China Open

[brokenshoelace]

I actually agree that Djokovic tries too hard to be funny, but mostly, he IS funny when it comes to his antics. As far as sense of humor when it comes to communicating (press conferences, etc...), I'd say Roddick was pretty funny, and despite the fact that many give him enough credit, I think Murray is really funny in a subtle way.

 

[Riotbeard]

It is widely known how hard Djokovic tries to be funny (attempting to imitate people inaccurately). His try-hard reputation is deeply rooted. Actual comedic ability is best tested by the interviews (the player has the option of treating post-match interviews like stand-up comedy when he wants to), and that is why I'd give Agassi's humor about 8/10, Roddick 6/10, Djokovic I can't even remember him saying one funny thing 0/10. Also the funniest exhibition performance I've ever seen was Agassi's non-stop joking at the 2010 Hit For Haiti. Agassi has natural humor in all environments. Anyway let me be the first to comment on the China Open tennis tournament. I think we'll see some surprises. It is common to see players suddenly appear out-of-form just after the US Open. Often the player forced his way through the US Open despite being injured (Murray, is one we know for sure this year, as he is now in hospital). So you'll see those injuries becoming more of a factor than they were during the US Open. And sometimes the players who suffered early exits at Wimbledon and/or the US summer events are physically fresher and cash in during the post-US Open events. China Open will provide some of the first indications of which players are trending one way or the other. Not an easy tournament to predict.

All I heard here was a bunch of whining. First Federer never was important and his tennis is boring and now Novak isn't the least bit funny. Most of his impressions are spot on and you can tell he is probably the only 1 of the big 4 that doesn't take himself too seriously. I bet the sky is red and the world is flat too.

Darth you are a Fed plant. We all know novak's rafa impression is ridiculous and inaccurate. No player is so weird as to constantly pick his shorts out of his butt.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

As for Nadal, his matches with Kohlschreiber are always highly competitive and entertaining. I'm also curious about a potential QF with Haas. Tommy on his day can be a tough nut to crack on Indoors.

Nadal leads Haas 5-0. Haas has never won a set, and all 5 matches were on hardcourt. Haas is good indoors but Nadal has better indoor results (including reaching 2010 WTF final) than Haas, so it probably won't be any different to usual. Kohl hasn't beaten Nadal but always takes a set. Dimitrov and Isner have never beaten Nadal either, but both usually come close. So not a difficult draw for Nadal but if someone can upset Berdych, maybe Nadal will get a competitive semi (from Dimitrov or Isner).

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Wawrinka and Novak are playing doubles together. We get to see if it'll enhance their match up or Novak gets used to Stan and own his face from now on.

Wawrinka and Novak in doubles together? wow, interesting. Thats one thing I like about Djokovic, he is a fierce competitor on court but you get a feeling he doesnt feel insecure or threatened about other players. Probably thats why he is the most gracious in defeat among the big 4.

Well we know Nadal and Murray are keen friends, http://metro.co.uk/2009/12/01/andy-murrays-playstation-obsession-means-game-over-for-kim-sears-615697/ as they regularly make mention of playing each other on the ps3. Whereas I think Djokovic's approach gets in the way of him becoming friends with the elite-
http://zeenews.india.com/sports/tennis/us-open-2012/djokovic-says-he-cant-be-friends-with-murray-nadal-or-federer_748572.html

“I can’t be friends with Andy, though. I really like the guy — but how can you go and be best friends with a guy who you know you are going to be doing battle with? It is true for myself, Roger, Rafa and now Andy. We like each other and there is mutual respect but common sense tells you we can’t be best friends and hang out,” he said.

Djokovic added: “When we are all retired the four of us will go to a bar, drink too much beer and look back on all the great matches we’ve had. But, for now, we must keep a professional distance.”

“I see us being very good friends in the future but the reason I can’t be friends with him now is a compliment. It means I now see him as a very real threat for this Grand Slam and many to come,” he concluded.

