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Is Djokovic Ready To Unleash His Crazy?
16 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles
Last year’s Roland Garros final was a dud. Rafael Nadal came out grunting and snarling right from the outset of the match, playing the first points like not only championship point but as if his LIFE was at stake, while Novak Djokovic commenced the duel too calm, composed and like a boxer carefully trying to feel his way into the bout. Rafa set the tone and we all know what happened, the matador got gored viciously by the raging bull in a brutal, humiliating mismatch.
But we know if Djokovic came out in the first games with a much more intense and desperate mindset like his rival, like we know is more than capable of, the match would have been different and more illustrative of their 29-28 head to head rivalry (advantage Djokovic).
So it’s vitally important Djokovic not only equals Rafa’s intensity, passion and fury tomorrow from the get go but maybe even overwhelm it. There were signs yesterday in Djokovic’s win vs Berrettini that Djokovic is about to unleash his all-time primal, crazed, psycho, most vicious, ruthless, “unhealthy ambition” mode vs. Rafa.
Djokovic struggled to finish off Berrettini and suffered through a difficult fourth set before finally erupting in “an explosion of emotions” as Jim Courier termed it. Djokovic roared at his box and even seemed to almost throw his racquet at them, apparently displeased by their lack of sufficient vocal support and too stoic body language.
The stunning display succeeded because Djokovic finally finished off Berrettini, to set up the 58th showdown with Nadal for a spot in the 2021 Roland Garros final.
I always remember a quote by IMG coach Chip Brooks about Marcelo Rios: “When someone can play such extraordinary incredible tennis, you just can’t expect them to be normal…”
Rios was crazy. And most people don’t know Roger Federer is crazy too. Michael Llodra told me how crazy Federer was in his junior days and that he’s successfully disguised it as a professional. “He has all you guys fooled.”
All genius has a touch of madness…
So superhuman tennis from the greatest champions of all time requires some elements of craziness to be generated and produced. And we all know Djokovic is at his best when his emotional level on court is borderline crazy, as it was yesterday at the finale.
Djokovic has absolutely no chance to beat Nadal if he plays passive, quiet, peaceful tennis like he did in last year’s final and the Rome final this year.
To beat the all time king of clay, Djokovic will have to summon all of his mad genius inclinations, propensities, instincts and freely express them on the court tomorrow. He cannot suppress his ultimate nature and oppress himself from playing his greatest tennis, otherwise it will be another heartbreaking defeat to Nadal.
Djokovic’s ultimate emotion level is rarely expressed on the court, it’s as if it’s carefully guarded and saved for certain, special, grand occasions. It’s like a secret weapon, a nuclear strike that can only be used when it’s absolutely necessary.
Well, it’s never been more necessary than right now.
ATP · Head Speed Pro · Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Roland Garros · Serbia
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2021 at 9:28 am
A former WTA player in the 80s Bettina Bunge who loved Djokovic told me she saw him practice at Miami Open the day before the 2014 final, when he was to play Rafa and Djokovic was so angry during that practice that he was screaming and abusing his team, Becker, Vajda, etc. It showed how much stress and tension he was feeling a day ahead of the final vs Rafa, how much work he knew he needed to beat Rafa, how much perfection he needed to perform. Well the rage worked as Djokovic won that final 63 63 but he lost a fan in that former WTA player, she was so disgusted by what she saw. But that’s the price these great champions have to pay to keep being great and keep beating the other great champions. There is a price for everything.
El tenista del filipinas · June 10, 2021 at 9:53 am
The the bull come a year old in the dirt and will have more wisdom and knowledge about how he will attack his matador with his horn. This dirt is his playground the matador is an intruder worthy to be locked and displayed in a lifeless form full of blood and humiliation. This is a territorial home no one is allowed to be the king of the dirt except the bill just like the king of the jungle his majesty the lion. Two royals which has its own territorial world. You might become crazy for a while but the bull will take you in a more vicious kind of anger.
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2021 at 9:55 am
El tenista del filipinas that is some wonderful tennis prose thank you )
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2021 at 9:56 am
It comes down to WHO wants it more. Djokovic is expressing and showing that he wants it more now.
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2021 at 10:42 am
This article talks about the value and importance of “emotional adrenaline”
and a hall of fame boxing trainer said it increases and improves athletic performance. https://www.tennis-prose.com/bios/what-if-lleyton-hewitt-never-yelled-come-on/
Sam · June 10, 2021 at 2:09 pm
Back in the ’80s, we had: “WHEEEEEERE’S the beef?” 🥩
Now, when Djokovic is playing an important match, we have: “WHEEEEEERE’S the beast?” 🐺
🤣
Sam · June 10, 2021 at 2:23 pm
Didn’t know about Bettina Bunge. 🙂
I think the key for Djokovic is finding the right *balance*. He wants to channel his beast mode, while still staying focused and self-controlled. After all, we don’t want a repeat of what happened in New York City last year.
Someone wrote that Djokovic often thanks God after his matches. So, I wonder if he’s asked God for help in tomorrow’s match? Well, he will if he’s smart. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Sam that would be a very good media question, to ask Djokovic if he asks the Lord for help in his matches. maybe ben rothenberg will ask it.
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Where’s the beef?! That was a Wendy’s tv commercial I believe. That lil old lady was fantastic.
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2021 at 7:40 pm
Four new faces in the RG semis, first time for each, some fans are complaining they miss the old guard but what could be better than four new faces two matches away from making their life dreams come true? And today’s second semi Krejcikova vs Sakkari was one of the best matches I ever saw in Paris on the ladies side of the draw. Incredible drama tennis. This RG has been one of the greatest editions ever, now the mens semis are even better.
Scoop Malinowski · June 11, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Tsitsipas wins first two sets then suddenly Zverev rebounds by playing two perfect sets, hitting bigger more aggressively and not missing. Then up 40-love in the first game of fifth set, suddenly Zverev loses his level and Tsitsipas seizes the opportunity and suddenly wins five points in a row to break. Momentum shift and Tsitsipas wins. After he wanted to be inteviewed by Bartoli first and she replied sorry it’s not my turn )
Doug Day · June 11, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Thank you, Stefanos, for returning to roots and pride after so much elitist E.U. globalism. Struggling through a touching postmatch interview he finally signed off on the worldwide lens: “Lets do it for the love of the country”. Take that.
Jeamius · June 12, 2021 at 10:10 pm
2 very accomplished
Players produced
the dullest
Women’s final I have ever seen the coin toss had more verve.
Scoop Malinowski · June 13, 2021 at 8:19 am
A whole lot better than Graf vs Zvereva ) It’s a special thing to see two first time major finalists duking it out to win their first Grand Slam, very enjoyable final, but hopefully not a tv ratings bloodbath. Ardent tennis fans are familiar with both Krejcikova and Pavlyuchenkova but the casual sports is not.
Sam · June 13, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Scoop,
“Sam that would be a very good media question, to ask Djokovic if he asks the Lord for help in his matches. maybe ben rothenberg will ask it.”
Doubt that will ever happen. But considering the way he dispatched Nadal, maybe he DID ask for divine help!!! 😆
“Where’s the beef?! That was a Wendy’s tv commercial I believe. That lil old lady was fantastic.”
Yeah, Clara Somebody. Brings back good memories. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · June 13, 2021 at 9:53 pm
Sam, Djokovic proudly wears his cross around his neck, he believes in God and Jesus Christ. I just watched that Wendy’s commercial on you tube, still hiarious too.