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Djokovic Gives Racquet To Boy After Winning French Open
34 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles
If you continued watching Roland Garros men’s final coverage minutes after Novak Djokovic conquered Stefanos Tsitsipas in five brutal sets, you saw one of the most beautiful moments in Grand Slam history.
After the handshake, victory celebration, gestures of gratitude to a stadium giving him a standing ovation, and then a roar to his box, Novak Djokovic suddenly did something that undoubtedly will change a life.
The newly crowned Roland Garros champion picked up the Head Speed racquet he just used to win his 19th Grand Slam and casually walked over behind his chair to give it to a young boy around ten years old who was in the front row.
The boy expectedly was shocked and awed by his hero’s generosity and kindness, that he could not contain his joy and euphoria. The boy holding his new surprise gift was in ecstacy, unable to control his happy emotions. It was a beautiful sight to see, and another mark of this super champion’s unique, special, inspiring greatness.
I can’t recall ever seeing another Grand Slam champion doing such a simple yet touching act of kindness in the moments after scoring such a hard-fought, monumental victory.
For all the mistakes and misbehaviors that Djokovic has made throughout his career, which the mainstream media always seem to rush to report and re-report again and again, this endearing moment will go a long way in altering the anti-Djokovic public and media segment’s negative perception and or mischaracterization of him.
The anti-Djokovic New York Times will surely not make a positive story of Djokovic giving his Head Speed racquet to the boy moments after one of the most important triumphs of his career, because it does not fit their agenda.
Sports memorabilia and collectibles experts say the value of the boy’s new Novak Djokovic Head Speed tennis racquet ranges anywhere from $10,000 to $75,000.
Head Speed Pro · Nole · Novak · Novak Djokovic · Roland Garros · Serbia
Frank P · June 15, 2021 at 8:13 am
NBC cut away from after match handshake at net. Something Iām always interested in seeing as it helps me form an opinion of a player being a good sport or not.
NBC cut away as Novak walked towards the boy.
NBC came back from commercial and showed boy dancing in joy but again didnāt show Novakās interaction with boy.
Why?
Mask Kabuki.
Frank P · June 15, 2021 at 8:26 am
Edit: it was the replay on Tennis Channel, not NBC broadcast.
Scoop Malinowski · June 15, 2021 at 9:06 am
Frank, I saw it live on NBC, they showed Djokovic giving the kid the racquet and the reaction. You are saying Tennis Channel edited out the Novak-kid interaction on their match replay hours later? If that is true and Tennis Channel intentionally edited that to not let the public see that it was Djokovic who gave the kid the racquet, has got to be one of the most despiable anti-Djokovic acts by the media yet. And it really shows how despicable the media is manipulating how people think instead of being fair, balanced and objective. Maybe Donald Trump was right and the media really is the enemy of the people.
Frank P · June 15, 2021 at 2:29 pm
Scoop. Tennis Channel did all the things I described but did make clear Novak had given racquet to young boy when they returned from commercial break. My point was that in three instances they did something that wasnāt normal after a tennis match. My take was that it was because of mask Kabuki. Not necessarily because of dislike for Novak. Canāt show unmasked individuals hugging at net. Canāt show unmasked tennis hero approaching young unmasked fan in stands.. Canāt show upon return from commercial Novak handing racquet āunsafelyā to lad. All three of these things are something that is normally broadcast tennis gold, especially at a grand slam. I wish I had recorded NBCās broadcast. How was Tsitsipasās reaction at net? His after match Tennis Chanel broadcast demeanor during ceremony was a bit churlish, imho.
Frank P · June 15, 2021 at 2:38 pm
Scoop, this may be a duplicate response. One I typed a few minutes ago possibly didnāt go through.
No, Tennis Cannel made clear racquet was from Novak. They just cut away from three things that are broadcasting gold, especially after grand slam. My take was it was due to mask Kabuki and not necessarily dislike for Novak.
Canāt show unmasked players hugging at net.
Canāt show unmasked tennis pro approaching unmasked fan in the stands.
Upon return from commercial canāt show unmasked hero handing racquet to unmasked lad.
Anyway, how was Tsitsipas at net? He seemed a bit churlish during ceremony.
Frank P · June 15, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Scoop, I think my responses are being censored. Hopefully not. Third one and last. Nice article. Novak is a great champion. For some reason he doesnāt get as much love as Roger and Rafa.
Scoop Malinowski · June 15, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Frank P, It’s possible TC tried to hide Djokovic giving the racquet. I messaged a former TC employee and he just confirmed there is a bias against Djokovic at TC. So using the mask baloney to hide this golden moment is a reach, it’s more likely anti Novak bias in effect. Tsitsipas reaction at net was somewhat cold and stoic but you knew he was devastated and heartbroken being so close with the two set lead and so close in the fifth. Djokovic was understandably stoic and respectful too. I sensed some competitive tension between the two, Djokovic knows Stefanos is a major threat and Stefanos can’t respect him too much because he intends to slay him. Interesting rivalry developing.
