectacularly ill-conceived. If you don’t like to see a moment of drama on the court, that’s your opinion, but it has nothing to do with what he NEEDS to do.

Also, roughly 7 BILLION people on this planet couldn’t come close to beating that “33 year old on a hard court”.

April 6th, 2015 at 12:10 pm

A moment of madness,im sure many of us here say and do alot of things we regret later,and he did apologize afterwards….

April 6th, 2015 at 12:14 pm

My point is spectacularly ill conceived? Lol when other fans can understand my reasoning I care not for the perception held by someone who decides to extrapolate it to include how 7 billion people would fare against a 33 year old. Like really?

April 6th, 2015 at 12:24 pm

If screaming and shouting and lashing out at a kid is what it takes for joker to regroup, this is indeed a very sorry state of affairs. He smashes his racquets with calculated aggression, he has smashed a bench and it goes on and on. Has he got a “mental” problem? If he has is he not capable of a more serious offence?

April 6th, 2015 at 12:27 pm

spot on @ 12:10. “spectacularly ill-conceived” is correct!
___

Look these guys are by themselves out there battling. Get ahold of there emotions? They all go through emotions out there. Some show it, others don’t, and maybe they should, maybe they shouldn’t. Should you decide that?
They do what they need to do to stay in the match. Nole, Fed, Rafa, Murray, whomever. It’s a battle and at times your mostly mad at yourself for not playing up to your potential, so you do what you can to get shake yourself into a competitive state. As long as you keep playing within the rules its all good.

April 6th, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Djokovic is not a Swiss Stoic or a guy who if he expressed anger as a teen, Uncle Toni would have punished with 2 days without food or water.
He is unscripted, and while he doesn’t always express his emotions, most times he does. Jane and others may wish he was more phlegmatic, but that is not in his nature. It would be phony.
In his post match interview, he said things Amelie Mauresmo should copy and show to Andy before each match. That it is important to vent and deal with anger & frustration. Get it out. Then reset to calm. Then have an inner conversation about the positive things about yourself and what you hope to do performing from then on. Andy, in particular, is a player that sabotages his genius by getting swept into a downwards spiraling funk of negativity.
That he was sorry he hadn’t, until seeing the video replay, noticed the ball boy as he vented to his box about blowing the 2nd set and having to go out again in brutal conditions. The ball kid had left, so after his win, Djoker cut a video to the kid and his parents regretting he had been caught in the crossfire. To few people’s surprise, because he is regarded as one of the nicest and most considerate players on tour – to staff and volunteers and fans. Had the ball kid still been around, they would have had a face to face meeting.

April 6th, 2015 at 1:15 pm

To say that the ball boy got caught in the crossfire of Novak’s anger is bulloney. He displays this type of attitude too often, or at least often enough, for me to believe that taking his frustrations out on the ball boy was intentional. I do think that he was sorry after all was said and done. Sure he apologized to the ball boy, and said he did not mean to get angry at him, but I am not buying that. He knew what he was doing and who he was lashing out at. Sorry but this is the way I see it. Marylynn

April 6th, 2015 at 2:31 pm

Take of the hate tinted glasses! Djokovic doesn’t even look like he’s aware the ball boy is there. That’s no excuse but to say he yelled at the ball boy specifically doesn’t even make sense.

You can even see it in his discussion with the ump. Djokovic was upset he got a violation because he thought the ump was accusing him of cursing. But the ump even explained that he didn’t like the manner and he scared the bejezus out of the ballboy. Djokovic stopped arguing and thought about it. And then he apologized because he went back and watched the freaking tape! I mean come on. A lesser man would’ve completely ignored the situation.

I don’t get why people think a 27 year old who plays a sport for a living is supposed to be a wise old sage. He’s practically a kid in the grand scheme of things.

Brando, just because one fan took the high road doesn’t mean others won’t call you out on your BS.

April 6th, 2015 at 2:41 pm

To Ben Pronin; I suggest you PUT ON A PAIR of GLASSES because obviously u did not see what was shown in the video. Novak was clearly directing words to the boy. And, I don’t care if he is only 27, he is the world no. 1 tennis player. He needs to stop that kind of behavior.

April 6th, 2015 at 2:47 pm

No he wasn’t. He wasn’t even looking at the kid. And he continued to stare and shout at his box as the kid went away. Wouldn’t he look in the kid’s direction if he was yelling at him?

April 6th, 2015 at 2:54 pm

He was definitely yelling at his box -in the same manner that Andy and other players do – the boy was in the way. It’s indisputable. There was another controversy when he swore in Serbian at somebody in the crowd (the same sentiment as he expressed in the 2013 Madrid match. It must be a popular epithet in Serbian ;). We only know because several Serbs on twitter translated it. He escaped scrutiny because none of the press knows Serbian but they would’ve pounced on every f*ck or frack by Andy.

It’s the way it is. I’m not judging. The lesson here is that ALL players are imperfect, i.e. human. Most end up regretting their behavior from the heat of the moment. It just bugs me that some are excoriated for their behavior while others get a free pass.

April 6th, 2015 at 3:14 pm

thanks the da for a little sanity and clarity. :)

ben, precisely.

April 6th, 2015 at 3:22 pm

But if Murray didn’t curse and yell he wouldn’t be Murray and it wouldn’t be nearly as interesting watching him play. I don’t know why people hate personalities. I wonder what they would’ve done watching tennis in the 70s and 80s when Nastase, McEnroe, and Connors were going nuts.

I’ve also never seen Murray get a violation for cursing.

April 6th, 2015 at 3:23 pm

Ben: You do not want to believe that Djokovic would holler at a ball kid; and that is your own problem. I doubt that he will do it again as he is obviously embarrassed about it. Again, you probably should really watch the video again. He was clearly talking to the ball kid. Marylynn

April 6th, 2015 at 3:24 pm

No he wasn’t.

April 6th, 2015 at 3:27 pm

“marylynn” has appeared out of the ether on a crusade. best leave her alone ben. most of us can see exactly what happened.

if marylynn or anyone else wants to see someone really scare an official he or she should go watch the video of serena at the us open a few years back. now that was some serious intimidation.

April 6th, 2015 at 3:30 pm

To Jane: You reference me as being On a Crusade – LOL. And, you are mistaken,a ball boy is not an “official” he is a ball boy.

(“if marylynn or anyone else wants to see someone really scare an official…”)

I rest my case. Marylynn.

April 6th, 2015 at 3:44 pm

So Jane thinks a ball boy is an “official”? LMAO

April 6th, 2015 at 4:23 pm

” On a Crusade” + “I rest my case”

ha ha, the irony.

April 6th, 2015 at 4:25 pm

I don’t really believe he was shouting at the ball kid. The boy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I do see where Marilyn might be coming from on this incident……it was the way he snatched the towel from him……but I don’t think it was intentional. He apologized and that’s it! I bet in the future Novak will keep his temper in check, anyway when surrounded by ball kids. It was unfortunate that it happened……

April 6th, 2015 at 4:34 pm

If Djokovic is cross-eyed, maybe he really was yelling at the ball boy.

April 6th, 2015 at 5:09 pm

giles, here’s your “queen of tennis.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-2-63IhLtk

April 6th, 2015 at 5:19 pm

wait, where did i say a ball boy or girl is an “official”?

i suggested to marylynn if she wanted to see someone scare an official she should refer to serena threatening a line umpire – the common denominator being the “lashing out” not the capacity of the person who was frightened.

the difference, of course, is that nole was yelling at his box, whereas serena was directly yelling at the line umpire.

April 6th, 2015 at 5:26 pm

Ben, I’ve always wondered why Andy’s never been called out for swearing by an umpire when everyone knows exactly what he’s saying. I’ve seen other players get warnings for swearing in languages other than English, like French and Italian, but officials shouldn’t go along w/ the idea that swearing is part of what makes Andy Andy.

April 6th, 2015 at 5:38 pm

jane, don’t bother, we have few sad souls here, the more Nole is winning the sadder they are. They are not tennis fans, they are just sad souls, I pity them.

April 6th, 2015 at 5:38 pm

Hi, WB. Glad to read you.

It is a pity we can’t hear what Novak said. But anyway, from the clip it is clear that he doesn’t look at the ball kid.

April 6th, 2015 at 6:01 pm

Hi mat4, even blind Freddy could see that Nole was talking, or better shouting, towards his box, I couldn’t see his lips so I don’t know what was he saying, but using explicit words is not unusual i Serbian language, it is like “good day” in english, you know that, don’t you?:) and we are not alone in that, most eastern Europeans do that and Hungarians and Italians and Greeks and Aussies and English and Irish ….

April 6th, 2015 at 6:14 pm

Of course I know ;-) That was the first thing I learned working in ex-YU. Although it is not the same everywhere. But in Serbia, yes, you swear very much. Even my wife does it… so I recognize most of the obscenities easily. I even have books about it (one in Serbian).

April 6th, 2015 at 7:00 pm

I never ever swear in English even living here around 30 years but I do swear in Serbian, particulary when I drive. Since I was driving my kids often they use to come back home and proudly tell their mother new Serbian words they just learned, my wife was horrified since she doesn’t swear (she comes from very religious family), needless to say that my kids use to pick up new (swear) words in no time..smart kids:) but that was putting me in my wife’s bad book on regular bases and still does, as the matter of fact I am hardly out of bed book.

