A page and forum to discuss all things Novak Djokovic.
Current ranking: 1
Last result: Banja Luka quarterfinals (lost to Dusan Lajovic)
Next tournament: Rome Masters
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A page and forum to discuss all things Novak Djokovic.
Current ranking: 1
Last result: Banja Luka quarterfinals (lost to Dusan Lajovic)
Next tournament: Rome Masters
Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes
This is what I posted early on during MC:
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rafaisthebest says: April 21, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Just read an interesting theory in the blogosphere: Novak does not want to go to Madrid because of the way the Madrid crowd treated him last year so this injury would provide the perfect excuse to miss Madrid.
We (royal “we”) wait and see………………
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I take no credit for this, just reported the speculation out there at the time.
Based on this theory, Nole would have stopped playing the USO years ago.
^^true dat…….
Changes nothing really, except all that speculation about Novak possibly overtaking Rafa in the rolling rankings in Madrid has to wait until Rome. He had what, 10 points to defend in Madrid?
RT @russellcfuller: “Novak Djokovic pulls out of Madrid Masters as his right wrist injury has ‘flared up again.’ Says he’s still hoping to be in Rome next week. You can’t help wondering whether Djokovic has risked his chances in the summer slams by not giving the wrist a proper break”
I just can’t see him back before Toronto or even later. Saying he’ll be better in time toplay Rome is too optimistic.
I think his withdrawals are being managed, one tournament at a time. He started off by saying he would be out for some time then immediately retracted that and said he was fit to play Madrid onwards. Someone must have whispered in his ear, tournament directors, maybe, to withdraw his statement.
The same was happening to Rafa is 2012, when we all got excited he would be back for the Nth American swing then the Asian wing, then the YE Final, then Australia and it never happened. Delpo also was in the draws until the very last minute. I don’t expect to see Nole in Rome or RG, at this rate.
Well, whatever decision he takes, I hope he takes it BEFORE tournament draws are done. Lop-sided draws are no fun…….
Nadline@3:26pm “I think his withdrawals are being managed,”
I’m sure the tourney directors would rather the administrative logistics of a last minute withdrawal to the prospect of the impact an advance withdrawal would have – e.g. ticket sales, sponsors’ wrath, TV revenue etc.
Maybe they waited unti they’d signed up the Serbian media. With Rafa there I don’t think ticket sales, TV revenue and sposorship will suffer.
All the media, and in particular the ATP site, have been talking up the Rafa/Nole rivalry and the ‘battle’ for the No.1 spot ad nauseum. Now they have egg on their faces with one of the key players in the drama failing to show up.
^^What, no headlines screaming, “Rafa gets to keep his #1 spot for now!”
#Bummer
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Sitting in Madrid wondering if I’ve ever seen a smaller international press contingent at any Masters/Premier event. #tennishouldbeworried”
Tell that to Bodo, Neil. He thinks Tiriac is a genius.
Don’t worry, Mr.Neil! Read Spanish media!
I think, all the journalist should learn Spanish.
RT @SI_BTBaseline: “Lucky Winner: With Djokovic’s withdrawal, Paul-Henri Mathieu gets his vacated spot in the Madrid draw and gets a bye into 2R. #atp”
ed251137 says:
May 4, 2014 at 5:23 pm
You got it. ❗
snowdevil says:
May 4, 2014 at 11:58 am
I have seen some here say they long for a diversity of opinions and fans of players other than Nadal on this site. I was just calling the bs as I saw it. I would have said the same thing if it were Federer or Murray, or probably anyone for that matter (except Bellucci. I cannot stand Bellucci).
Nuff said. So you are not a saint after all.
Frankly, I prefer freedom of expression. I don’t like this PC regime where we are all supposed to ‘like’ all the players. Yes, I call out someone who has no difficulty running with the deer and hunting with the hounds, but seriously, I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t feel relief that at least Rafa doesn’t have anyone nipping at his heels atm for the #1 ranking.
Even though Rafa gets a lot of stick on TW no matter what he does, no one expects his fans to be nice about his rivals. They almost declare a national holiday when Rafa loses and have no difficulty in hoping he loses every match he plays, which is fine, because they are not fans of his. The day I start speaking up for Rafa’s rivals, that’s the day I stop posting on tennis forums.
