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 »
I remembered the game between Pete Sampras and Chang in the French Open way back then.It lasted for hours and Pete was throwing up all over the place and still finished the game. Djokovic should be reminded that he will not be judged by the NUMBER of tournaments that he won but by the WAY he played during those contests. Federer and Nadal ARE the Top players but STILL maintain the level of sportsmanship befitting a TRUE CHAMPION...win or lose!
agf25agf , 4/29/08 11:04 PM
I was at the match Djokovic beat Federer at AO this year. you could tell Federer wasn't well. He barely moved around the court and the tiredness was incredibly clear. He could have retired if he had wanted to. I'm not sure if he knew he had Glandular Fever (mono) at the time but he could have thrown it all in saying that he suspected a virus. He didn't - he kept playing.
I don't think players should continue if they have a physical injury or are throwing up on court or cannot breathe but they should weigh whether or not they can continue for another hour or so to the completion of the match in the problem is not a physical injury.
When I travelled to Melbourne and it cost me a small fortune to go for the two sessions I attended. At the time I was unimpressed with the Federer match but now I am glad he didn't retire. If it were Novak out there he probably would have. That would have been flights, accom and tickets not worth the effort.
Had I been a spectator for "that" Henin match I would have demanded a refund. Finals tickets are anything but cheap.
I should also mention that the final between Djokovic and Tsonga was awesome - and made the trip certainly worth the funds and effort! Can't wait to go back down next year!!
BernieEliza , 4/30/08 9:31 AM
the headline to this story really doesn't make much sense.
sheila , 5/2/08 12:50 AM
Neither does your comment, Sheila. Seems to me that it is pretty self explanatory. Djokovic retired, using the excuse of a sore throat. There is nothing unclear about the headline.
GlitterattiGirl , 5/3/08 10:02 PM
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
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
We love to hear from you. Comments or concerns? Contact Cheryl at cheryl.murray [AT] tennistalk.com....
Thu 06/11 09:00
Top ten "what were they thinking" moments in 2008 Part II
Mon 03/11 15:09
Top ten "what were they thinking" moments in 2008 Part I
Fri 31/10 13:49
Andy Murray, new "it" boy
Thu 09/10 08:33
I don't miss Andre Agassi anymore
Fri 05/09 20:45
Next time, think BEFORE you speak, Nole
Wed 03/09 23:25
Rafael Nadal makes it easy to cheer for opponents
Mon 18/08 17:38
Federer and Nadal - Is it love, hate or something else entirely - Part 2
Fri 08/08 08:51
Federer and Nadal - Is it love, hate or something else entirely - Part 1
Tue 05/08 16:43
Roger Federer haunted by the Wimbledon ghost
Thu 24/07 16:23
Day two in Toronto - how my day was nearly ruined
Tue 22/07 19:58
Day one in Toronto - ATP players are pigs
Tue 08/07 17:43
Rafael Nadal the grass court god - who would have guessed
Fri 27/06 16:53
Nadal wins, Djokovic loses and Federer debuts THE SWEATER
Tue 10/06 17:22
Rafael Nadal, the clay court god
Tue 13/05 15:45
Federer Focusing on the Grand Slams
View all posts
Did you know that... Legendary Björn Borg won 23 of 27 five set matches.
janhavi, Nov 20, 2008 2:41 PM
janhavi, Nov 20, 2008 2:14 PM
gordana, Nov 20, 2008 11:28 AM
james007, Nov 20, 2008 8:03 AM
janhavi, Nov 20, 2008 4:04 AM
janhavi, Nov 20, 2008 5:15 PM
tennisfan2, Nov 12, 2008 4:24 AM
elle, Nov 10, 2008 2:11 AM
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.3.0
Subscribe to this blog
Hmm, too bad that he is getting a reputation like this. Maybe ATP should investigate him as well...
Retired something like 5 or 6 times during his career. But it's as you say usually when he is down or a break down in a set. Not a pretty way to walk off the court!
Ericsson , 4/29/08 10:05 AM