April 6th, 2015 at 7:41 pm

WB:

Do you know that I am not accustomed yet at Novak being no 1? I still think of him as no 3, or 2?

And his officially the ITF champion of the world for the last four years…

April 6th, 2015 at 8:09 pm

He needs to stop that kind of behavior.

—-

Royal butthurt comment.

Love it! A very good sign for Novak. A sure sign he’s starting to get the respect of a few haters and (denial) ‘queens’.

April 6th, 2015 at 8:59 pm

mat4,
That is because and according to script he wasn’t suppose to be where he is now:)
I was always worried about his (our) mind set or mentality if you wish, you can call it Serbian, Balkan or whatever and that means “what to do and where to go when you reach first goal that you set to achieve?” Western people win one GS or gold medal and they keep going for more. My people tend to set the goal, reach it and then don’t know what to do and where to go. Look at the other champions from the east, they become self satisfied after first big success and that is about it. I was worried that is going to happen to Nole too, though his luck of success 2008-210 has nothing to with that nor too much with Todd Martin (he was rather colateral damage), I actually liked his personality, it was private issues that were holding Nole back and too much of burden put on his back, by his father, he was carrying expectations of entire nation on his back. It was too much for the young man even his name is Novak Djokovic, he needed time to digest everything and move forward and he was blessed that he had persons like Vajda standing by his side in good and in bad, same as he was blessed to have Jelena Gencic as a mentor to give him basic directions in life which he follows evere since.

April 6th, 2015 at 9:03 pm

It is “lack” and not “luck” though you need “luck” when you have a “lack” of success..

April 6th, 2015 at 9:15 pm

Wog boy
i believe this will be novaks year. Carpe diem

April 6th, 2015 at 9:50 pm

My dear WB, I know the situation in Eastern Europe very well. I am mostly immune to the official “narrative”, and, having seen the dark side of modern colonialism, I have no illusions left.

I don’t agree with your assessment of Novak’s “bad years”. He had a problem with sponsors — his agents didn’t work well: he changed his racquet, and it was the first shock. He needed a year to find a decent level, but his serve changed, and his FH too. There was a “nadalisation” of his game in that period. Then, Martin was a mistake. Novak needed a whole year to find his level again.

I also think that his encounters with Sampras helped him. Sampras told him to keep things simple. Novak did it, focused on tennis, his team, and put everything else aside.

At the end of 2010, he got a new racquet, and it helped him too, and since then, he got an improved version. He still doesn’t serve the way he served before 2009, but he improves this area every day.

Sorry, WB, I am tired and it becomes difficult to write in English. The point is that being Serbian barred his way to big publicity, to big contracts with Wilson, Nike, Addidas, and forced him to made a few bad decisions.

And yes, I agree, in the script he was, and still is, destined to be the third wheel, the eternal no 3. I have proven that the draws were fixed at his expenses in GS for years (I gave numbers, links to scientific papers about this subject), although, with time, it has changed.

And yes, finally, it is very difficult to switch on and realize that he is no 1, that he dominates for months, and that he has become a great champion.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:14 pm

Look you rubes, unless someone comes up w/the video where Nole screams, “Give me that effing towel now, punk!”, this is a non-issue.

That said, Nole may need to add a bit more ballast to his regimen-heavy lifestyle, perhaps TM or yoga.

As Dennis Miller might say, he can get more tightly wound than the watch on an expectant father’s wrist at times…

So Nole, if you’re reading this…lighten up…or you will surely spontaneously combust by the middle weekend of the FO!

April 6th, 2015 at 10:18 pm

^ tennismonger gets extra bonus points for using “rube”! he he. and b.t.w., nole does loads of yoga already so i guess TM it is.

April 6th, 2015 at 10:25 pm

“Novak Djokovic slams ballkid…”
“Novak Djokovic lashed into a ballkid who was trying to give the World No. 1 towel.”
“Djokovic issued an apology for his outburst toward the ballboy.”
————————————————–
These three statements are factually wrong. If we hear Novak’s apology and the conversation between the umpire and Novak, it is not being contested that Novak vented his frustration by yelling towards his box, not having seen the ball kid.
His actions were wrong and he apologised for getting caught in the emotions of the moment.
If you want to criticise Novak and absolutely insist on discussing this instead of tennis, so be it.
However, deliberately distorting the facts and phrasing them in a misleading manner in order to make Novak look even worse is not professional. What is your excuse? Too many emotions in front of your screen?
That was bad form. You knew what happened and delibverately wrtote it in a misleading manner.
Yet: Novak still won. :-)

April 6th, 2015 at 10:33 pm

mat4,
Thanks for good insight, but most of those decisions were not Nole’s, they were his father’s and uncle’s, he didn’t have much of say in those years, methinks. I respect his father a lot but even Jelena Gencic said that he was very hard man to deal with, what was normal since he was under pressure and in debt because of Nole and was borrowing money from one loan shark to pay back to another (he sold everything including jewelry and moved into rented flat) until Nole started earning the money on tour.

BTW, lucky Nole didn’t read the script:)

April 6th, 2015 at 10:39 pm

What is “rube”?

April 6th, 2015 at 10:40 pm

^^don’t worry, I found it and I like it:)

April 6th, 2015 at 11:05 pm

wog boy, it means someone who is unsophisticated or naive.

April 6th, 2015 at 11:06 pm

jane, yes, it is north American slang:)

April 6th, 2015 at 11:08 pm

@django,

I hope you are right.

April 6th, 2015 at 11:11 pm

rube (ro͞ob)
n. Slang
An unsophisticated country person.

April 6th, 2015 at 11:21 pm

I didn’t read the comments posted above, but the title got my blood boiling. This is how media spins and lies and slants and makes biased stories to belittle a great human being. The last great example was AO final where pure assumption made Nole a villain and someone who uses gamesmanship to distract opponents. Nothing can be further from the truth. It is just NOT Novak’s way.

It was obvious that Novak was yelling at his box and NOT at the boy. I am sure no one would mention this if it was Federer or if Novak happened to be a player from a Western country. Roger tosses empty bottles all around him during a changeover so that kids run around picking up his garbage and no one notices. Novak invites the ball boy to sit with him during RG. Although the towel grabbing didn’t look pretty, one needs to try to put himself/herself in his shoes. You just lost the second set of a huge final, the conditions are brutal, half of your shots are misfiring, you are nervous, you are tight… At least you didn’t hurt anyone like Nalbandian a few years ago. And no, we all don’t react the same so please do not judge and do not say you wouldn’t behave like this. Novak is human and temperamental and he is not ashamed of it.

This kind of reporting (reporting?) is sickening.

April 7th, 2015 at 1:40 am

I have lived in North America all my life and have never heard the term “rube”……I guess being the sophisticated person I am is why! Lol I have heard of country bumpkin before…….

April 7th, 2015 at 1:42 am

Marylynn, why don’t you put a pair or two of glasses because you surely need them?

“Novak needs to stop that kind of behavior”. What kind of behavior, pray tell? Does he do it all the time? Is he the only one yelling at his box? And who are you to tell what he needs to do?! He does not need your approval. Or anyone else’s for that matter.

April 7th, 2015 at 1:45 am

I think the worst part of the incident was how he snatched the towel from the ball kid and then he was angry speaking in Serbian, which I’m sure the kid had no idea what he was even saying. Maybe the kid thought he was yelling Serbia at him. We can’t really see his eyes, but knowing Novak like we do, he wouldn’t do that. In ALL honesty I can see where the ball kid could have been scared, but to clear it all up, ask the ball kid!! But all in all I think Novak is too classy for that kind of behavior and maybe something good and positive will come out of this……Novak will keep his temper in check. They could all use a lesson in on court behavior. They get by with a lot. Our sports world is getting to be x-rated…..and that is sad!! I’m appalled by the dropping of the f-bomb.

April 7th, 2015 at 2:02 am

I think the worst part of the incident was how he snatched the towel from the ball kid and then he was angry speaking in Serbian, which I’m sure the kid had no idea what he was even saying. Maybe the kid thought he was yelling Serbia at him. We can’t really see his eyes, but knowing Novak like we do, he wouldn’t do that. In ALL honesty I can see where the ball kid could have been scared, but to clear it all up, ask the ball kid!! But all in all I think Novak is too classy for that kind of behavior and maybe something good and positive will come out of this……Novak will keep his temper in check. They could all use a lesson in on court behavior. They get by with a lot. Our sports world is getting to be x-rated…..and that is sad!! I’m appalled by the dropping of the f-bomb.

April 7th, 2015 at 2:02 am

Okie,
I agree that the towel snatching was not nice. Novak was not cursing in Serbian. It was tantrum throwing. To me, the boy looked more surprised than scared but Nole’s outburst definitely wasn’t addressed to him. For someone who says “towel please” or “balls please” and more often than not visits ball kids after the tournament, it is so out of character to yell at anyone younger/smaller/weaker. He was venting his frustrations and they were directed at his box (although he had no one to blame for his erratic game but himself). I can’t even believe some are making a story out of this.

April 7th, 2015 at 3:06 am

The ball boy’s parents can quite easily initiate a law suit against joker claiming the kid was traumatised. Just a thought.

April 7th, 2015 at 4:26 am

Marylynn Says:
To Ben Pronin; I suggest you PUT ON A PAIR of GLASSES because obviously u did not see what was shown in the video. Novak was clearly directing words to the boy. And, I don’t care if he is only 27, he is the world no. 1 tennis player. He needs to stop that kind of behavior.