 

[Moxie]

As for Nadal, his matches with Kohlschreiber are always highly competitive and entertaining. I'm also curious about a potential QF with Haas. Tommy on his day can be a tough nut to crack on Indoors.

Nadal leads Haas 5-0. Haas has never won a set, and all 5 matches were on hardcourt. Haas is good indoors but Nadal has better indoor results (including reaching 2010 WTF final) than Haas, so it probably won't be any different to usual. Kohl hasn't beaten Nadal but always takes a set. Dimitrov and Isner have never beaten Nadal either, but both usually come close. So not a difficult draw for Nadal but if someone can upset Berdych, maybe Nadal will get a competitive semi (from Dimitrov or Isner).

Berdych is not a problem for Nadal. Hasn't beaten him since 2006. H2H is 15-3. Should Davydenko upset Berdych, and play Rafa like the old days, I'd consider that much more of a challenge. And I agree with Didi, that Kohlscreiber always makes an entertaining match of it with Nadal, off clay.

Djokovic has the trickier first round in Rosol, most likely, to Nadal's qualifier, and then Wawrinka looms. Potentially slightly bumpier road for Novak.

 

[Iona16]

Wawrinka and Novak are playing doubles together. We get to see if it'll enhance their match up or Novak gets used to Stan and own his face from now on.

Wawrinka and Novak in doubles together? wow, interesting. Thats one thing I like about Djokovic, he is a fierce competitor on court but you get a feeling he doesnt feel insecure or threatened about other players. Probably thats why he is the most gracious in defeat among the big 4.

Well we know Nadal and Murray are keen friends, http://metro.co.uk/2009/12/01/andy-murrays-playstation-obsession-means-game-over-for-kim-sears-615697/ as they regularly make mention of playing each other on the ps3. Whereas I think Djokovic's approach gets in the way of him becoming friends with the elite-
http://zeenews.india.com/sports/tennis/us-open-2012/djokovic-says-he-cant-be-friends-with-murray-nadal-or-federer_748572.html

“I can’t be friends with Andy, though. I really like the guy — but how can you go and be best friends with a guy who you know you are going to be doing battle with? It is true for myself, Roger, Rafa and now Andy. We like each other and there is mutual respect but common sense tells you we can’t be best friends and hang out,” he said.

Djokovic added: “When we are all retired the four of us will go to a bar, drink too much beer and look back on all the great matches we’ve had. But, for now, we must keep a professional distance.”

“I see us being very good friends in the future but the reason I can’t be friends with him now is a compliment. It means I now see him as a very real threat for this Grand Slam and many to come,” he concluded.

I see nothing wrong or unusual in what Djokovic said.

Just before Wimbledon last year Novak visited Gleneagles which is about 20 mins from Dunblane. He said, “I was passing by, I was on the highway. I took a picture of the road sign of Dunblane and I sent Andy that photo. Andy replied, ‘What are you doing there?’, I said, ‘I was paying you a visit but you're not at home’,” Djokovic joked.

I think the above shows that they're as friendly as they can be when you consider they are rivals. I know Novak sent congrats to Andy after Wimbledon. So did Rafa. Andy sent Rafa congrats after the French and the US Open. I don't think we can ask for more.

 

[Moxie]

Wawrinka and Novak are playing doubles together. We get to see if it'll enhance their match up or Novak gets used to Stan and own his face from now on.

Wawrinka and Novak in doubles together? wow, interesting. Thats one thing I like about Djokovic, he is a fierce competitor on court but you get a feeling he doesnt feel insecure or threatened about other players. Probably thats why he is the most gracious in defeat among the big 4.

Well we know Nadal and Murray are keen friends, http://metro.co.uk/2009/12/01/andy-murrays-playstation-obsession-means-game-over-for-kim-sears-615697/ as they regularly make mention of playing each other on the ps3. Whereas I think Djokovic's approach gets in the way of him becoming friends with the elite-
http://zeenews.india.com/sports/tennis/us-open-2012/djokovic-says-he-cant-be-friends-with-murray-nadal-or-federer_748572.html

“I can’t be friends with Andy, though. I really like the guy — but how can you go and be best friends with a guy who you know you are going to be doing battle with? It is true for myself, Roger, Rafa and now Andy. We like each other and there is mutual respect but common sense tells you we can’t be best friends and hang out,” he said.

