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2008-10-10 13:28:55
As we inch closer to the start of the much anticipated Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid this weekend, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your ongoing support. Your words of encouragement mean the world to Tennis Talk and Team DdV, so please keep sending me your emails!
1) I'm so sick of Novak Djokovic this year. Why can't he decide if he wants to be a good guy or a bad guy? -Jez
DdV: Some ATP tour players, while appearing confident and secure on the tennis court, will often attempt to camouflage feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, as they struggle to withstand the white-hot glare of the media spotlight, as well as the constant pressure that comes with living life as a professional athlete.
If you read my interview with PD, you may remember how he indicated that certain guys did not benefit from a sudden burst of fame. The resulting shift in lifestyle, as I see it, has had negative impact on Novak Djokovic. After his win in Melbourne earlier this year, tennis fans have become weary watching the Serb's irritable routine, whether they choose to greet him with polite indifference, or outright hostility as we saw in Flushing Meadows.
Within the past 24 hours, we received an email explaining how some of Djokovic's tour mates are exasperated by his behaviour. Unless Novak doesn't mind being sold out to the press, we think he should employ an alternative code of conduct immediately.
Dismantling Djokovic blind item- This tour player's coach said of the world #3:
"He has become increasingly arrogant, obnoxious and insulated since he won (the Australian Open) the title. His whole entourage is enough to make me sick to my stomach."
2) Why couldn't John McEnroe score? -ronni940
DdV: Seeing how Mr. McEnroe is a multiple major title winner, I will assume that your question refers to his "girl troubles" off-court.
Please take a good look as this photograph:
 |
 Here he is again, alongside his "competition" at the time. |
Some people are born better looking than others, and a young John McEnroe, in my opinion, was unfortunate enough to play on the tour when Bjorn Borg garnered worldwide attention, beautiful women included. In addition to his physical shortcomings, most women are none to eager to cozy up to a man with the personality of a cantankerous cactus.
3) Why do you think Andy Roddick didn't show up for Mardy Fish's wedding? -LJK
Andy was committed to play in Bejing during the last weekend of September. He eventually won the tournament, making the choice to skip the wedding more easily palatable for the public to accept.
That being said, I disagree with Andy's decision not to attend. Close friends who share a history together do not miss out on watershed moments, even when work responsibilities present some scheduling difficulties.
4) Which player do you most want to interview next? -Bella Thorne
Although you might expect me to drop a famous name here, I won't. Everyone and their grandmother wants to land an interview session with the biggest names in tennis. As I write this blog, I am working on setting a time to chat with world #124, Thomaz Bellucci.
Team DdV is keeping a close watch upon the 20-year-old Brazilian, who pushed Rafael Nadal to a 7-5 first set on his beloved clay at Roland Garros this spring.
5) Have you seen the latest picture of Robby? What's wrong with him?!?! -littlesuziup
You did not include a last name in your email to me, but judging by the sense of urgency contained within your writing, I'm guessing you are talking about Robby Ginepri.
We were shocked when we were sent this picture of him.
We're not sure if it is the angle of the camera, a most unfortunate trip to the hair salon (for which his stylist should promptly be fired), or too much time spent baking in the sun, but for a guy who just celebrated a birthday, Robby looks quite a bit older than 26.
Whatever combination of factors has the American looking like a geriatric version of himself, Team DdV gives a hearty thumbs down to his public relations team, which should have handed him a mirror, long before for allowing him to be photographed in this manner.
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LMAO that Robby pic gets me always too, his losing hair and the comb over makes him look so older, the expression "i just farted i hope no one noticed" doesnt help either.
Britney , 10/10/08 3:48 PM
Team DdV, good job as always, u make me keep on coming back!!!
nole and his camp had better come up with something to patch up that tattered public image of him, stat! i feel bad for him, all that talent and character...it might all go down the drain if he doesn't start behaving real well, real soon...
Robby G. needs to do what any man facing such a, uh, predicament... Do an Andre! shave it all off, cos a shiny bad head is way better than than one that is so desperately and hopelessly being covered to no avail...
mLina , 10/10/08 6:17 PM
Oh Lord, give me a strength to survive these articles, since I've joined to Tennistalk, I'm wondering why people do have a wrong opinion about wonderful guy, Novak Djokovic, I've realized there's no point to discuss anymore with folks who don't understand many things, whether or not, some of you, has to admit, he's great tennis player and that's enough, no matter, you don't like him, for me and my surrounding, Novak will stay the best forever, nobody's perfect, sometimes he has attitude problem but tell me who doesn't, all of them are human being, so, please, don't talk about him in a negative contest anymore, by doing that, you're insulting many people who're supporting and love him very much, thnks. in advance...
gordana , 10/11/08 9:58 AM
No point Gordana in explaining anything. Some people just do not want to accept that there are other cultures out there and that certain behaviour doesn't necessarily mean the same thing all over the world. Look at how they crucified Novak for his alleged insults where he was obviously the insulted one. Those Roddick and Robredo antics made me sick.
Nole will have to prove them all wrong with his good games. Only yesterday he showed how great sportsman he is when in the second set with Hanescu (after losing the first) he showed that Hanescu should've asked the challenge. No one on tour, including "Mr. fair player" Federer would have done it. Not when it was such an important point that eventually have costed him a break.
Anybody out there who actually comments on things like that? Or are you just being selective? I thought good journalism meant being fair and ubiased.
danica , 10/17/08 1:02 AM
stop with trying so hard. bump old threads~this one & other one more than a month old. boy here is too obvious, now obvious to me.
elle , 10/17/08 3:16 AM
No love on demand for nobody.
milivice , 10/20/08 3:06 PM
milvice, we don't need your 'love' at all...
gordana , 10/22/08 11:12 AM
On demand,only IRS.
milivice , 10/22/08 12:31 PM
Dani DeVine brings you the lighter side of the ATP. Comment or concerns? Contact Dani at dani.devine [AT] tennistalk.com...
Mon 03/11 11:13
Federer's finest 5
Mon 27/10 10:43
ATP Mo-jo
Wed 22/10 22:50
Survey says: Simon is a star!
Mon 20/10 11:42
The importance of being Ernests
Thu 16/10 14:13
Reality, rumours, and the ridiculous
Mon 13/10 14:26
Backstage with the billionaire bad boy
Fri 10/10 13:28
No love for Nole
Tue 07/10 20:01
Farewell to the Fabulous
Fri 03/10 11:14
Cast your vote for the G.O.A.T.
Wed 01/10 11:20
The hotshot hall of fame: Marat Safin
Mon 29/09 10:47
Mommy and Daddy dearest
Fri 26/09 10:01
A very lucky Willy
Wed 24/09 12:11
Rafa-lution
Mon 22/09 15:33
Inside the ATP: After hours part II
Fri 19/09 12:51
David does DC
View all posts
Did you know that... Rafael Nadal won 81 consecutive matches on clay during 2005 and 2007.
james007, Nov 20, 2008 8:03 AM
janhavi, Nov 20, 2008 4:04 AM
Avalaine, Nov 20, 2008 12:10 AM
arailic, Nov 19, 2008 7:29 PM
elle, Nov 19, 2008 7:21 PM
jean, Nov 20, 2008 7:47 AM
tennisfan2, Nov 12, 2008 4:24 AM
elle, Nov 10, 2008 2:11 AM
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HAHAHAHAHA. That pic of Ginepri gets me every time. Good Lord. Also, poor Johnny Mac. True story - he hit on a friend of mine years ago in a bar. She turned him down flat, so the rumours are definitely true.
cherylmurray , 10/10/08 2:58 PM