April 6th, 2015 at 2:47 pm

It’s so crystal clear that Novak was directing/venting his frustration (and this is exactly what it was), to his box, his team – anyone that follows Novak knows that. Anyone knows that he is the most gracious loser, gracious winner, gracious champion out there.

And to then send out an apology through the video posted, just goes to show how much this incident affected him, not only as a professional athlete (where he accepted he should have been able to control his frustration), but now, as a parent.

Honestly, to think that anyone would direct anything specifically at a ball boy/ball girl intentionally, really is outrageous.

The worst I can think of was Serena and THAT incident years ago, for which she will never live that down.

Novak is a gentleman and it would not surprise me if he spoke to the ball boy’s parents, gave him free tickets, air fare to his next match, whatever, such is the nature of his apology.

There really isn’t a story to write.

I don’t think there is one player out there who hasn’t done something which they regret.

Nor human, off a tennis court.

April 7th, 2015 at 5:18 am

Ben,

You are the voice of reason here.

April 7th, 2015 at 5:20 am

There is never an excuse for bad manners. Some are worse than others.

April 7th, 2015 at 6:38 am

Oh for goodness sake, what would be the point of yelling at a ball kid anyway?
Serena’s outburst was much more understandable, tho. not excusable.

April 7th, 2015 at 6:58 am

Well, anyway, I think there is only one in the whole world who thinks that Djokovic was yelling at the ball boy. I think the ball boy himself knows that Novak was yelling at his box and he just happened to stand along that line. He was startled that’s all. From what I observe with Djokovic, he will not yell in that manner to his box ever again. He knows if his action affects others negatively and curtails them. He stopped his public impersonations of others when he realized some of his subjects don’t take them well.

April 7th, 2015 at 7:16 am

Markus, yes.

Margot Says:
Oh for goodness sake, what would be the point of yelling at a ball kid anyway?
Serena’s outburst was much more understandable, tho. not excusable.

April 7th, 2015 at 6:58 am

Margot, of course! Exactly! As I said earlier, I don’t think there could be anything worse than a death threat issued to a ball girl/boy/umpire, even if she didn’t mean it. Of course it was pure frustration, and of course, in this case, Novak was staring at his box/team, shouting at them; he said in his video (if you have seen it), that “Andy pressed all the right buttons”.

Oh For Goodness sake indeed!

Onwards to the clay court season now. How quickly this season has taken off already – the time is just flying. Already a quarter of the way through the year.

April 7th, 2015 at 8:05 am

These four guys at the top are such a great ambassadors of the sport, it’s a pity such incident should have happened.

Novak is too good a guy to show his outburst on a ball kid.

April 7th, 2015 at 8:26 am

Media treats Novak poorly and haters use the opportunity to jump in. This site is no exception.
The more I learn about Novak the more I like the guy.

April 7th, 2015 at 8:49 am

I actually watched Silence Of The Lambs and Anthony Hopkins called Jodie Foster a Rube in that film,i always did wonder what on earth is a Rube?….

April 7th, 2015 at 9:09 am

Blogger must have studied journalism with the Rolling Stone author of the fraternity rape. Novak did not yell at the ball kid. He was over heated and playing poorly.

He had just let Andy back into the match and probably was more angry at himself than anything – when he started screaming at his box. The poor kid was collateral damage, not at all to focus of the anger.

That Novak made such a thorough explanation and apology just shows what a stand up guy he is. Connors or McEnroe would never have done such a thing… in those days you didn’t apologize for anything.

April 7th, 2015 at 10:17 am

Wog boy
Carpe Annum

April 7th, 2015 at 1:06 pm

Yes, the main thing is that he apologized. He understood the (very bad) perception.

Also, I meant “rube” in the nicest possible way; you are all the best tennis-discusses ever! ;-)

April 7th, 2015 at 1:35 pm

Rube per se is a derogatory term. But it can vary in the way that the word is used. In the contest that tennismonger used it, it was quite endearing.

April 7th, 2015 at 1:44 pm

context…

April 7th, 2015 at 1:45 pm

tennis-discussers… ;-)

April 7th, 2015 at 7:18 pm

Tipsy just won his first match in Huston after 17 months out of tennis due to an injury, I bet he is over the moon now, this probably feels like new begging for him even he is 30 years old. He wants to finish his career on his terms, playing the tennis and not going into retirement without a fight and Serbia needs him for DC this year. Tipsy admitted recently that the toughest day in his life was not beeing able to play and help Nole in DC final two years ago (Troicki was banned) and watching Nole winning all his matches but yet Serbia lost to Czech Republic.

April 7th, 2015 at 8:07 pm

With FEDAL they sometime explode and let go anger out in a way not suited for their statue. But Fed hasnt had a erruption in the last few years.

I remember him losing it in
Miami or IWels(08) against Djoker, US Open(09) del Potro, Shanghai against Nadal, Garros against Djoker(2012)… and of course the be quit phrase against mom and dad Djokovic.

Nadal is somewhat similar.
O2 arena he lost it against Fed, Wimbly he lost it against Rosol. I have seen him many time furious aganst umpires. Never once he has abbused his racket. if there is proof I’d like to see it.

You remember this fits because they are so rare and the are a bench mark for behaviour on and off the court.

This is not the case with Djokovic. It all has to do with upbringing and setting rules and regulation for your kid(s).
Mom an dad Djokovic are selfcentred and not on same level as the parents of FEDAL.
Not intelectually nor emotionally.

Djokovis is trying hard to fit the profile of Fedal but he doesnot fit the shoes they have.

April 8th, 2015 at 9:15 am

I’m trying to remember the last time so much crap has been written about something so petty.

I have news for you – Nole, like Rafa and Fed – are human and occasionally they make mistakes. This was one – an incredibly minor one. To compare it to Serena’s “How about I ram this racquet down your f***ing throat” comment as she imploded and was disqualified in her US Open match is ridiculous.

None of these guys live in Valhalla. They are just like you and I, with the main exception being they can play tennis better than anyone else on the planet. Don’t expect them to have Gandhi-like personalities as well.

And “rube” is one of the best words ever. It is so much more concise than; country bumpkin, hayseed, banjo-picker, one-who-calls-his-daddy-“Uncle”, etc.

April 8th, 2015 at 1:31 pm

Exactly Gordon Could this thread get any more stupid?but what do you mean by one who calls his daddy Uncle?….

April 8th, 2015 at 2:11 pm

You can’t really compare Djokovic’s outbursts to those of other players.

The difference is – Djokovic swears AT people (at Becker for being stony-faced or not applauding him enough, at his individual fans for cheering him too loud or at the wrong moment, at the crowd for cheering his opponent or his errors). He insults people directly into their faces. With swear words.

When Federer’s fan cheered at the wrong moment, he yelled at his own fan: “Shut up!” When a Djokovic’s fan cheered at the wrong moment, he yelled at his own fan: “Suck my d**k, you ape!” See the difference?

And Djokovic does not do that occassionally, but quite often. Actually, he mutters swear words directed at the crowd practically at every match, unhappy whenever they prefer his opponent.

April 8th, 2015 at 2:35 pm

Sienna, Peter:

A few things here to clear up: how do you know what Novak said to Becker? WB couldn’t see (nor hear it), neither could I, although I know quite well how Serbs swears. And it would have been something really new, since he never sworn at Vajda…

Then, obviously, cultural differences is something you forget in your discussion. Serbs do often swear, but it is directed toward themselves most of the time. That’s what Novak usually does, with one exception that I remember, in Madrid, a few years ago, and while the behaviour of the spectators was ugly as only it can be — I am not sure if it tells anything about that public “emotionally and intelectually” — Novak’s words were unacceptable. I guess that after forcing the Serbian national team to play under irregular conditions in DC (instead of requiring the simple elimination of Spain, which was due), after accepting to play with Rafa an exo for Spanish charity, Novak felt betrayed by a public cheering when he made UEs.

So, please stop with that cultural arrogance. The usual narrative of the superiority of “western” civilization is something that only citizens of the West believe. We, in France, believe that we have the greatest literature in Europe, ergo in the world, but, unfortunately, Russian literature is far more important, and South-American too, and we have not Carlos Fuentes, no Ernesto Sabato today, and we didn’t have nobody of the calibre of Tolstoï or Dostoïevski.

Serbs were a brave, generous and educated people before we plundered their country, killed their children, and destroyed their future. So they swear.

April 8th, 2015 at 3:20 pm

“…how do you know what Novak said to Becker?”

I have ears & eyes and I’m a Serb.

That “Suck my d***k, you ape” was not said to Becker, but to his fan in the crowd earlier in set 2, after Djokovic botched an overhead and one of his fans cheered too early during the point, thinking he will surely make it.

He scared that ballboy yanking the towel from him & yelling at Becker “What the f**k are you looking at?” after losing set 2.

And you’re simply wrong about Djokovic never having sworn at Vajda. He did, many times, adding the request for more support/applause, even reminding them who’s paying – similar to the above example directed at Becker, and worse. Trust me on this. (Remember that skit Tipsarevic did at one of the MC players’ parties years ago, impersonating Djokovic as a bully with his team? Tipsa was able to do that because it’s the truth – Djokovic constantly swears at his team during matches, at Vajda as well, at each one of them individually and at them as a group.)

All the rest that you said about cultural & historical differences is valid, but it’s irrelevant here.