Djokovic added: “When we are all retired the four of us will go to a bar, drink too much beer and look back on all the great matches we’ve had. But, for now, we must keep a professional distance.”

“I see us being very good friends in the future but the reason I can’t be friends with him now is a compliment. It means I now see him as a very real threat for this Grand Slam and many to come,” he concluded.

I see nothing wrong or unusual in what Djokovic said.

Just before Wimbledon last year Novak visited Gleneagles which is about 20 mins from Dunblane. He said, “I was passing by, I was on the highway. I took a picture of the road sign of Dunblane and I sent Andy that photo. Andy replied, ‘What are you doing there?’, I said, ‘I was paying you a visit but you're not at home’,” Djokovic joked.

I think the above shows that they're as friendly as they can be when you consider they are rivals. I know Novak sent congrats to Andy after Wimbledon. So did Rafa. Andy sent Rafa congrats after the French and the US Open. I don't think we can ask for more.

I agree with you, Iona. I nearly replied same earlier. And some here complain they're TOO civilized towards one another. I think what Djokovic said was an interesting insight into the emotional space they draw around themselves in order to keep an edge against their fiercest rivals. I actually loved that he said that one day they'll all get together and drink too much and talk about it. When they're retired, they'll be the only 4 people that really understand what they've been through together.

 

[Iona16]

It was an interesting insight and as I said I see nothing wrong with what he said. It seems pretty natural to me. It would be nice to think that they'll get together once they've all retired and talk tennis. I wouldn't mind being the waitress for that little get together.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I never said Murray and Djokovic aren't civil/friendly to each other. I said they aren't "friends" and don't "hangout". Whereas Nadal and Murray are "friends", and actually do "hangout". But, its true not everyone can handle it.

 

[Moxie]

I never said Murray and Djokovic aren't civil/friendly to each other. I said they aren't "friends" and don't "hangout". Whereas Nadal and Murray are "friends", and actually do "hangout". But, its true not everyone can handle it.

While I do think Nadal and Murray are the closest thing to friends of the Big 4, but I don't think you can pretend to know that they don't feel what Djokovic described, to some extent. I don't think they actually "hangout."

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I never said Murray and Djokovic aren't civil/friendly to each other. I said they aren't "friends" and don't "hangout". Whereas Nadal and Murray are "friends", and actually do "hangout". But, its true not everyone can handle it.

While I do think Nadal and Murray are the closest thing to friends of the Big 4, but I don't think you can pretend to know that they don't feel what Djokovic described, to some extent. I don't think they actually "hangout."

Should you pretend to know that Nadal/Murray DO feel what Djokovic described? They are after all, nothing like each other personality-wise. Ask someone who knows them-
http://news.tennistonic.com/tennis-news?nid=1799

Janowicz: "Djokovic is fake, he shows off and acts. Federer is a guy who wants to be above everything. In this context there might be something unnatural of him, hard to feel he is one of us".
Janowicz likes Nadal "Because there is no fake, he behaves like in life".

I mean, did you ever think Nadal/Djokovic were similar personalities? Pretty obvious they aren't, whether you talk to them or not.

As for Nadal-Murray's hangouts-
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/07/rafael-nadal-and-andy-murray-are-bitter-rivals-on-playstation/

A bit of background — apparently when Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal are staying in the same hotel during tournaments, they often invite each other over to play FIFA or Pro Evo on their PlayStation 3s. Recently they had a match to settle the score once and for all, but there’s controversy over who was the winner in the end!

