China Open

[Moxie]

^ Is it really necessary to try so hard to make a case for Novak as a "baddie?" It's classic overly fannish behavior. Most people reckoned our man Nadal was a pretty good guy until he started winning too much and beating up too hard on Roger, and then he became a "whiner" and a "cheat." You don't like Djokovic because he bashed Rafa around for a year, and is still his biggest threat. By all accounts, all the Big 4 are decent guys.

And you're replying to Riotbeard, who is a Djokovic fan. What do you think is going to happen, you're going to change his allegiance? We like the players we like for the reasons we do, and don't like others, also for our own reasons. It seems a bit insulting to go on a conversion campaign. We've read this stuff, and partly because you've posted it before. You've said your piece on it, now I hope you'll give it a rest.

 

[Iona16]

I heard he kicked a puppy once and by all accounts he doesn't help old ladies across the road either.

 

[DarthFed]

Yes the proof that Djokovic is a jerk is that he won't play video games with Nadal or Murray. That pretty much sums it up!

And Moxie, I couldn't stand Rafa since day 1...the game, the antics, the uncle, etc.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

^ Is it really necessary to try so hard to make a case for Novak as a "baddie?" It's classic overly fannish behavior. Most people reckoned our man Nadal was a pretty good guy until he started winning too much and beating up too hard on Roger, and then he became a "whiner" and a "cheat." You don't like Djokovic because he bashed Rafa around for a year, and is still his biggest threat. By all accounts, all the Big 4 are decent guys.

And you're replying to Riotbeard, who is a Djokovic fan. What do you think is going to happen, you're going to change his allegiance? We like the players we like for the reasons we do, and don't like others, also for our own reasons. It seems a bit insulting to go on a conversion campaign. We've read this stuff, and partly because you've posted it before. You've said your piece on it, now I hope you'll give it a rest.

But Djokovic only beat Nadal for 8 months. Why would I have a problem with that? And I'm on cloud 9 when it comes to this rivalry, as Nadal leads their head2head 22-15, including 8-3 at the slams. I just find the big 4 interesting, and of course the more controversial statements they make are the most interesting. I post more about Federer than Djokovic anyway. Your "conversion campaign" comment makes no sense, because the fact is I prefer it that others are Djokovic/Federer fans, rather than Nadal fans - it is boring to talk to a Nadal fan because I already know what its like to be a Nadal fan. And I'm only replying to a post, by providing great insight into the player in question. What others conclude from the insight (and quotes of other players) makes no difference to me. And I never said Djokvoic was bad.

I said maybe he would play better if he took a more relaxed and social attitude toward his rivals. Maybe someone from the Djokovic camp is reading this and will pass on the advice. Even a very young Hingis, back in 1997 midway through Wimbledon stated "I'm always good for any advice others give me" - and that was in response to the media making a big deal of her wearing extremely small underwear, and she wore longer underwear in all her Wimbledon matches after that. Anyway, probably not allowed to discuss these player personality issues, in the China Open thread, even though the final will probably be Nadal vs Djokovic, with any luck.

 

[Moxie]

Yes the proof that Djokovic is a jerk is that he won't play video games with Nadal or Murray. That pretty much sums it up!

And Moxie, I couldn't stand Rafa since day 1...the game, the antics, the uncle, etc.

I believe you never liked the game. But the "antics" and the uncle...really? Before 2008? I'm surprised if there was anything to specifically dislike.

 

[DarthFed]

Yes the proof that Djokovic is a jerk is that he won't play video games with Nadal or Murray. That pretty much sums it up!

And Moxie, I couldn't stand Rafa since day 1...the game, the antics, the uncle, etc.

I believe you never liked the game. But the "antics" and the uncle...really? Before 2008? I'm surprised if there was anything to specifically dislike.

He started with the fake injury timeouts, illegal coaching, etc. long before Wimbledon 2008. The whining about the schedule, his knees, and the constant excuses actually came later on.

 

[Moxie]

Yes the proof that Djokovic is a jerk is that he won't play video games with Nadal or Murray. That pretty much sums it up!

And Moxie, I couldn't stand Rafa since day 1...the game, the antics, the uncle, etc.

I believe you never liked the game. But the "antics" and the uncle...really? Before 2008? I'm surprised if there was anything to specifically dislike.

He started with the fake injury timeouts, illegal coaching, etc. long before Wimbledon 2008. The whining about the schedule, his knees, and the constant excuses actually came later on.