April 8th, 2015 at 3:57 pm

Let me repeat for the umpteenth time, joker is the worst world #1 ever. A thorough disgrace!

April 8th, 2015 at 4:05 pm

@Peter:

“I have ears & eyes and I’m a Serb.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSAzuYKeZj4

You do have very good ears & eyes, because it was inaudible, nor you could see what he was saying.

I watch Djokovic from 2007. I never noticed anything of what you describe. I also made searches on youtube, in different languages. I found a bit of everything, Novak arguing with a spectator, swearing to himself, even Janko Tipsarevic cursing. But nothing of what you describe.

Find me a clip where he says anything of what you wrote. Meanwhile, I don’t believe you, because it doesn’t fit with Novak personality, nor his usual behaviour. There are many testimonies about his kindness (Kimberly here the other day), and Novak threatening a coach who can leave whenever he wants (Becker doesn’t need this, while Vajda can find another player) doesn’t make sense.

So, I’ll repeat: 1. I don’t believe you. 2. Neither do I believe that you are Serbian.

@WB, Courbon:

Can you confirm anything of this?

April 8th, 2015 at 5:28 pm

Marcelo Rios became number one and never one a major. Just with that, Djokovic couldn’t possibly be the worst world # 1. Try again.

April 8th, 2015 at 5:40 pm

won = one.

April 8th, 2015 at 5:41 pm

I continued the search: Novak denies that he was swearing in that moment. He said that he was yelling at his box.

But I finally found the testimony of a spectator who was present in the final. He says that Novak was angry at a group of spectators in the first rank who were provoking him and yelling when he was serving.

April 8th, 2015 at 6:09 pm

Finally:

How often are players provoked by parts of the public? Novak’s discussion with a fan was enlightening about this point. We had somebody yelling and provoking a player every time he was preparing to serve. And yet, that’s something you can’t hear on TV.

April 8th, 2015 at 6:14 pm

“So, I’ll repeat: 1. I don’t believe you. 2. Neither do I believe that you are Serbian.”

You already answered the question yourself. That person is Serbian as much as Sitting Bull is Serbian, can’t you se he hates Nole. Ifthat is what Nole said it would be all over internet within a minutes as it was in Madrid when Nole said to those Madrid pheasants LMD, couldn’t have said it to a nicer crowd.
Did Peter the “Serbian” provided the link, no he didn’t!

April 8th, 2015 at 6:56 pm

^^ for mat4

April 8th, 2015 at 6:57 pm

@WB:

Thanks, WB.

April 8th, 2015 at 7:01 pm

mat4, you know we swear, but usually it is aimed at us when the things are not going the way we want. I do that often to myself if I am working in the backyard or in the garage, I am telling myself the things that wouldn’t even dare to say public nevertheles to other person. Nole often tells the things to himself after bad shot like he is talking to third person, basicaly insulting himself so does Jelena Jsnkovi, Troicki and Tipsy, the only person I have never heard swearing is Ana Ivanovic and I strated to doubt if she is really Serbian;)

April 8th, 2015 at 7:18 pm

@Peter 3:57

Are you serious that Novak said that to fan in the crowd? How do people know these things? Obviously, someone near by speaks Serbian. I’m really shocked a player of Novak’s stature would do this. Is this for sure or just petty gossip??

April 8th, 2015 at 7:43 pm

Oops, I was catching up on comments and read Peter’s and scrolled down to make my comment. Now I’m reading everyone else’s and read mat4’s comment wanting Peter’s comment to be researched further. That’s what I was alluding to myself, more proof!!

April 8th, 2015 at 7:54 pm

@WB:

No way she’s not Serbian ;-)

BTW, you meant LCD, not LMD, or perhaps SMD?

April 8th, 2015 at 7:55 pm

@Okiegal:

I gave an interesting stat about Rafa in the other thread. So, you see, I even like him ;-)

April 8th, 2015 at 7:57 pm

@Okiegal:

Another thing, also cultural. The people that has the most imaginative and nasty curses are the famed Hungarian. Serbs are very good at it, especially when you know their tragic and bloody history. Frenchies became very good at it in the last 30 years or so… unfortunately.

But when translating — and I know it well because that’s what I did for living — you don’t translate literally. A very heavy offence in a language (or a country) is something quite usual in another. You have to find a sociolinguistic equivalent.

It is not only a question of curses. It also concerns body language, any semiotic system. I remember, when I went to work in Belarus, I used to smile to women passing by. It is quite normal in France, quite confusing in Minsk. When I go to the south of France, people are standing much closer to you, and often use to touch you before they start speaking. It confuses me very often, and I feel uneasy.

In Haute-Savoie, we never kiss with a person we don’t know, we meet the first time. In Brittany, it is completely normal. The first time I went there, it was very funny… just imagine me walking backward and trying to understand what’s happening.

April 8th, 2015 at 8:18 pm

One time a fan of Rafa’s screamed out when he was about to serve…..She said: “Rafa, will you marry me”?…….He smiled…….

April 8th, 2015 at 8:21 pm

@Okiegal:

I remember that scene. There were rumours that Cisca beat the hell out of him after the match.

April 8th, 2015 at 8:36 pm

@mat4…….I haven’t gotten around to that thread yet, but I will before night draws nigh…..

April 8th, 2015 at 8:41 pm

@mat4…….I wonder what she did to him after the video with Shakira?? Lol

April 8th, 2015 at 8:43 pm

@mat4 8:18

I’m the friendliest person ever! I speak to about every person I have eye contact with. This is not a good thing, I learned. I was watching a documentary on TV in which rapists, murderers, kidnappers were being interviewed (in prison) about how they selected their victims. Some said the mall was a place they liked to “hunt” and women who made eye contact could be the next victim. When I go shopping at the mall, I’m never friendly and don’t make eye contact!

April 8th, 2015 at 8:56 pm

@Okiegal:

Do you understand now why he went touring to South America and returned to Manacor only after six months.

April 8th, 2015 at 8:57 pm

@mat4 8:57……LOL! Yes, I get it! He didn’t have any control over the marriage proposal, but that hot video was all on him…..but who could blame him. I think she had a major crush on him. She managed to show up at a few of his matches….how many, I don’t know. His girlfriend seems to be very passive from what I can gather on you tube stuff. If they are together when his fans, male or female approach him, she steps aside. According to the media, she chooses to stay out of the limelight……preferring the moonlight! Media didn’t say anything about the moonlight, that was my own conjecture! Lol

April 8th, 2015 at 10:12 pm

“But when translating — and I know it well because that’s what I did for living — you don’t translate literally.”

We’re fellow translators! (BTW – I could tell, by your syntax.) That’s so neat. That’s the only reason I’ll bother to try and answer.

Yes, I’m a Serb. And yes, Djokovic did say all those things I quoted. And way more. You can believe me or not, but that’s the truth. And some of it WAS all over Twitter, not only with this outburst, but in each of the previous instances.

For example, that “Suck my d**k, you ape” situation was translated, explained & tweeted in real time during the match by another Serb, one of Djokovic avid fans (@zoricdragan), who was immediately attacked by his fellow fans and agreed to remove it:
—————-
Dragan Zorić @zoricdragan Apr 5
[How very helpful of you Dragan. Because he didn’t have enough haters? Idle thumbs hey….]
[Swearing. A busy body translated what he yelled at his box and it all exploded.]
[We don’t need to know a common word in Serbian language Dragan what’s ur point in translating something that sounds sick?]
[This is out right disrespectful and negative information agnst Novak especially for haters!!! You should know better!]
Whoa, relax guys. It’s basically a common swear Serbs say whenever they are mad. Still, not something we’re proud of. #LastTweet
Okay, deleted. Too much hate over here. Peace in the world. Go Novak.
Ma mani me, sad će me gađati jajima na ulici, ispade da ga ne volim :) *
Weird thing is – Novak’s fans are always asking me to translate his stuff, even these kind of words.
Ma stvarno je to rekao, ali u nervozi naravno. Jedno je reći namerno, drugo u afektu.**
Oh well from some negative comments my tweet caused. I translated one of Novak’s swears and it went crazy.
Oh no worries, what Novak said wasn’t racist in any way. But damn, that tweet cost me some nerves.
————
* Bah, give me a break, now they’re even going to pelt me with eggs in the street, turns out as if I don’t love him. :)
** Bah, he really did say that, but of course in the moment of nerves. One thing is saying it deliberately, the other in the heat of passion.
———————–

As the above & your case prove, Djokovic’s fans are unable to face that facet of his.

Our tennis TV commentators, especially one with Sport Klub who’s also Djokovic’s childhood friend, also have a very hard time whenever Djokovic curses on camera, especially when it’s very loud and in a close-up. Poor guys, they always try to find an excuse (“That fan had really made him mad” or “No wonder Nole is angry at his box, there’s no energy from them, Becker just sits there, he never applauds”) or they say something funny (“Kids, please cover you ears”). But, they never denie it happened – we all have ears, you know.

April 8th, 2015 at 10:32 pm

^^Give us a link, prove it gnjido.

April 8th, 2015 at 10:59 pm

^^ forgot to say…good job “komšija”.

April 8th, 2015 at 11:03 pm

Did someone say hate is too strong a word?

Not in these cases (sienna & Pete), ‘fraid not.

Novak’s success must be really hard on you.

Pity. Really sad.