“Normally we play PlayStation outside the court when we are in the same hotels in the tournament,” said Nadal, in a post-match press conference.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Here is the gluten free draw :

Djokovic / Rosol
Verdasco / Q
Querrey / Youzhny
Seppi / Wawrinka

Ferrer / Pospisil
Benneteau / Matosevic
Tomic / Zhang
Mayer / Gasquet

----------------------------------

Isner / Wu Di
Q / Dimitrov
Davydenko / Q
Berdych / Andujar

Haas / Hewitt
Fognini / Robredo
Montanes / Kohlshreiber
Nadal / Q

oh looky at that, nadal v qualifier and djokovic v rosol..

should've been theother way round with nadal v rosol :snigger

some unfinished business from some green and pleasant land.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I wonder if Rosol will dodge Nadal forever so he can keep the 1-0 lead. Davydenko tends to lose when he's a round away from Nadal (Davydenko leads 6-5), not that a loss is strange these days for Davy. And Rosol doesn't really have a choice, he's just not good enough to win matches it seems (whether that be mentally or otherwise).

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

I wonder if Rosol will dodge Nadal forever so he can keep the 1-0 lead. Davydenko tends to lose when he's a round away from Nadal (Davydenko leads 6-5), not that a loss is strange these days for Davy. And Rosol doesn't really have a choice, he's just not good enough to win matches it seems (whether that be mentally or otherwise).

you go on ignore..so do everyone a favour and don't respond to my posts because a) i won't see them. and b) it will be less verbal clownery for other folk to read though.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

^ Everybody quotes my posts, so you'll see them (BTW I know you are reading this).

 

[Moxie]

Hewitt d. Haas in straights in the Battle of the Veterans. Dimitrov is out already...lost to Bautista Agut.

 

[DarthFed]

I never said Murray and Djokovic aren't civil/friendly to each other. I said they aren't "friends" and don't "hangout". Whereas Nadal and Murray are "friends", and actually do "hangout". But, its true not everyone can handle it.

While I do think Nadal and Murray are the closest thing to friends of the Big 4, but I don't think you can pretend to know that they don't feel what Djokovic described, to some extent. I don't think they actually "hangout."

No need to reply to this goof. It's been said many times that Murray and Djokovic basically grew up playing each other and are pretty good friends. Nadal and Murray playing video games in hotel rooms during tournaments isn't exactly "hanging out." No moreso than hitting sessions or going out to lunch when they are at the same tournament, which many players do.

 

[Riotbeard]

I never said Murray and Djokovic aren't civil/friendly to each other. I said they aren't "friends" and don't "hangout". Whereas Nadal and Murray are "friends", and actually do "hangout". But, its true not everyone can handle it.

While I do think Nadal and Murray are the closest thing to friends of the Big 4, but I don't think you can pretend to know that they don't feel what Djokovic described, to some extent. I don't think they actually "hangout."

No need to reply to this goof. It's been said many times that Murray and Djokovic basically grew up playing each other and are pretty good friends. Nadal and Murray playing video games in hotel rooms during tournaments isn't exactly "hanging out." No moreso than hitting sessions or going out to lunch when they are at the same tournament, which many players do.

Plus Andy is going to be Novak's best man right?

Evaluating these people current relationships is very difficult. Maybe Andy and Rafa can be friends and Novak and Andy can't, who knows. I do remember early on with lendl that he was telling Andy to stop palling around so much with his rivals.

I think the truth is none of these guys are truly "friends" for the time being, but they are all friendly. I think there is a bit more tension between Fed and Novak than between any of the others, but even they can make a good promo with each other in dubai.

 

[DarthFed]

I never said Murray and Djokovic aren't civil/friendly to each other. I said they aren't "friends" and don't "hangout". Whereas Nadal and Murray are "friends", and actually do "hangout". But, its true not everyone can handle it.

While I do think Nadal and Murray are the closest thing to friends of the Big 4, but I don't think you can pretend to know that they don't feel what Djokovic described, to some extent. I don't think they actually "hangout."

No need to reply to this goof. It's been said many times that Murray and Djokovic basically grew up playing each other and are pretty good friends. Nadal and Murray playing video games in hotel rooms during tournaments isn't exactly "hanging out." No moreso than hitting sessions or going out to lunch when they are at the same tournament, which many players do.

Plus Andy is going to be Novak's best man right?