Of course, no one wishes injury to anyone, but don’t tell me that Atletico Madrid would be sorry if Ronaldo was ruled out with injury before the Champions’ League final. It’s par for the course. That’s life.
snowdevil says:
May 4, 2014 at 11:58 am
( I cannot stand Bellucci).
Just wait until vamosrafa sees this. He will not approve!
Nobody here ever said that they were saints. That’s not the issue. It’s a diversionary tactic to try to put others on the defensive. I don’t see anyone telling people here that they have to say nice things about other players. I don’t see anyone stopping others from saying what they think. What I do see are people expressing their prerogative to respect and admire the game and qualities of other players. Or stating their belief that someone is not faking an injury.
This “running with the deer and hunting with the hounds” is the exact comment that was directed at me last year on TT when I gave my opinion that Novak was not faking the ankle injury. This expression clearly implies that the person to whom it is directed is being hypocritical and not honest. It’s a convenient way of insulting someone without coming right out and saying it directly. There was nothing contradictory or wrong in expressing an opinion regarding the legitimacy of Novak’s ankle injury last year.
I don’t know who presumes to make up rules or a guide to who to be a Rafa fan. I don’t understand that at all. As if there is a “right” or “wrong” way to be a Rafa fan. It’s beyond presumptuous for anyone to think that only they know what it means to be a true Rafa fan. If one believes that it’s forbidden to say anything positive about Rafa’s rivals, then that’s their point of view. But don’t try to push it down everyone’s throats.
This is not about being “PC”. It’s not about “gagging” anyone. It’s about the simple right to have a different opinion and express it without having one’s loyalty to Rafa questioned. Guess what? I am relieved that no one can take the #1 ranking away from Rafa right now! I am not happy that it came because of an injury to Rafa’s rival. Or are we still going to talk about Novak “faking” the wrist injury? That he is withdrawing from Madrid for another reason? I guess that might be the case for some. Not for myself.
Noles’s fans on TW think he is boycotting Madrid because they booed him last year, like the Williams sisters boycott IW and they should know. Less of the preaching! I cannot ride 2 horses at the same time.
Take your own advice regarding the preaching.
There are strong similarities between the pronouncements from Nole after he rolled his ankle during the DC match with Sam Querry and the sequence of statements following his loss to Federer.
I’m still struggling to understand why both injuries started out being described as serious requiring long term recuperation. Then a few days later as not being as serious as first feared. In both cases it was implied although no surgery was required nevertheless he might miss Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/pv3uzf8
http://preview.tinyurl.com/mjd2uhr
Of course it is always possible that the doctors have misdiagnosed the injury as happened with Davydenko. After falling and injuring his wrist at Rotterdam doctors failed to spot it was broken. It was not until some weeks later an MRI revealed it was actually fractured – by which time he had already played several more matches.
Many of his fans all over the internet pounce on anyone who say they believe he is injured, preferring to believe that he is resting up for RG, or boycotting the tournament because they were hostile to him last year.
Djoko was rude towards the crowd!
Redeucer, May 12, 2013: ¤¤ Djokovic to Madrid: ‘You Will Now Lick My D**k’!
Novak Djokovic recently shouted a vulgarity at the crowd during his second round match against Grigor Dimitrov at the Madrid Open.
With a pro-Dimitrov crowd consistently chanting Dimitrov’s name throughout the match, the sensitive Serbian finally succombed to the pressure.
World No. 28 Dimitrov eventually overpowered Djokovic, 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (8-10) 6-3. And at a change over in the match after Djokovic won the second set tiebreaker, he exclaimed in his native Serbian:
“Sad ce te kurac da mi lizete,” which literally translates to, “You will now lick my dick.”¤¤
@ed,
I respect your opinion and the things that you brought up. All reasonable points. I certainly am willing to read your thoughts and think about what you have said. I don’t know the answers. I have given Novak the benefit of the doubt. I could be wrong. There’s nothing wrong with having suspicions.
Thank you for presenting your concerns in a reasonable and respectful manner. That’s all anyone can ask. I will keep them in mind. 🙂
augusta, I remember it well. Djoker is well known for insulting the crowd with obscene language. No other player I know of, shouts obscenities at the spectators.