Scoop Malinowski · June 15, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Frank P, your responses are posting, thank you. Djokovic’s fan base is growing and growing over the years, despite the mainstream media having a clear agenda against him. I remember a woman telling me in Newport RI about six years ago she was really starting to like Djokovic after rejecting him initially. Don’t let the fake news agenda media fool you. Djokovic is a global icon too.
Frank P · June 15, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Maybe because he quit in 3 or 4 matches early in his career he got a bad label. I think Roddick even made mention of this back in the day.
I have been watching tennis for decades and I have never seen a star player give a racquet to a fan. Heās a good guy and will probably end up with most majors won when he retires. Cheers
Scoop Malinowski · June 15, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Frank P, also what annoyed a lot of the players and fans and media was how confident and ambitious Djokovic was from such a young age. He made it clear he wanted to dethrone the king, “Long live the king”, and people generally don’t like such cocky confidence. Also his parents did not behave well in the box, a friend at my club saw the Djokovic clan at US Open on the old grandstand and he said the way they behaved was disgusting, very rude. I like how the father proudly defended and protected Novak, always. But Djokovic has become a super champion and an improved person.
Frank P · June 16, 2021 at 7:40 am
Not sure if I can āgo thereā during this pc era but I remember the father of a pair of sisters giddily cavorting in the stands during matches. One of the sisters would later become a serial lines person, umpire curser. Their popularity never suffered, they never received bad press. The pair supposedly drove Henin into early retirement with their bad behavior. Anyway, enjoyed the back and forth. Book marked your site.
Frank P · June 16, 2021 at 7:51 am
I usually pull for Roger at Wimbledon but may have to switch to Novak after racquet giveaway and potential for a calendar year 4 grand slam winner being possible.
Frank P · June 16, 2021 at 8:15 am
Be careful responding to sisters post. I believe there was a Tennis Channel reporter from Australia who made the āmistakeā of comparing one sistersā style of play to an attacking counter insurgency group. I donāt believe heās ever worked for TC again.
Scoop Malinowski · June 16, 2021 at 8:43 am
Frank P, who could forget Kat Adams US Open trophy presentation after Serena vs Osaka final horror show, with Adama saluting Serena for being a such a great class wonderful champion sportswoman. Moments after Serena disgraced the US Open with the ugliest episode in grand slam history which reduced the new champion to tears after her dream come true victory moment. You’re right, the Williams are protected by the media, if Serena assaults an official on court, the media would find a way to defend her. Doug Adler had his career ruined over innocent harmless wordplay.
Scoop Malinowski · June 16, 2021 at 8:44 am
Frank P, thanks for checking out the site and contributing your always welcome comments. Cheers,
Sam · June 16, 2021 at 5:21 pm
“Maybe Donald Trump was right and the media really is the enemy of the people.”
Maybe??? š
Frank P · June 17, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Scoop, Iām going to date myself while I take one more swipe at the sistersā poor sportsmanship. My dislike for them isnāt because of skin color. I used to pull for Zina Garrison back in the day when I was a kid because she was an American and from my hometown. Pull for Madison and Sloan without fail. I remember Venus at a mid 90s US Open semifinal(?) prior to Serenaās emergence refusing to yield at change overs when players would pass each other while returning to seats. Finally, I think it was Zheverava had had enough and bumped her by not yielding this one time after she had slowed down to let Venus pass 4 other times. The outcry against her for doing this to the young Venus, the horror. Venus and family and press playing it up. That was the start of my dislike of them and I have never felt like I was a wrong a day since.
Finally, Serena is worth hundreds of millions, global icon. It would have taken 5 minutes of her time to make a statement that she understood Doug Adler didnāt mean anything bad when he said she played a guerrilla style tennis – not gorilla. Instead she was complicit in ruining this poor guyās career. 5 minutes.
Frank P · June 17, 2021 at 2:43 pm
This incredibly successful, rich global icon still has to pretend to be a victim. Insane.
Scoop Malinowski · June 17, 2021 at 2:57 pm
Frank P, that’s right the media totally sided with Venus against white girl Irina Spirlea who was cast as a terrible woman. That was one of the first examples of black privilege by the media, way back in the 90s. Spirlea did nothing more wrong than Venus in that episode, in fact it was Venus who wanted to bump into her on purpose yet the media vilified Spirlea. Yes Williams let poor Doug Adler to hang out and dry and if they had class and honor would have done the right thing, they definitely lost a lot of respect on that one. Again, the media supported Williams and vilified Adler.
Scoop Malinowski · June 17, 2021 at 2:59 pm
They want to win more gold medals at the victimhood olympics.
Frank P · June 18, 2021 at 12:37 pm
Such a pleasure to find someone who remembers that Venus US Open incident. While I donāt remember Venus wanting to bump opponent on purpose- could be wrong, I do remember the father saying he told his daughter not to yield at changeover. It was a planned head game strategy. Classless. And the press enabling that behavior going forward. Wouldnāt it have been nice if Tracy Austin at the time had said Venus is acting churlish? Maybe Henin would have won a few more French Opens.