Novak needs to issue another apology to these hurting souls…

For ending the duopoly. 😂

April 8th, 2015 at 11:21 pm

@mat4 and OK
I was in a cafe, not a restaurant, with a friend in Santa Monica.
There were long queues and 4 empty chairs at our table. But the waitress did not ask us if we’d mind if other people joined us. This would be common practise in the UK.
I commented to my friend and she said Brits were able to keep “body space” around them, whatever the situation, whereas Americans would find the presence of strangers so close, uncomfortable.
I was fascinated by this, it seemed so counter intuitive.

April 9th, 2015 at 1:57 am

@Margot

That’s true, it isn’t a common practice here in the states…..and your friend is right, we Americans find it very uncomfortable. My hubby and I have been asked by the waiter if we minded if someone else joined us. Of course we said fine, but I was miserable the whole time……but having that happen would be very rare……I would wait an hour for a table before I would “crash” another party!

April 9th, 2015 at 2:23 am

@OK
That’s so interesting! I found your discussion with mat on cultural differences fascinating.
Yet I’ve found Americans have a verbal intimacy with strangers, which I don’t like. You know the, “have a nice day” stuff. And the eagerness with which, when I was In the US, they wanted to engage me in conversation. Lol perhaps it was the English accent that drew them! Altho they do say, “Two nations separated by a common language.”
Even tho my French is embarrassing, I feel very at home in France, in spite of all the kissing, which I can’t stand from people I don’t really know!

April 9th, 2015 at 2:35 am

@Margot…..This is so true about engaging in conversation with a stranger. I will raise my hand and say guilty as charged. This is me dead out. I don’t why I’m like that, but I will know their life history in 30 minutes…..And what’s really odd about this “problem” I have…..people will tell me their life history. Go figure…..Lol Now, I don’t want to eat with them! You are right about the English accent. I had a neighbor that met her husband in England when he was in the service. I loved to talk to her…..Yes it’s the accent! She was a delightful person and a wonderful cook. I like to hug, but no kissing.

April 9th, 2015 at 2:56 am

Peter,if truly a Serb, is in that minority of hateful, jealous people who can’t forgive Novak for living in MC and “avoiding” paying taxes. It’s really just pitiful.

Peter, do you recognize the difference between the English “shut up!” and Serbian “umukni!” (for non-Serbian speakers, the word in Serbian is a translation of “shut up”)? Please, tell me if they bear the same insult even if the meaning is the same? Thank you.

April 9th, 2015 at 3:00 am

I read a shameful British article today that shows how propaganda works. It was claiming as absolute truth that Novak yelled at the boy. It was nasty and racist beyond comparison. Of course, there were those among the commenters who didn’t bother to see the match or the video but took for granted what was written. You can imagine the name calling and insults that were addressed to Novak.

The whole thing is so blown out of proportion just like in Australia. Novak made an effort and apologized and now he is ridiculed and bashed for that? Maybe it would have been better if he didn’t say anything. No such outrage was directed toward Nalbandian when he hurt the line judge. Some people will always look for something or other just to put Novak down and belittle his accomplishments. I guess what really bothers me are the double standards and forgetting all the good that Novak does.

April 9th, 2015 at 3:03 am

danica, Peter isn’t Serb and he proved nothing, match has been televised, ignore the troll.
As for the minority that don’t like Nole, it is jealousy, some of our people can’t forgive you success.

April 9th, 2015 at 3:07 am

Sienna,

FYI, Novak reacts the way he reacts because:
A) That’s his temperament and thank God we are not all made out the same mold;
B) For years, he was given worse treatment than his status should grant. And when you see him rip his shirt off, that’s showing all those officials that in spite of all the bad scheduling and bad calls (Novak was #1 in successful challenges when the system was introduced), he can still prevail by sheer will, determination and warrior spirit.
C) Even now, when he is a dominant force on the tour for what, the fifth year, he is never written about as a winner in a match. It’s always about why his opponents played the way they played, why they got tired… It just hurts some people that Novak is so successful and good that instead of praising his triple double as a great feat, they somehow think that others won’t notice it if they write about an imaginary incident.

What you said about upbringing is so ignorant and mean that it really does not deserve an answer. What would be the point of bringing up Mozart and Pushkin now when you wouldn’t know what I’m talking about? Roger needed anger management in his early days, Dimitrov smashed his crystal runner up trophy in anger after yelling at the chair umpire few years ago, Ivanisevic couldn’t stop swearing on and off the court, Andy’s upbringing is surely superior too, as well as that of his soon to be wife. But you know what? Some of us recognize that in tight and nerve wrecking situations, on a surface that was 110F, athletes can show their human side. That’s why I don’t care when Andy drops his F bombs or Spanish players their P bombs… I enjoy watching Fognini’s outbursts as well as Gulbis’ press conferences. I didn’t mind seeing Safin showing his underwear on the court. Besides, anything Nole “did” pales in comparison to Ferrer’s pushing of a line judge or Serena’s (bodily harm) threats.

April 9th, 2015 at 3:30 am

Wog Boy,
I watched on Tennis Channel the rerun of the finals yesterday. And I waited for that moment after the second set. They didn’t even show it! The camera was following Andy to his chair and then panned to Novak who was going towards his still talking to his box.

April 9th, 2015 at 3:36 am

I would want to think Novak said shut up, that’s been said before. I was shocked by the suck my ### comment if he in fact even said it. That is why I wanted the proof. Of all things you could say to the crowd, why call someone an ape! That’s weird to me….just call him an SOB and be done with it……especially since Serbians curse a lot….duh, who doesn’t??? The language in the states among the younger set is atrocious. I was at a ball game and Jr high kids were dropping the f-bomb every other word. Anyway I don’t know if Peter knows or not, but he did post some things that made me think it might be possible.I still don’t think he cursed the ball kid…..He did grab the towel from him in an angry manner. That’s all I saw that would be questionable towards the boy. Wasn’t the suck comment at another match??

April 9th, 2015 at 3:39 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlSa-lVFl_g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Joker swearing in Madrid. Perhaps the Serbs on here can translate even though the translation is out there for all to see. Like a street fighter, no? Lol

April 9th, 2015 at 4:47 am

Okie,
the “lick my …” was at the Madrid Masters in 2013. Supposedly, although I didn’t hear it, Nole cursed at somebody during the second set of the finals. I believe the twitter exchange Peter posted was about that incident. After the second set, when Novak was given the code violation, he told the umpire that he didn’t even curse in Serbian and asked him whether he actually knew what he was saying. Sometimes, Novak yells along these lines “What is this?! What is going on?!!” But his frustration is obvious and imaginative minds can assume that he was swearing. I rather believe he was venting his frustration in this manner when he was talking to the box. I am not saying he doesn’t swear. We can read his lips. Unfortunately, we have a plethora of unbelievable curses that can not be translated, there are simply no words in English. English F word is considered very nasty, but the translation in Serbian is as mild as “what a heck” .

April 9th, 2015 at 4:58 am

danica, twitter proves nothing, somebody heard something, translated and there we go, than that peter the “Serbian” copy/paste the thing, so it is my word against your, this dude claims in his first post that he even knows what Nole was shouting towards his box (Boris) word by word and you can’t hear anything nor you can read his lips but dude knows exactly what was Nole saying. Even Dr Spock wouldn’t be able to do that.
They are jealous and trying to divert attention from the successful start of the season by our man, No1e, he won three biggest titles of the season so far, that should be the topic but they want to minimize it, it’s not going to work.

Срећни ти долазећи Ускршњи празници.

April 9th, 2015 at 5:41 am

he reacts because of upbringing first and emotionally/character/Dna second.

both are formed mostly by parents. hen cant change his upbringing by 2 selfinvolved/centred people.

April 9th, 2015 at 6:10 am

and his reaction to chair umpire was normal?

total lack of respect from his part. yelling and almost threathening the ref.
if you find that normal then he is exactly #1 you deserve.

April 9th, 2015 at 6:14 am

@OK
http://www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-videos/736/The-Older-Ladies-Anthem-I-LOVE-This-#ORdqgB3yrVHgOr2R.01

Just for you. X

April 9th, 2015 at 7:38 am

Just in case we have forgotten, curses should not be taken literally. They just come out of the mouth automatically. Therefore, they are all the same regardless how some of them may sound really mean or more disgusting. All curses, for me at least, are equally disgusting. But I know they are automatic behavior for some so I just think of them as an expression uttered in extreme situations.

Well, anyway, from what I have observed with Djokovic, he loves his fans and will never curse at them, except maybe if the fan is asking for it. He is also careful about his image and avoids anything that will taint it. He is even more careful now that he is number one and a father.

Therefore, let us stop making a mountain out of this molehill. Although I must admit I smile a bit when I see what some people can read out of people’s mouth. It varies according to how you like or dislike the guy. We have some gifted lip readers here, and multilingual lip readers at that.

April 9th, 2015 at 7:56 am

@Okiegal:

In Serbian, to say somebody that he is an ape, a horse, a carp, an ox is equivalent to the French “espèce de c…”, “sale c…”, crétin, idiot etc. All this words have about the same value, something like “stupid”, although, as I understand it, “a catfish” is particularly stupid.

What he said was to the spectator is equivalent to the French: “F*us-moi la paix, espèce de crétin”. The verb fo*tre means f…, but it is used today even on TV in very serious emissions! Nobody knows any more what fo*tre and c*n means. The other day, before the elections, a politician said he couldn’t stand “conophobia” (he was accused of homophobia)!!