I don’t think that would make him skip Madrid, especially as reclaiming the #1 ranking was on the table.
Well, I for one am not going to second-guess his fans. If they are saying he is skipping Madrid out of pique or to save himself for whatever tournament he holds dear, va bene.
At least they are consistent. Last year he saved himself for RG by tanking in Madrid and Rome, no, at least according to some of them?
Good luck Novak!
The theory about Novak tanking both Madrid and Rome was put forth by chr18 on TT at the time. He believed that Novak decided to tank those two tournaments to save himself for RG, especially since he beat Rafa in the final at MC. I told him that I thought that was beyond absurd.
I don’t remember what zare and danica had to say about it at the time. I only remember chr18 being dead serious about that theory. I wasn’t aware that other Novak fans were on board with it. I also remember chr18 getting some grief about it after Novak lost to Rafa in the semis at RG.
Here is one discussion on Djoko’s losses last year
http://www.tennistalk.com/en/previews/20130517/Djokovic_battles_Berdych_for_Rome_semis
^^Hahaha! Brings back sweet memories. Gosh, I was funny then, wonder where my sense of humour’s gone now? Most likely languishing in Monte Carlo trying to figure out how to avoid the Barcelona off-ramp………
And @rafaelo? Hope all is well with her in Iran. Used to chortle at her fright every time Djoko was scheduled to play Rafa. Now, that’s respect.
@augusta08, I think there was another thread where this “Djoko-tank” issue was discussed more exhaustively on TT. On reflection, maybe best not to fish it out, what with all the trolls on patrol at that time.
Thanks for the link, augusta. Nothing has changed, we are all still in character!
I recently had a spirited conversation with Ben Pronin on tennis-x blog where he categorically stated that he believed Novak tanked Rome 2013, essentially to keep himself fresh. Mr. Pronin is a self-professed Novak fan although I have told him I doubt this, more likely a Fedfan supporting Novak for obvious reasons.
I told Mr. Pronin that I did not believe Novak tanked because that would be saying he is a cheat. I may not root for the man but that does not mean I am ready to pin a cheat label on him without proof. So here I was, a non-Novak fan, defending Novak against, to my mind, a disparaging assertion by, a Novak fan! Irony.
I still cannot fathom, why, to a fan, tanking would be better (for them) than saying their fav is injured. I know I would be very upset if there was any suggestion that Rafa tanked a match, any match.
For what it’s worth, I do believe Novak is hurt, how serious, I don’t know. I was skeptical at MC, but I cannot believe he would pass up the opportunity to gain massive ranking points at Madrid if he could play, knowing how important the #1 ranking is to him.
I also do not believe the “boycott” theory because as @nadline pointed out, he would have boycotted the USOpen twice over if he was that thin-skinned!
Anyhoo, it’s all moot now: Novak will not be in Madrid. I for one hope he makes it to Rome, and Paris and meets Rafa along the way, and Rafa shows him who’s the clay-boss!
Vamos Rafa!
….to add: when Mr. Pronin, or anyone else for that matter, calls themselves a Novak fan, I should take them at their word, in spite of my worse angel whispering in my ear to tell him specifically, his nose demurs!
I mean, I do not have the written criteria defining who or what constitutes a Novak fan, or any player fan for that matter.
I admit my default mode is to be cynical about any comments by Novak regarding his injuries and health. In the early days his notorious MTOs and retirements made him the laughing stock of the tennis world. Post the famous spat with Roddick he cleaned up his act dramatically. So much so I commented some months later there was now the risk he would be so afraid of a ‘bad press’ he might not retire when he was legitimately injured and risk long term damage to himself.
The issues I have with the more recent back/ankle/wrist sagas are the over-dramatised scenes on court followed by the ‘it’s serious: it’s not serious’ running commentaries which IMO suggest spin-doctors at work.
I have already said I will be first in line to apologise if the wrist proves to be an on-going problem. Furthermore I want Rafa to have the chance on court to prove who is top dog.
I have no medical training whatsoever, but it occurred to me that Djoker could be suffering from repetitive stress injury which could be treated in a short period if treatment starts at the onset or could go on for a long time needing surgery. I suppose all tennis players are prone to this.
Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are “injuries to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression, or sustained or awkward positions”.