Not to get into a question over "fake," but what injury TOs are you even remembering? I've got blisters v. Ferrero in Rome in 2008. And I don't remember hearing about coaching before 2009 or later. It's OK you don't like the guy, but you can't revise history. I don't remember any of those knocks coming against him before around 08-09, earliest. Feel free to remind me.

 

[DarthFed]

Yes the proof that Djokovic is a jerk is that he won't play video games with Nadal or Murray. That pretty much sums it up!

And Moxie, I couldn't stand Rafa since day 1...the game, the antics, the uncle, etc.

I believe you never liked the game. But the "antics" and the uncle...really? Before 2008? I'm surprised if there was anything to specifically dislike.

He started with the fake injury timeouts, illegal coaching, etc. long before Wimbledon 2008. The whining about the schedule, his knees, and the constant excuses actually came later on.

Not to get into a question over "fake," but what injury TOs are you even remembering? I've got blisters v. Ferrero in Rome in 2008. And I don't remember hearing about coaching before 2009 or later. It's OK you don't like the guy, but you can't revise history. I don't remember any of those knocks coming against him before around 08-09, earliest. Feel free to remind me.

2006 Monte Carlo, 2008 Hamburg were matches where Rafa took MTO's out of nowhere, the former right after dropping a set and the latter came at 5-1 when he was getting his ass kicked. He showed no sign of injury before or after as he won both matches following the "unintentional" break of momentum.

And the coaching was constant since the get go. Everyone knows it but it's one of those things that is very rarely called now (and there is a lot of players getting on-court coaching).

 

[Moxie]

^ Is it really necessary to try so hard to make a case for Novak as a "baddie?" It's classic overly fannish behavior. Most people reckoned our man Nadal was a pretty good guy until he started winning too much and beating up too hard on Roger, and then he became a "whiner" and a "cheat." You don't like Djokovic because he bashed Rafa around for a year, and is still his biggest threat. By all accounts, all the Big 4 are decent guys.

And you're replying to Riotbeard, who is a Djokovic fan. What do you think is going to happen, you're going to change his allegiance? We like the players we like for the reasons we do, and don't like others, also for our own reasons. It seems a bit insulting to go on a conversion campaign. We've read this stuff, and partly because you've posted it before. You've said your piece on it, now I hope you'll give it a rest.

But Djokovic only beat Nadal for 8 months. Why would I have a problem with that? And I'm on cloud 9 when it comes to this rivalry, as Nadal leads their head2head 22-15, including 8-3 at the slams. I just find the big 4 interesting, and of course the more controversial statements they make are the most interesting. I post more about Federer than Djokovic anyway. Your "conversion campaign" comment makes no sense, because the fact is I prefer it that others are Djokovic/Federer fans, rather than Nadal fans - it is boring to talk to a Nadal fan because I already know what its like to be a Nadal fan. And I'm only replying to a post, by providing great insight into the player in question. What others conclude from the insight (and quotes of other players) makes no difference to me. And I never said Djokvoic was bad.

I said maybe he would play better if he took a more relaxed and social attitude toward his rivals. Maybe someone from the Djokovic camp is reading this and will pass on the advice. Even a very young Hingis, back in 1997 midway through Wimbledon stated "I'm always good for any advice others give me" - and that was in response to the media making a big deal of her wearing extremely small underwear, and she wore longer underwear in all her Wimbledon matches after that. Anyway, probably not allowed to discuss these player personality issues, in the China Open thread, even though the final will probably be Nadal vs Djokovic, with any luck.

No, you made a case, with examples, that Djokovic is the most "cutthroat" (your word) of the Big 4, in a response to a Nole fan. It seems poor form, and a bit squiggly, to pretend, now, that you intention was purely informational.

And I don't think the Djokovic camp will be reading your 'helpful hints,' btw.

 

[Moxie]

Yes the proof that Djokovic is a jerk is that he won't play video games with Nadal or Murray. That pretty much sums it up!

And Moxie, I couldn't stand Rafa since day 1...the game, the antics, the uncle, etc.

I believe you never liked the game. But the "antics" and the uncle...really? Before 2008? I'm surprised if there was anything to specifically dislike.

He started with the fake injury timeouts, illegal coaching, etc. long before Wimbledon 2008. The whining about the schedule, his knees, and the constant excuses actually came later on.