Evaluating these people current relationships is very difficult. Maybe Andy and Rafa can be friends and Novak and Andy can't, who knows. I do remember early on with lendl that he was telling Andy to stop palling around so much with his rivals.

I think the truth is none of these guys are truly "friends" for the time being, but they are all friendly. I think there is a bit more tension between Fed and Novak than between any of the others, but even they can make a good promo with each other in dubai.

Exactly. We all saw how Rafa became a bit colder and colder after every loss in 2011 to Novak, before that it was all hugs and smiles but as soon as Djokovic became a threat you could see Rafa looked at him differently. It is perfectly understandable and I'm not criticizing Rafa for it. You would see the same happen if Murray starts beating him in the big events on a consistent basis. Similarly, we all know how nice Rafa is to Roger and you'd be foolish to think part of it isn't due to the fact that he has been an incredibly easy matchup the last 5 years. It'd be a much different story if Roger were still a threat to him.

Novak is the one great player I can remember in any sport where losing truly doesn't seem to bother him much. And as much as I respect him for it, I can't help but think he'd be a much better player if he carried a more cutthroat attitude.

 

[Moxie]

I never said Murray and Djokovic aren't civil/friendly to each other. I said they aren't "friends" and don't "hangout". Whereas Nadal and Murray are "friends", and actually do "hangout". But, its true not everyone can handle it.

While I do think Nadal and Murray are the closest thing to friends of the Big 4, but I don't think you can pretend to know that they don't feel what Djokovic described, to some extent. I don't think they actually "hangout."

No need to reply to this goof. It's been said many times that Murray and Djokovic basically grew up playing each other and are pretty good friends. Nadal and Murray playing video games in hotel rooms during tournaments isn't exactly "hanging out." No moreso than hitting sessions or going out to lunch when they are at the same tournament, which many players do.

Plus Andy is going to be Novak's best man right?

Evaluating these people current relationships is very difficult. Maybe Andy and Rafa can be friends and Novak and Andy can't, who knows. I do remember early on with lendl that he was telling Andy to stop palling around so much with his rivals.

I think the truth is none of these guys are truly "friends" for the time being, but they are all friendly. I think there is a bit more tension between Fed and Novak than between any of the others, but even they can make a good promo with each other in dubai.

Exactly. We all saw how Rafa became a bit colder and colder after every loss in 2011 to Novak, before that it was all hugs and smiles but as soon as Djokovic became a threat you could see Rafa looked at him differently. It is perfectly understandable and I'm not criticizing Rafa for it. You would see the same happen if Murray starts beating him in the big events on a consistent basis. Similarly, we all know how nice Rafa is to Roger and you'd be foolish to think part of it isn't due to the fact that he has been an incredibly easy matchup the last 5 years. It'd be a much different story if Roger were still a threat to him.

Novak is the one great player I can remember in any sport where losing truly doesn't seem to bother him much. And as much as I respect him for it, I can't help but think he'd be a much better player if he carried a more cutthroat attitude.

You're absolutely right that it seemed Rafa was getting colder and colder to Novak during that run of 7 losses to him. (I'm pretty sure that had never happened to him. There aren't many players who have even beaten him 7+ times total. Probably just Roger and Nole.) However, as you and RB say, I think they're all professionals and are fully prepared to do publicity and appearances together, etc. They're genial enough, as they're all nice guys, but in the end it's probably better to keep a bit of emotional distance.

I don't agree with you Darth that Djokovic isn't bothered by loss. While he gives a warm congratulatory hug at the net, you can see on his face what it means to him to lose. I like that he's very sportsman like at the net at the end of a match, unlike some, (for example, Kieran.:wave) but he might stop applauding other players' points during the match and stay more killer-focused. It's a nice gesture, and you see it on occasion from others, but no one does it as much as Djokovic. There's no reason to send too many hearts and flowers across the net during the match. Novak is an emotional player, as is often said, and is evident. He can get hard on himself, even before it's time, (which I thought he did in the USO final, for example.) No reason to be more generous to your opponent than you're willing to be towards yourself.