2
Nadal was clearly not a fan of Djokovic’s imitations (quote)
18 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Researching my “Facing Hewitt” book (due in Jan.) I stumbled across this quote asking Rafa Nadal about Novak Djokovic’s imitations, at Montreal Masters in 2008…
Q. Don’t you think that since Yannick Noah left and since Djokovic earlier said that he finished with mimicking everyone on the court, that some entertaining is just get out of the tennis, of the game? It’s just became just finish the job, no more entertaining?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think this is not a show, no? I think this is a sport. Everyone can do what they want. My opinion, the show or the star is the tennis. It’s not the imitation of no one.
So I think if the people wants to watch tennis, it’s because the tennis is world sport and they want to watch the tennis, no, the matches, not the imitation.
A lot of the old schoolers like Nadal and even Roy Emerson and Pete Sampras were not fans of the Djokovic imitations. But I disagree. Anything that can bring fun and laughs to tennis, is a good thing.
Credit to Djokovic for trying to express his creative outlets via the imitations. People complain about the lack of originality and creativity of modern baseline styles, but at least Djokovic tried to do it his way and he tried to be himself.
Rafa did not enjoy Djokovic's showmanship
gans · October 2, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Scoop, I couldn’t agree more. I totally respect for what Djokovic brings to the table. His personality is so much more livelier than Nadal, Murray or even Federer.
I have always felt that it is extremely difficult to see humor in what one does and still be very good at it. Meaning striking the balance. Also being funny is a very fine line. Depends on what kind of humor- if it comes at the cost of someone then in the end we end up ‘paying’ for it!
Djokovic is naturally a real fun person to be around and an entertainer. I like him as a champion more than a Federer or Nadal. It’s quite interesting that the American audience in general has never embraced him. May be because most people are such big fans of Federer and Nadal and they can’t accept the fact that at times Nole can beat them both quite convincingly. Or maybe because he appeared a little cocky when he arrived.
Djokovic is remarkably good at many things- dancing and doing impressions aren’t easy at all. I think over the years, Nole understood that it is difficult to maintain that balance between being an entertainer vs. staying focused. Consequence- he dropped the humor all together! Sad actually. It was refreshing to see him dance at Montreal after each round.
Maintain equanimity and poise after losing a hard-fought 5 setter in a slam final is the most difficult thing to master. Even in that area, Djokovic stands tall. Nadal is second and Murray is good. Federer probably is a little worse.
This is an interesting topic. Thanks for the post.
Cheers,
Gans
Tom Michael · October 3, 2013 at 7:11 am
Based on the quote above, I don’t get the impression that Nadal was totally bothered by Djokovic’s imitations. He basically is saying that the focus should be on the sport and not on being a mimicker; the sport is the entertainment not the imitations.
I had a few issues with the imitations. First, they weren’t even that good. He should study Jonas Bjorkman, who did some beautiful ones. And my second issue was the one on Sharapova. Many people may not really notice this, but her game is not that feminine in look or style. Yeah! She is a tall, and very pretty young lady. But that doesn’t mean her game has a look of femininity. Even her demeanor, i.e. her gait and verbal mannerisms, is not that feminine; Venus Williams has more of a lady-like demeanor than Maria but people barely notice because she is not as pretty according to popular opinion. So how does all this relate to Novak Djokovic. He made Sharapova look more feminine than she is by bringing in his scarily innate femininity to his imitations. So thank God that he proposed to Jelena Gencic recently. It helps remind tennis fans that he is still a man.
And about his dancing. He is not good at that either. He can stand to take a few lessons. This is spoken from someone who has benefited from doing so.
By the way, I think American audiences as well as the rest of the word, embrace Novak Djokovic. They certainly did at the start of his career, and continue to do so. He just is not going to get the crowd support over the home-town favorite ever. And Federer is Federer; no one gets it over him. He is just too charming. When he plays Nadal, the crowd is neutral. But the one who plays the most awe-inspiring points on the day, and ends up winning the most pivotal one, is the one who the crowd chooses. Case in point the recent US Open final. Though that did not apply to the Roland Garros semifinal this year. The crowds were definitely pro-Djokovic. The French and the Spaniards just have a history.
Dan Markowitz · October 3, 2013 at 8:33 am
“Scarily innate” feminine qualities, Tom? What’s wrong with having some innate feminine qualities? Maybe Novak being so in touch with his feminine side has allowed him to be more disciplined and emotional. I don’t think he had to propose to Jelena Ristic (watch it there, Gencic, was his old deceased coach. I don’t think he proposed to her), to prove he was a man. This kind of manly homophobic writing is nonsense, like every man has to act like he’s Nadal or some he-man.
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2013 at 9:31 am
I think all the top players were annoyed by Djokovic doing those imitations because he was making fun of them all in a clever way. He was also stealing the spotlight from them and their tennis. I saw the one video in the locker room of the US Open of Djokovic doing it and he must have been making fun of them a lot all over the place. Those imitations weren’t Bjorkman quality but they were still hilarious. Bjorkman never did his on a full stadium court at a major as far as I know. I could see how guys like Roddick and Fed and Nadal got angry with it. When people imitate you it’s funny and in a way insulting. Of course Sharpaova loved it, he did her to make her feel good. BTW when have we ever seen Sharapova smile and laugh so much on the court (other than winning a major) aside from watching Djokovic do imiations? Djokovic injected a new dynamic and energy to tennis. But the traditionalists overthrew it. Those dances in Montreal were very good, they reminded of the Ali Shuffle, a little showboating dancing that kind of rubs it in on the opponent. I hope his creative personality continues to manifest new outlets.