Not to get into a question over "fake," but what injury TOs are you even remembering? I've got blisters v. Ferrero in Rome in 2008. And I don't remember hearing about coaching before 2009 or later. It's OK you don't like the guy, but you can't revise history. I don't remember any of those knocks coming against him before around 08-09, earliest. Feel free to remind me.

2006 Monte Carlo, 2008 Hamburg were matches where Rafa took MTO's out of nowhere, the former right after dropping a set and the latter came at 5-1 when he was getting his ass kicked. He showed no sign of injury before or after as he won both matches following the "unintentional" break of momentum.

And the coaching was constant since the get go. Everyone knows it but it's one of those things that is very rarely called now (and there is a lot of players getting on-court coaching).

Well, alright then. I won't look them up or debate them, but I'll put you in the category of "never liked Nadal, and didn't start inventing excuses to dislike him just because he was beating my guy."

 

[NADAL2005RG]

No, you made a case, with examples, that Djokovic is the most "cutthroat" (your word) of the Big 4, in a response to a Nole fan. It seems poor form, and a bit squiggly, to pretend, now, that you intention was purely informational.

And I don't think the Djokovic camp will be reading your 'helpful hints,' btw.

Actually, I was replying to Riotbeard's post, and cutthroat was his word- "He doesn't have to win everything for me to be his fan (not trying to imply that Fed and Rafa fans only like them for their wins and cutthroat attitude)."

 

[brokenshoelace]

And I'm only replying to a post, by providing great insight

That is highly debatable.

 

[isabelle]

The Fog bagelled LLeyton....don't what happened but maybe the Australian should do like Nalby ???

 

[DarthFed]

I believe you never liked the game. But the "antics" and the uncle...really? Before 2008? I'm surprised if there was anything to specifically dislike.

He started with the fake injury timeouts, illegal coaching, etc. long before Wimbledon 2008. The whining about the schedule, his knees, and the constant excuses actually came later on.

Not to get into a question over "fake," but what injury TOs are you even remembering? I've got blisters v. Ferrero in Rome in 2008. And I don't remember hearing about coaching before 2009 or later. It's OK you don't like the guy, but you can't revise history. I don't remember any of those knocks coming against him before around 08-09, earliest. Feel free to remind me.

2006 Monte Carlo, 2008 Hamburg were matches where Rafa took MTO's out of nowhere, the former right after dropping a set and the latter came at 5-1 when he was getting his ass kicked. He showed no sign of injury before or after as he won both matches following the "unintentional" break of momentum.

And the coaching was constant since the get go. Everyone knows it but it's one of those things that is very rarely called now (and there is a lot of players getting on-court coaching).

Well, alright then. I won't look them up or debate them, but I'll put you in the category of "never liked Nadal, and didn't start inventing excuses to dislike him just because he was beating my guy."

You give me too little credit Moxie. I'm not petty enough to only dislike a player for beating Roger. There'd be a whole hell of a lot of players I'd hate the last few years, no? As a lesser example of players who are now beating Roger more often than not, I like Berdych and Djokovic.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Nadal breaks Kholi to take the first set 6-4. Just caught the last game and both looked good.

 

[Kieran]

Yeah, it's a good match. Rafa got a time violation warning in the 9th game, then he hissed a slow ballboy and snitched about the kid to the umpire at the change over. Room service then arrived with fresh towels and Rafa sent them packing while he sat-navved his water bottles into facing the right way.

He's fired up and it's enjoyable to see!

 

[Kieran]

Another warning down the same end and Rafa is furious with the ballboys. "They're slow and I'm tryna go fast. Doesn't matter!" Ordered some fresh water from room service and barked at the kid who handed him one, then he lifted the lid off the fridge and pointed at another bottle: "red one, red one!"

He's fired up, but shouldn't be blaming the kids! He gets these warnings elsewhere too, and it's him who's at fault. He has two now, I think, and I wonder what the next one will mean. Forfeit the point?

 

[Moxie]

I find any link to see the match, but I'm enjoying Kieran's commentary.

 

[Kieran]

Try Fromsport.com, sista. Very entertaining match, Kohl typically honest in his effort.

There's been no more room service calls and Rafa has seemed less angry for a while. he's playing fine, too, though makes silly impatient errors. But I think he looks fine...

 

[Kieran]

The Clipper has given Rafa the mini break. A yoga-stretching Kohl retrieved the down the line forehand, and then Rafa ran around the debris and Hoovered it up...

EDIT: And there's the Clipper again: the infallible forehand down the line - 5-2 for Rafa...