Help
2008-04-29 09:12:00
Does everyone remember when Justine Henin retired against Amelie Mauresmo in the final of the Australian Open? The FINAL. Of a Grand Slam event. Because she had a tummy ache. Not a ruptured spleen or appendicitis or a broken ankle. Her stomach was upset – and that upset was called “I'm getting completely flattened by Amelie Mauresmo”. Right. Saturday was almost like that time. Not quite as bad, but almost.
Unless he's playing Rafael Nadal on a red court, Roger Federer is generally considered the favorite in any match he plays. But on Saturday, odds makers tipped Novak Djokovic. He's one of the new stars of the ATP tour, winner of the Australian Open and becoming quite well known for bailing from matches when the going gets tough. The Monte Carlo Country Club stadium was sold out with fans who had paid quite a few Euros for the pleasure of watching tennis' top four battle it out in the semi-finals. Nikolay Davydenko and Rafael Nadal were up first. Let's just say it wasn't exactly an epic battle. Davydenko was tired and Rafa is....well, Rafa. Easy straight set victory, but that was to be expected. Most people were waiting for Federer and Djokovic anyway.
Djokovic beat Federer pretty handily in the semis at the Australian Open and everyone wondered if Roger was perhaps going to be Djokovic's whipping boy the way Andy Murray is. Sorry Murray fans – I like him too, but the guy is terrible against Djokovic. The first set was pretty close. Djokovic had chances, but Federer proved to be a touch better in the movement department. I was busy writing my article on the Nadal match when the second set started. Then I heard a deafening round of booing and looked up to see them shaking hands at the net. Did Djokovic just RETIRE?
The press conference was packed with reporters. His explanation left us all gaping. “I have a sore throat.” Pardon? A SORE THROAT? “The doctor said there is nothing wrong with me, but obviously it is the wrong diagnosis.” Yes. Obviously. He forgot to mention that one of the symptoms was acute pain after going down a break in the second. I'm sure THAT would have changed the doctor's diagnosis. I'm sorry, but unless you are incapacitated in some way, you finish out the match. Andre Agassi did. Pete Sampras did. Andy Murray threw up all over the court at the US Open several years ago and continued. Gaston Gaudio tore ligaments in his foot and tried to finish. Quitting for a sore throat? I'm not impressed. I wrote a blog a couple weeks ago about Djokovic being the future bad boy of tennis. I'm not so sure about the bad boy part any more, but if he keeps doing these things, he's going to be disliked by the fans. And of course, his behavior seems all the worse because he shares company with Nadal and Federer, both of whom are pretty good sportsmen when it comes down to it.
I think Federer should move to Monte-Carlo. Really. He's already one step away from saint-hood – residency would just seal the deal for him. Man is that guy ever loved here. There were a few times I thought somebody was going to write a sonnet to the guy. Oh the style! Oh the beauty and grace! What a GENTLEMAN! And so on. But the amazing part is that the guy who has kept Roger from the big win twice in a row is so likable himself, that the Federer-ites in Monte Carlo can't bring themselves to say anything bad about him. A testament, for sure, to the likability of Rafael Nadal. He brings a certain exuberance to the sport that is infectious, and even the tennis elite, who have a tendency to flock to Federer in droves are drawn in. It's a thing of beauty.
Tomorrow, I'm actually going to try to see some stuff IN Monte-Carlo. Hopefully I have some good stuff to tell you about.
Tell a friend »
frankly, I'm getting quite tired of all these judgemental appraisals of players' behaviours, always focussing on negative traits. we're all human, including tennis players but because they are notable figures, anything short of perfect goes under the public microscope.
sstay , 9/7/08 2:12 PM
"Gaston Gaudio tore ligaments in his foot and tried to finish." That was not noble, that was STUPID.
danica , 10/2/08 4:04 AM
Oh please stop it, I've really had enough, live him alone, what's wrong with all of you, if you don't like him, that's your business, you have so many players to comment, why are you so interested in Novak, I know why, cause he's very good one, honest, humble, straight forward, full of confidence, I really feel sick from some people who're in a race of competition how to insult our icon, you have to realize one thing, he's getting stronger and stronger all the time, he's right to do whatever he wants to do, if you don't like it, it's your problem, don't watch him, talk about your players, but I have doubt, you have any, finally, nobody can destroy our devotion to Novak, we do love him honestly end our love is priceless.
gordana , 10/2/08 12:04 PM
Wed 09/05 14:58
Novak Djokovic takes up skating at the Madrid ice rink
Thu 29/03 14:30
Nadal and Spain give French TV a punch in the mouth
Mon 19/03 13:56
And Roger Federer is BACK
Mon 30/01 15:12
Djokovic and Nadal’s Aussie Open final, the best tennis has to offer
Sun 22/01 02:28
Adding insult to injury, Nalbandian fined
Tue 17/01 02:06
Nadal voices displeasure at Federer's inaction
Wed 11/01 14:41
Mardy Fish has gone off the rails
Sat 17/12 20:39
2011, the tennis year in review
Tue 22/11 17:46
Yannick Noah out for some Spanish blood
Thu 03/11 14:40
Nadal bails on Paris Masters again
Sun 09/10 22:00
The post-US Open blues
Sat 10/09 16:52
Wozniacki and Serena battle for bragging rights
Wed 07/09 15:40
Where US Open rain stops, scheduling paranoia begins
Tue 16/08 19:29
US Open scandal brewing
Wed 10/08 17:22
A less Maestro-like Federer gets ignored
View all posts
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
Cheryl Murray: I have just been rereading this piece with the benefit of 20:20 hindsight. Your comments and predictions were spot on. You clearly had the measure of the man ahead of most people.
I wouldn't have been able to resist saying 'I told you so" but I bet you were smiling wryly to yourself during the fall-out after the Robredo and Roddick matches.
ed251137 , 9/7/08 11:51 AM