So, words, just like body language, habits, don’t have the same meaning in different languages.

Then, I spent more than one hour searching for any testimony of the verbal incident. I don’t use Twitter, but I found the twitter Peter quoted, and there, Dragan Zoric has indeed deleted some swearing. But that wasn’t what I ask Peter — I asked him to find me a link where Novak swears at his box. Novak already had altercations with some spectators, I don’t like it, but he has done it. And he really said in Madrid what he said, which means… just what he said.

But searching by key words I just found the testimony of one person about his words to the box: there were not addressed to the box, but to some spectators in the first rank. Novak denied not only to the umpire, but in an interview afterwards that he was swearing.

@Margot:

Body language is very different from country to country, and even in the same country, sometimes, from region to region, and is also different in different social groups. Just compare OFAH and “Inspector Morse”.

I took part in international students camps for years, and I was very often confused how to behave. I also worked in different countries, different cities in the same country, and had to adapt every time.

There are a few good films about body language (without the cultural differences) on YT. I read a lot of books, usually in French in English, but they don’t take in account the differences (Alan and Barbara Pease excepted).

Anyway, you can’t take in account everything. There is a big difference from Montpellier to Lyon. At Montpellier, they stand 20 cm closer. They are more casual, and when you speak to a woman, you always have the false impression that she’s flirting. In my mountains, when a lady stands at 30 cm of you and touches your hand, it is very… serious.

When you cross the street, you have to watch carefully right and left in Montpellier (or Paris, or Marseille). In Haute Savoie, you just read your journal and walk across the street (I mean both time over a zebra). Cars will stop anyway.

Driving a car is sometimes also a very painful experience. In ex Yugoslavia, nobody stops at zebra crossings. Turkey was a nightmare for me in the 80s, and, since then, I never used a car to travel there.

April 9th, 2015 at 8:19 am

@Peter:

Since you have an academic education, you know that you have first, second even third hand sources. Give a link where Novak swears at Becker, or Vajda. Is it so difficult?

Because I very well understand that one is swearing at himself, by himself. But I also know that swearing at somebody in Serbia is unacceptable, and in certain region, cursing somebody’s mother was extremely serious and lead to very violent reactions.

Like I said, I watch Novak’s matches for years, usually on my computer, so I also watched his matches on SK, with Serbian comments. I watched between 200-300 of his matches, and I guess I underestimated the number. Never heard him yelling at Vajda, or at his box.

This is also in contradiction with his loyalty to his team, who hasn’t changed for years. They are very close from what I’ve read. Novak is the godfather of Miljan’s Amanovic daughter. And Novak’s wife Jelena is often sitting in the box.

So… links please.

April 9th, 2015 at 8:52 am

“Driving a car is sometimes also a very painful experience. In ex Yugoslavia, nobody stops at zebra crossings. Turkey was a nightmare..”

You made me lough loud now, you remainded me on my wife’s first trip to Europe and her crossing the street, using pedestrian crossing. Firstly you have to know that pedestrians in Australia are protected like endangered species, they are literally running across even without looking if there is any cars. I warned her not to cross the streets in Belgrade (and Roma) the way she does in Aussieland but she stubbornly told me not to teach her how to cross the streets, well it took her about ten goes before she managed to cross the street using pedestrian crossing, nobody stops in Belgrade (or Roma), at the end she saw police patrol car and thinking they are going to stop she bravely stepped on road just to see police floring the car without stopping, I was holding the kids and laughing, at the end she looked at me at asked me politely “can you go first, please, I’ll follow you”:)
I remember having Americans from New York in Sydney for few days, after they carefully watched how the people are crossing the streets one of the Newyorkers said “if they do cross the street in NY the way they cross in Sydney they wouldn’t last one pedestrian crossing in New York”, I am thinking about sending my wife in NY;)

April 9th, 2015 at 8:59 am

@WB:

Send her to Paris…

April 9th, 2015 at 9:10 am

mat4,

Thanks for the tip..

April 9th, 2015 at 9:14 am

@Margot 7:38…….You nailed it!! This is me !! How did you know?? Lol This is so cute……You have a great sense of humor. If I ever met you in person, I guarantee you, I would know your innermost secrets in no time and you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable at all! Lol Thanks for sharing this video…..made my day!

April 9th, 2015 at 9:31 am

I am from central Serbia and I really never hated other people from Jugoslavija,but there was so much hatred in that country between different nationality before the war.
When Jugoslavija did fall apart hatred did not leave.It is still in each of this small countries.Therefore the worst comments about Novak could be read in Croatian papers.Peter and sienna just did bring here what is seen there.I know who they are and they do very good job in making Nole bad person.It is up to others to see them self or to believe this two people who hate Novak.

April 9th, 2015 at 9:57 am

@mat4…..Thanks for the response explaining the difference in the way certain words are used…carp,
ox, ape etc. This is amusing to me. Different cultures are interesting….This has been an enlightening discussion for me. I’ve learned a few things I didn’t know. Some of the vids out there that people are explaining away….I watch them and can’t tell what they are saying. Of course I don’t speak Serbian, French etc. The only thing I can make out is that they’re angry. I think most agreed on the you tube video comments, that he said lick. That may have been a little OTT to say…..if interpreted correctly. I will agree with the person who brought up the fact that they’re out there playing their guts out and if the crowd’s being a real nuisance, you would get frustrated and say things you might regret. They all have. I’m not holding it against him, I was just a little shocked about the one that supposedly happened in Madrid, as per Danica’ s comment.

@Danica……Thanks for your comment at 4:58. I didn’t know the f-bomb could mean heck….I say heck all the time and would never dream of using the f-bomb! If anyone on here wants to know what the f-bomb means, I will tell you, if you ask.

Have enjoyed this discussion, thanks for all the feedback, wow, our cultures are very different…..it’s been interesting.

April 9th, 2015 at 10:06 am

there’s another saying that some cultures use: “beating a dead horse.” in novak’s case we would have to say “horses”.

April 9th, 2015 at 10:23 am

@Okie:

What he said in Madrid… to me also, it seems very ugly.

But at his place, as a sanguine person, I could have reacted in a similar way in that match.

April 9th, 2015 at 10:40 am

@Jane……I have used that term so many times in the goat discussions…..know and understand where you are coming from. Rafa fans have been beat down too……over butt picking, time limit, gamesmanship, doping, blue court, bad balls…etc. It does get under ones skin, I’ll admit. Moving on, everyone??? I think it’s time! Have a good day,
Jane…….it seems you’ve had enough and so have I!
LOL….BTW….you are a fair minded poster and always enjoy reading what you have to say…..Okie!

April 9th, 2015 at 10:44 am

^^^The cultural aspect of the discussion has been very intriguing to me.

April 9th, 2015 at 10:46 am

@jane:

It is a very telling expression… But we also started an interesting conversation about cultural differences. In “Language, thought and reality” Benjamin Lee Whorf went into unexplored territory and tried to decipher how language expressed different Weltanschauungs. He was destined to fail, of course, but his book is highly interesting. He was the precursor of today’s cognitive linguistics, analyses of semantic fields, but he tried to go a step further, something contemporary searchers try usually to avoid.

April 9th, 2015 at 10:46 am

Oops, sent too fast…..has been very intriguing to me, at Novak’s expense, I suppose……

April 9th, 2015 at 10:48 am

“This is also in contradiction with his loyalty to his team, who hasn’t changed for years.”
———————–

Djokovic sacked his assistant coach & hitting partner of 2 years Dusan Vemic sometime in Aug. 2013. Before that Vemic got a lot of verbal abuse from Djokovic during matches, especially at 2013 Cincinnati, the type of yelling “Don’t just sit there like a log” interspersed with swearwords.

Similar was noticed during Djokovic vs Murray 2015 AO final:
Tennis Connected @TennisConnected Feb 1
Djokovic to Becker: Get up man and clap. I’m giving you a paycheck. 3-all in set three. Three hours on court. #AO15

These 2 matches are just off the top of my head; there’s also the 2014 USO Nishikori vs Djokovic, with choice verbal abuse of both his team and the crowd. You may want to research the tapes in detail yourself.

April 9th, 2015 at 10:57 am

mat4, lots of people don’t need encouraging. they’ve been saving up their sticks for beating dead and sometimes imaginary horses. you are very patient. so many more things to talk about, like panicking over clay for example ;)

April 9th, 2015 at 11:06 am

I think BB is the highest paid cheer leader ever. So, as I suspected BB was hired to sit in his box and smile and applaud joker. Lol. What a dummy!!

April 9th, 2015 at 11:07 am

@jane:

I found the tweet Peter refers too. But I also rewatched from 3-2 to 4-3 in the third set, and at 3.00 h from the beginning. Novak looked so exhausted at that precise moment that he was very unlikely to swear. Anyway, you can’t see him swearing, nor addressing Becker at that moment.

I had problems to understand what WB was referring to when he wrote to Peter “komsija”, which means “neighbour”. Now I know. And it is obvious Peter doesn’t know what a primary source is.

The story about Vemic… Something fishy here, and I will check it too.