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2013 at 9:33 am
Well said Gans as always. Thanks for commenting. We see the sport similarly. If Djokovic can get a stranglehold on number one next year I wonder if he’ll pull out that dance routine with the wig for Center Court Wimbledon or Roland Garros lol.
BoDu · October 3, 2013 at 10:32 am
Nielsen Sports is a company that measures an athlete’s endorsement potential in America based on awareness and appeal. When the company tested Djokovic in July 2011 he had the highest appeal level of any tennis player http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/sports/tennis/next-makeover-for-djokovic-a-new-no-1-is-in-marketing.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&
Mitch · October 3, 2013 at 11:17 am
I can sympathize with the other players. Djokovic was doing these impressions during the period when he was frequently claiming multiple illnesses and retiring from matches. Remember how annoyed he got at Roddick for the comment he made at the US Open? So it was a bit hypocritical and disrespectful for him to be mocking these other players, who were much more professional (at the time) than him.
Dan Markowitz · October 3, 2013 at 11:35 am
What’s worse, Djoko paying homage of sorts to these top players by doing imitations of them or Gulbis just downright slamming them saying they’re boring? I wonder when Gulbis becomes No. 1 if he’ll go easier on the top guns like Djoko has. Djoko’s a bit of blowhard now, in my eyes, how he always uses the term, “our sport.”
Let me ask all of you a question out there. If you were to read a book about a player’s insight and battles on the tour, who’s book would be your No. 1 pick: Gulbis, Tommy Haas or Jo-Willy Tsonga?
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Mitch, and Roddick had to be restrained in the locker room after that match when Djokovic came in. I was told Roddick verbally abused Djokovic to the point of tears. yes tears rolling down his cheeks. Roddick was enraged. This is just part of the story I got from a source who sitnessed the near brawl. As you know, Djokovic’s career went into a tailspin after that, after being physically humiliated by Roddick, for over a year.
Harold · October 3, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Djokovich will always be the guy, who after retiring at the French down 2 sets to Nadal, said he was dominating the match.
Will also never forgive him for making me sit through that BS injury timeout against Monfils at the US Open.
Great, great player, just not someone I root for
Dan, JMac is the king of using the phrase “our sport”
Mitch · October 3, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Coincidentally enough, Roddick brought up that confrontation on the Fox show he does, and it made the news today:
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/10/novak-djokovic-andy-roddick-fight/
Tom Michael · October 3, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Manly homophobic writing. That was not the intention. So I am sorry if it came out like that. I was calling into play Djokovic’s effeminate behavior in his imitation of Sharapova.
Sorry about the confusion regards to the Jelenas in Novak’s life. Congrats to Jelena Ristic and Novak Djokovic to a happy engagement.
Mitch · October 3, 2013 at 7:18 pm
I wonder which non-Serbian players will be invited to the wedding.
Dan Markowitz · October 3, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Confusion accepted. I just think that while Djokovic might have effeminate mannerisms–as does Fed–it doesn’t make him any less of a man. Obviously, these two are great athletes and admirable people. I think the diversity in tennis is something lacking in today’s game compared to yesteryear when there seemed to be more characters and players should be encouraged to express their many emotions and sides out there even if the main objective is to display stellar tennis and be great competitors. I think there’s a place for levity, lightness and even goofiness in the game.
And, btw Mitch, I’ve already received a wedding invite from Novak.
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Yes I saw this Mitch and Roddick’s version was a lot more G rated than what I was told by an eyewitness. Threats were made and tears were shed. Roddick tried to sugarcoat it. One thing that came across clear though is Roddick still has a disdain for Djokovic, referring to him as Schmovak Schmokovic. If you remember, Roddick would have played Djokovic at US Open last year if he beat Delpo. I think he subconsciously tanked to Delpo so as to not have to retire on a beatdown from Djokovic, who would have surely enjoyed and savored sending his nemisis packing from the game once and for all.
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2013 at 9:02 pm
What in the heck is anyone talking about saying Djokovic has effeminate mannerisms? Total nonsense. Though it did seem when he imitated Roddick he did it with some effeminateness – on purpose. It was pretty funny. I could see why Roddick was so enraged. Another thing people forget was the tiebreak they played on Ashe Kids Day before the 08 US Open. It was supposed to be for fun with the earphones on and ARod hit a dropper and Djok smiled and came up and played it soft and then Roddick astonishingly belted a huge forehand right at Djokovic. Shocking display of rage in a fun situation. Djokovic said with a mean, “SO that’s how you want to play Andy?” Djokovic then won the tiebreak which became very serious. Roddick acted like he didn’t care. But you knew there was a lot of bad blood there.
Bryan · October 6, 2013 at 1:22 pm
I liked Djoker’s imitations, it was funny and part of why he was given that nickname. Nowadays many American casual fans think the game is dull compared to past generations. IMO this is because:
1. American players get stomped and 2. Cult of personality is gone.
Seems everyone decided to be diplomatic and non-controversial so they can get the blue chip endorsements. This is why Janovich and Gulbis are two of my faves. We need more characters.
Bryan · October 6, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Janowicz, I’ve been up since 5:30am watching English football. LOL.