Be back around Wimbledon time. Peace.
Frank P · June 18, 2021 at 12:51 pm
And then the nerve of playing the race card after the almost inevitable contact occurred. In the 90ās…. That family was ahead of their time.
Scoop Malinowski · June 18, 2021 at 12:57 pm
Frank P, I remember the bump vividly, Venus made no effort to avoid it, she knew Spirlea was coming and did the bump intentionally. Then the media protected and defended her. Spirlea pretty much disappeared after that, must have been traumatizing experience for her. She really did nothing wrong but the media demonized her. Can’t remember if BJK said anthing about that injustice.
Scoop Malinowski · June 18, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Richard Williams, called Spirlea “a white turkey.” Media let it go too. Imagine if Spirlea called Venus a black something. Media would have been in a frenzy. I have met and interviewed Richard Williams many times, always been super nice, friendly, no racial BS at all, in fact after a Biofile he gave me one of the greatest compliments of my career, he said the Biofile was the best interview he ever did.
Frank P · June 18, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Imagine how the landscape of Womenās tennis would have been different for the past 25 years if some honest commentator during the match or shortly after had called that player or family out for their reprehensible behavior.
Scoop Malinowski · June 18, 2021 at 1:42 pm
Agendas are in play.
Sam · June 18, 2021 at 1:48 pm
They want to win more gold medals at the victimhood olympics.
Well, Scoop, the great thing about the Victimhood Olympics is that it’s a unisex competition!!! š¤£
Scoop Malinowski · June 18, 2021 at 3:01 pm
Sam have they begun planning the transgender olympic games yet? )
Sam · June 18, 2021 at 4:21 pm
Scoop, you know that’s on the docket. š
Sam · June 18, 2021 at 8:54 pm
I have met and interviewed Richard Williams many times, always been super nice, friendly, no racial BS at all, in fact after a Biofile he gave me one of the greatest compliments of my career, he said the Biofile was the best interview he ever did.
Scoop, Richard Williams is obviously a chameleon. š¦
His oldest daughter, Sabrina, described in an interview last year how he totally abandoned his first wife and kids. Here’s an excerpt:
Sabrina claims her father was a serial cheater whom she believes has several children scattered across the country, telling The Sun, āI know thereās more siblings, I was told between fifteen and nineteen all over the place, from LA to Louisiana.ā
āMy mom always argued with my dad about his affairs, he was a serial cheat. I remember that was always the main thing theyād talk about. He is a selfish man, lives only for himself, he just uses his kids to get what he needs,ā she added. āHeās not a dad, he was just a sperm donor.ā . . .
When Sabrina was eight, she claims Richard abandoned the family after telling her he was going to the store to buy her a bicycle.
āMy mom told me later that heās never coming back. We went from having everything to nothing. The best dresses, parties, weād go places. Now there was no new shoes or clothes. I thought I was dadās favorite and he loved me to death.ā
Scoop Malinowski · June 19, 2021 at 9:22 am
Sam, I wouldn’t doubt that Richard Williams has some street hustle in him, he can bulljive with the best of em. But I always felt he respected me and my work. After we did the Biofile I asked a friend to take a photo of us together and he remarked that I was the one who should be the focus of the photo or something like that. We had a good connection, I felt he really meant it when he said Biofile was the best interview he ever did. And he always gave me nice insights for my Facing books when I was able to catch up with him at a tournament. I think he’s a good guy to acquaintances even if he will never be elected Father of the Year.
Sam · June 19, 2021 at 2:07 pm
Scoop, that’s the way abusers are–they have two faces. šŗ
Don’t you think Obama can be charming to people too? If Obama paid you a compliment, would it really be worth anything? š¤
I’m glad that you had a good experience with Richard, but it means nothing concerning his characterāhe’s a complete monster. š¹
Oh, here’s one more telling (and sad) quote from that article with Sabrina:
āIn my teens, I was always thinking about suicide,ā Sabrina admitted. āI tried it once, it was always with me, and it was about my dad, I had mental health issues. Somehow, I got hold of my dad through a relative and asked for $1,000 to pay some of the college bill at Hope Christian University. He said heād only give me the money as a loan. Thatās when I knew he was an aāhole.ā
Scoop Malinowski · June 20, 2021 at 8:16 am
He’s got a checkered past that’s for sure.
Sam · June 23, 2021 at 5:27 pm
I’m glad at least that he offered some helpful insights for your Facing . . . books, as well as some gratifying compliments for you, so maybe he is actually good for something after all. š
Last I heard, he’d had some strokes and was struggling with dementia, so I don’t know who’s taking care of him.
His daughter Sabrina sounds very interesting, thoughāintelligent, tough, well-spoken. She’s a chaplain now too. So good for her for being able to overcome such a horrific upbringing. š