April 9th, 2015 at 11:41 am

mat4, yes, well. it was a very long first and second set on a very hot afternoon, and both players were tired and maybe a bit irritated by their own struggles.

as i say, you are infinitely patient. but need you bother? after all what purpose will it serve?

whatever explanation you offer to, or discussion you have with, haters and dislikers it won’t change their minds. they will continue resurrecting past incidents here and there and overblowing present ones no matter what you say.

and you don’t have to change novak’s fan’s minds. we are the ones who actually appreciate that he is a good person and a great player. what else is there to concern ourselves with? poetry would be better. :) maybe music.

April 9th, 2015 at 11:50 am

What a nice discussion on cultural differences.
I can’t really understand what drives the haters but their “contribution” motivated the other side to keep going and produce a very interesting read. Thank you miserable pricks.

April 9th, 2015 at 11:58 am

Much Ado About Nothing,Nole in a moment of madness shouted at his box and not at the kid,we are all human and at times lose our tempers in the heat of the moment,when i see things like this i dont actually think of Serenas outburst which was mild in comparison to that of footballer Eric Cantona who lost it and kicked a Crystal Palace fan in the head for taunting him while playing, scaring two young kids that were sat close buy,the guy was banned from playing football for a while,and the guy was banned from ever entering any football ground ever again….

April 9th, 2015 at 12:23 pm

mat4,
You are becoming hard core Nole’s fan and I love that.
Thank You.

April 9th, 2015 at 1:02 pm

@AB:

“You are becoming hard core Nole’s fan and I love that.”

I always were! But I also try to be moderate, objective when I can, and to have a good relationship with my fellow posters.

@jane:

I don’t know what to say: it bothers me. Yes, you’re right: poetry is simply better. Even linguistics. But I’ve seen the consequences of “narratives” of different kind, and it is very ugly. I recently lost an old friend because of the Charlie affair, when I detailed what our own country was doing in Africa. And nobody speaks about it.

The truth, even in details, is also very important.

April 9th, 2015 at 1:12 pm

“How about I ram this racquet down your f***ing throat” comment

Sienna,
can you comment on the above? Would you say about Serena’s “Mom an dad are selfcentred”.

Or are you a ‘komsija,’ which I suspect.

April 9th, 2015 at 2:28 pm

This incident shows how careful we should be about jumping to conclusions even if the footage is apparently “conclusive”. It looked so ugly on TV especially the towel-snatching and that probably “confirmed” the theory. The facts emerged much later. That is why it is important to restrain oneself from judging players or labeling them only based on one’s own likes or dislikes. The outraged Novak fans would do well to introspect how irresponsible they have been themselves in the past.

April 9th, 2015 at 4:24 pm

This is the picture from Miami in which you can see how “bad” relationship beetwen Serbian players is:
http://www.galiotopen.com/nasi-teniseri-na-veceri-u-majamiju

Vemic was Nole’s hitting partner and good friend of his, he wasn’t his coach, Nole did him a favour and took him in his team to lear the trade and earn good money when he stoped playing and basicaly didn’t have any income, Nole took Troicki with him during most of his ban to practice with him encourage Viktor not to give up and keep playing tennis when he was about to quit, by Tipsy’s own admission few day ago, Nole was always there for him when he went to depression due to his health problems in a last 17 months, as Tipsy said in that interview Nole, although tired from IW insisted they play doubles in Miami because as Nole said “you need matches”, all these players expressed enormous gratitude to Nole and said publicly that they will never forget what Nole did for them when nobody else was around to help them.
Bojana, i remember you told me that you have girlfriends in Kragujevac and that you will introduce them to me once I am there, I will be in Kragujeva sometimes in August..please, I will be good boy:)

April 9th, 2015 at 5:45 pm

^^Dusan Vemic is second from the left, it is basically entire DC team bonding in Miami.

April 9th, 2015 at 5:48 pm

The thread started this discussion and not miserable people…….on second thought, miserable staff writers maybe?? LOL

April 9th, 2015 at 6:03 pm

@mat4…..

We have the right to get perturbed about something out favs might do……we can put them down for it but we don’t want old Joe Blow out there opening their pie hole. Just like your kinfolks…..you may see their short comings, but everyone else better keep quiet about it!!

April 9th, 2015 at 6:16 pm

I’m a huge Serena fan and I was appalled at what she said to the official at the USO! NO EXCUSES! She got fined and I hope it as a lot…..totally uncalled for. I was embarrassed for the USA on her behavior….but I still want her to win…..she’s an amazing player…..one with lots of passion and a fighter. She is another player who gets all wrapped up in the moment and can go off the rails….but not an excuse!!

April 9th, 2015 at 6:23 pm

Wog Boy,

I remember too,and I am sorry that I am not going to be in Kragujevac in August.If You go to Kragujevac You do not need my girlfriends,there are too many nice and beautiful girls who will be delighted to be with You.Of course as a friends nothing more.
I wish You everything the best and enjoy Your time there.
Novak need more fans like You.

April 9th, 2015 at 6:50 pm

“Of course as a friends nothing more.”
Of course as a friends, you didn’t think I could have any other ides, did you? I am bringing mat4 with me, so to have witness that I behaved appropriately, mat4 is reliable witness, you can trust him, right mat4?

In the other serious note, when ever I go to Serbia I visit Kragujeva and museum of “Kragujevac massacre” with my family, on my last trip my youngest daughter was so moved that she took photos and vides and when we arrived back in Sydney she was asked by her teacher in her high school to do speach about her holiday in Serbia and Europe (we visited Ireland and Greece too), she “Kragujevas massacre” as her topic, the girls (her school was girls school only) were crying when they saw the photos and video about massacre and heard about “Boys high school” that was taken out of their school classes and slaughtered together with the the teachers in 1941 300 of them. When their head teacher was offered to walk away alive from infront of firing squad, “no I am staying with my students, this the most important lesson I have to teach them, keep firing”, they wer all shot, all boys beetwen the age of 15-18:(

April 9th, 2015 at 7:23 pm

@Okiegal:

I am not sure if I really understood your post. I checked the words, I guess I am close, but some help would be welcome.

I shall repeat here what I wrote to you in another thread: I don’t like the way Novak behave in Madrid. It is unacceptable and ugly. And here, there’s nothing to deny: he said it, LMD…

But I don’t accept a character assassination. To accuse him of verbal abuse toward his coaches, friends, wife, without a link is not serious.

My kinsfolk shall have a De Gaulle again, and we’ll hopefully be once again the great nation we always were. Anyway, history is quite clear about our greatness and kindness: we saved the Celts from Britain and gave them Brittany. Then, we decided to free them completely so we conquered Britain and gave her a great language and civilization, words like car, travel, law, even Santa Claus, and some history — we gave them King Arthus because we already had Vercingetorix. When the king of England forgot that he was French, we beat him in a war that lasted 112 years, just to be sure he would remember. We paid the expenses of American revolution too, because we were rich, and then we made the greatest revolution of all, just to show that we were able to do it, etc.

Did the DA say that French were arrogant? How dares he?

;-)

April 9th, 2015 at 7:26 pm

@mat4……Maybe I can clear things up. In my post at 10:06 I said…”I’m not holding it against him, I was a little shocked about the one that supposedly happened in Madrid, as per Danica’s post”….
You acknowledged my post at 10:40. You said: “What he said in Madrid, to me also, it seems very ugly”.
My post @ 6:16 was more or less acknowledging the fact that you didn’t like his actions in Madrid. You can get on him for his behavior but when someone else does, it can make you aggravated. For instance, I might say something negative about my brother, cousin…..but would get angry if someone else said the same thing. Probably an American thing. I’m sorry you didn’t really understand what I meant…..but again, differences in how we are culturally…..maybe?? Hope this helps. Sorry for the confusion!

April 9th, 2015 at 8:20 pm

@Okie:

I understood now, and that’s what I guessed. I thought I was more objective than this. First, I’d never say anything ugly about your cousins. Nice people, all of them. Then, I don’t avoid a discussion about the ugly side of Novak.

Let’s take the previous case. I just asked Peter for facts — he gave me links in twitter. But I found by myself that he was mad at a part of the public seating in the first rank, and that he didn’t address his box, by someone pretending to have been at the match.

I didn’t take either at face value, so I asked for confirmation. The scene in Madrid is on YT (I admit that otherwise, I could difficultly believe that he really said that), so I demanded a proof. He gave me two examples: the match against Nishikori at the USO and the match against Murray at the AO, where he mentioned the time and the result. Since I have that match on my PC, I watched that sequence. I started earlier, watch almost all the third set, and didn’t see anything. Quite the contrary: Novak looked so tired that I can’t imagine he had an outburst of swearing while we watched the replay.

And it doesn’t fit with the rest of his character, something described by WB above in details.

You have noticed than when we argue about Rafa, there are things that I never mention (although I would to think deeply to remember which ;-), or when I do it, I take my distances. Here too, I just want an argumented debate, with facts.

BTW, did you notice that I wrote that Rafa, in GS finals, had an avg opponent with 9,6 slams won? The all time record.

April 9th, 2015 at 8:47 pm

@mat4…….I’m glad you understood what I was trying to say…..In one of my post on this issue I too asked for proof from Peter…..

I did read that post, and failed to respond to it! I’m sorry……slipping a bit on my things to do list. I meant to get back to you…..anyway, did see it, yeah, an amazing fete!! He’s a clay beast!!

Nice chats with you…..I really have had my eyes opened up regarding the vocabulary…..I couldn’t believe some of the different meaning of words in different areas of the world as opposed to here in the USA…….. very interesting……

April 9th, 2015 at 9:23 pm

@Okiegal:

It’s not only the words. Did you that for Russians, sky blue and dark blue are not two different shades of the same colours, but two different colours, like blue and red? In France, it’s always the senior that shakes hands first (he is the first to tend his hand), while in Eastern Europe the junior is the one to do it?

But things are changing fast, under the pressure of the media, school, communications, fashion, and a more and more unified culture emerges, destroying old habits.

And now, finally… about Rafa…

Yes, he is an amazing personality. And he’s not a clay beast, but a great player overall. (I better stop here.)

April 9th, 2015 at 10:20 pm

@mat4

Colors in Russia different from the norm…….didn’t know that. The hand shaking thing, a custom…..and you are so right, customs changing right and left…..everywhere.

Now about Rafa….I love to watch him play tennis….I better stop there or I will be accused
of being a worshipper…..when in fact I only worship God…….

April 9th, 2015 at 10:40 pm

@Wog Boy
Ever tried to cross the road in Rome? Lucky to escape with your life!
@OK
No, same in UK. I can diss my brother, but if you do, I will kill you, not literally of course!

April 10th, 2015 at 2:10 am

@mat4
King Harold is a particular hero of mine and I have never forgiven William of Normandy!
The Normans imposed the language of power on us and the remnants of that feudal system still exists.
The history of Britain would’ve been so different if Harold had won, fascinating stuff.

April 10th, 2015 at 2:20 am

but the normans mean we can say we’re having “poultry” for dinner instead of just “chicken.” ;)

April 10th, 2015 at 2:41 am

@jane
Too heavy a price ;)

April 10th, 2015 at 2:43 am

So now people count the slamwins of the losing finalist to try to get Federer down.
1th you guys are claiming he got them in weakera but do want to count those wins.

2nd shouldnt slam wins from losing semi, quarter count just as much. You have to win 7 matches not 1. even in the weakera.

April 10th, 2015 at 3:20 am

@jane, Margot:

If you don’t like poultry, you can always have some “pork”, or “veal”, or even some “beef”…

April 10th, 2015 at 3:59 am

@mat4
Or I could settle for swine, cow or sheep. ;)

April 10th, 2015 at 4:05 am

@Margot:

Admit it, you were vegetarians “the day before we came”.

April 10th, 2015 at 4:25 am

Lol mat4, our canines tell a different story. Tho. I do believe civilisation only started once manunkind started growing crops.

April 10th, 2015 at 4:31 am

@Okie:

“Colors in Russia different from the norm…”

Okie, the norm is not what we think. Our vision of the world is self centred, while, in fact, we are just a minority, and mostly an ignorant minority. We speak of “international community”, leaving out 80% of the world countries and 90% of his population. We believe that Europe is important, while it is very small: a country like India is twice as big as the entire Europe. The States are the “indispensable” country, although it probably won’t exist in less than 20 years, and is already bankrupt.

Recently one of my countryman said that we were the “oldest nation” of the civilized world, and I had a good laugh. Our “western” hegemony is lasting for the 300 years and we think that it won’t ever change, but Mongols ruled the world longer than we did.

So, why would our behaviour be the norm? The norm is what Chinese do, Indians do. Asia is the center of the world. Africa is the biggest continent. We should show more respect for others, their customs, their traditions, their culture.

Just like Rafa, we should be more humble.

April 10th, 2015 at 6:38 am

mat4,

I can see where you are heading;)

BTW, this is where I am waiting for you in August, part of the Belgrade where I grew up, you need one large vodka to enjoy this song and I know you can understand lyrics:

http://youtu.be/39D1O5XFA2M

Where is our friend Peter the “Serbian” with a new claim that Nole is bashing up Stefan..

April 10th, 2015 at 7:01 am

Wogboy i dont understand the lyrics,but the scenery is quite stunning,i live in a seaside town but im a country girl at heart ;)….

Im confused didnt we have a Peter that was singing the praises of Novak when he won the IW/Miami double just a few days ago,or was that a different poster hmmmm?….

April 10th, 2015 at 7:11 am

OH MY GOD,Wog Boy where did YOU find this.My hart is in pain how I will go to work now.Pain for Serbia,pain for past, pain for present,pain for life that is going far away.

April 10th, 2015 at 7:11 am

Bojana, I just feel like that music on Good Friday (Sydney time), just got back from church (evening liturgy), got my plum brandy and let the music flow, he is a local singer/composer known mostly to us who love and appreciate Zemun and enjoy this kind of music in numerous restaurants with live music that we love, “tamburaši”, in Zemun and around Zemun on the beautifull river Danub.

HC, there is Peter and there peter, two posters.

April 10th, 2015 at 7:26 am

^^Danube

April 10th, 2015 at 7:27 am

Wogboy yeah thought so….

April 10th, 2015 at 7:27 am

@wog Boy
Was in South Africa, came across a graveyard full of young Welsh men and women who had died in the 19c . Buried so far away from the green hills.
Unbearably sad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxPulya1bSE&list=RD3kUnCwV3AYE&index=17

April 10th, 2015 at 7:35 am

@Margot,
I had a goosebumps listening it, language isn’t barrier, feelings are what matters and they are the same. Thanks hips, I need another brandy.

April 10th, 2015 at 7:54 am

@mat 4……I will have to admit all I really know about is what’s in my little corner of the world. That’s my “norm”. I regret not taking World History in high school…..I now think it would be very interesting since I have been doing genealogy research. To think, if my ancestors hadn’t gotten on the boat, I definitely would have been European. Wales, Ireland, Scotland is where the different branches of my family tree derive from.

Your remark about Rafa being humble…..are you serious? It’s hard to tell. There is so much negativity about Rafa and him being “humble”….I’m not sure. Whether he is or isn’t, I would like to think that I’m a humble person…..I try to be, but am probably failing miserably…….

@Margot……loved the video link which led me to more Wales vids….homeland of my ancestors! Thanks, so beautiful…..

@Wog Boy…..Didn’t understand the lyrics either, but loved the scenery and lively music! Gave me a happy feeling.

April 10th, 2015 at 9:08 am

Glad you liked it Wog Boy and Ok. Mat might like it too.
It’s the most beautiful, simple, haunting melody.
Music has the power to transcend culture, language, time, place and touch all human hearts.
Loved your vid too Wog Boy, for all those reasons.

April 10th, 2015 at 9:14 am

@Okiegal:

Rafa is a very complex person. Yes, I do believe that he is humble, and I had a long thought about that.

April 10th, 2015 at 9:32 am

so nice to see you guys have moved on to music. thanks for sharing both videos. nice way to start the day today. :)

April 10th, 2015 at 9:54 am

@mat4…….That means a lot coming from you. I think so too. I know he has his faults and I see them with open eyes…….but so do I…..like you said about Chick the other day, no one’s perfect!! Lol

April 10th, 2015 at 9:55 am

An answer to WB, Okie and Margot, and something for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGtzYLIzY6c

You have subs here (not to mention that Alyona is beautiful):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bBdFcdPJiQ

April 10th, 2015 at 10:43 am

WB, just for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vRYwaJC5FY

and, especially this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AhKwGhOMug

April 10th, 2015 at 10:44 am

This is for jane, although Okie and Margot should like too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopzSOiNg8s

My favourite film theme.

April 10th, 2015 at 11:09 am

Chaque fleur s’évapore ainsi qu’un encensoir;
Le violon frémit comme un coeur qu’on afflige;
Valse mélancolique et langoureux vertige!
Le ciel est triste et beau comme un grand reposoir.

April 10th, 2015 at 11:10 am

@mat4……These were lovely. The first a movie from 1949 I assume??……More with sub titles please!! The country in these looks like west Texas and western Oklahoma…..U r right, the lady singer is very beautiful! Thanx for sharing……BTW there is not enough feuding, fussing and fighting going on here…far away from the “norm”….LOL

April 10th, 2015 at 11:10 am

oh mat4, baudelaire, “the sky is sad”… lovely. there’s a line in a marquez story: “the world had been sad since tuesday” that i’ve always loved. i can’t seem to play the video at my office but will watch later from home!

April 10th, 2015 at 11:19 am

Okie:

The lady singer is Marina Ladinina, Alyona is the one in red here, the one with the magic smile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFocQC5hWyI

original here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFocQC5hWyI

April 10th, 2015 at 11:41 am

@mat4……..The last of the Mohicans…..I’ve watched it a few times. When I see its going to be aired, I watch…..mainly to here that beautiful theme song and for the scenery. That was filmed in a
Asheville, South Carolina or it might have been North. Daniel Day Leis and Madeleine Stowe were awesome. Definitely one of my all time favs! Thanx!

April 10th, 2015 at 11:43 am

@jane:

Marquez has such beautiful novel titles. Simply a great one: Of Love and Other Demons.

April 10th, 2015 at 12:06 pm

Had not heard that theme for a long time @ mat4. Wonderful…

Along that topic I’d add: Ennio Morricone’s theme from “The Mission” and “Cinema Paradiso”

Also Hans Zimmer, “King Arthur”

April 10th, 2015 at 12:49 pm

Cheers, mat4. Really good to be discussing/listening to music of the heart.

April 10th, 2015 at 1:09 pm

@11:43…..typos, hope you ignored…I know it’s hear and not here. I know I’m not the sharpest knife in the cupboard, but I’m not ignorant!!

April 10th, 2015 at 2:34 pm