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Jerzy Janowicz is the new “Bad Boy” of tennis
23 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Tennis has been waiting a long time for a new badboy to come along and shake things up. Well, he’s here now. Jerzy Janowicz is rocking the boat.
So far he’s called Djokovic “a phony.” He’s gone viral on You Tube for his famous outburts at the Australian Open in the Devvarman match. He’s been called “the most disliked player in the locker room.” And that’s just off the court.
On the court, he’s “intimidating,” said John McEnroe during the ESPN telecast of the Almagro third-rounder today. He crushes the ball, stares you down, roars after big points, will try to tattoo you at net too. Stefan Edberg, Jerzy Janowicz is not.
This six-foot-eight Polish Tower of Power is bringing a different dimension to tennis. When you watch him perform you think of words and terms like Fury, adrenaline, destroyer, physical submission. He plays “the game of grace” like a gladiator, not Baryshnikov.
McEnroe thinks Janowciz, has a shot to knock off co-favorite Andy Murray. Heck, so do I. He beat Murray at Paris Masters last year. If anyone can handle the mental and physical challenges of playing Murray on Center Court at Wimbledon, it’s Janowicz.
Janowicz has the massive serve, the power game but also remarkable movement and touch shots and drop shots, when necessary. McEnroe said he thinks Janowicz has good hands to work with, he just needs to improve his net game to make the top 10, or beyond. JJ is seeded 24th this week.
It’s been over a decade since the last time the ATP had a true badboy, it’s been years since Marcelo Rios and Marat Safin colorized the Tour with their unconventional antics and personalities. But Jerzy Janowicz is here to save the day and spice things up.
“Watch out everyone, we got a new guy in town,” said John McEnroe, after Janowicz defeated Almagro in straight sets. “This guy’s not taking any prisoners. He’s got some personality. This guy’s a pleasant addition to our sport.”
“Wow,” said Patrick McEnroe.
Janowicz will play Jurgen Melzer next in the third round. A showdown with Andy Murray looms.
McEnroe: "He takes no prisoners"
Dan Markowitz · June 28, 2013 at 1:07 pm
For a guy with such a power game, I’ve never seen a big guy drop shot more than him. He’s got a little Bobby Riggs in him.
Steve · June 28, 2013 at 1:39 pm
He’s created some scary incidents on court but he’s very nice to the ball kids and gently says thank-you often which I always look for and admire.
I’m still surprised you didn’t pick him against Almagro…
Andrew Miller · June 28, 2013 at 5:44 pm
Got to believe this match is Melzer’s. Melzer has a way of making life easier for top seeds by taking out dangerous players. Call him the player EVERY seed wants in their part of the draw.
Steve · June 28, 2013 at 6:12 pm
HOW MANY TIIIIIMES?!?!?
http://youtu.be/7hfTDuISM4U
This is up there with Brando’s STELLA!!! but I felt scared the female umpire…he’s more of a hulking beast than a bad boy but a beast that’s nice to the ball kids.
Scoop Malinowski · June 28, 2013 at 8:16 pm
He’s got a bit of Dustin Brown in him too with those droppers.
Scoop Malinowski · June 28, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Steve, he is most certainly a nice guy off court, is a fireball on court. I might pick him to win Wimbledon by 2019.
Scoop Malinowski · June 28, 2013 at 8:22 pm
JJ can be downright hostile on the court, in your face, but at the same time there’s a niceness about him. A very interesting and intriguing player. It’s pretty clear Johnny Mac really likes him.
Steve · June 28, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Mac gernally has great taste in players. He loved Henin almost as much as I did/do though he never understood Goran.
Steve · June 28, 2013 at 9:24 pm
I’ll be up bright & early for Gasquet/Tomic. Should be a great one.
Andrew Miller · June 28, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Mac’s judgement is impaired. A better judge of talent is someone who sees what’s going on in the court – that would be Cliff Drysdale. Whatever Cliff says I will go by.
Steve · June 29, 2013 at 5:54 am
Yeah, most of us love Cliff Drysdale here. It’s the one thing we all agree on. 🙂
Steve · June 29, 2013 at 8:19 am
Attack of the lefties. De Schepper has a sweet serve & volley game and Verdasco is looking solid so far against Gulbis but you never know what can happen in a Verdasco match.
Steve · June 29, 2013 at 8:25 am
De Schepper & Brands would make a formidable doubles team.
Harold · June 29, 2013 at 8:28 am
Gulbis did not take advantage of Tsonga’s withdrawal, going down in probably straights to Verdasco on grass, is proof to me that he’s not cut out to go far in Majors.
He gives good pressers, but if you don’t win,who cares. Dad can buy him a TV station and he’ll be Shecky Gulbis doing stand up comedy
Scoop Malinowski · June 29, 2013 at 8:30 am
Abysmal performance by Gulbis, from what I saw at the end. Was he hurt? Looked like the old Gulbis, no fight, no life. Maybe Verdasco is playing his best tennis.
Scoop Malinowski · June 29, 2013 at 8:41 am
Maybe Gulbis lost his confidence after those two close losses to Nadal, he really needed one of those.
Scoop Malinowski · June 29, 2013 at 9:16 am
How about Tomic outsmarting Gasquet with that variety and drop shot to win the tiebreak 9-7. Tomic should finish Richie now. Too much craft and variety for the predictable Gasquet. Sorry Steve!
Steve · June 29, 2013 at 9:25 am
How about Seppi just taking set 4 off Nishikori 6-1? Didn’t think you’d mention that.
So much for the crushing you predicted.
I knew this would be a touch match for Gasquet. I hope he can fight through. I loved when Gasquet out played Tomic in the 20+ slice fest point.
Steve · June 29, 2013 at 9:51 am
So sorry Scoop. Seppi just beat Nishikori. As I expected Seppi’s superior fitness, strategy and equally good backhand got him the win.
Will never forget when Seppi pushed Djoker to 5 sets at the FO. Seppi is a very underestimated player by “journalists”.
Scoop Malinowski · June 29, 2013 at 11:42 am
Didn’t see hardly any of Seppi-Kei, it came down to 6-4 in the fifth for Sep, significant upset win for Sep vs. Kei. Tomic showed his class today and why he can be a future no. 1 and major winner, magnificent display of grass court tennis beating an in form Gasquet, it was close but comfortable for Tomic, who let the second set get away.
Steve · June 29, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Scoop you should get the DVD of the Seppi-Kei match. The 6-1 fourth set was a beautiful showcase of Seppi’s superior game. It wasn’t about buzz or hype just great play.
Scoop Malinowski · June 29, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Steve do you have a dvd of Sep-Kei? I’d like to see it.
Steve · June 30, 2013 at 8:45 am
No, I’m def. gonna get it though. It was a fantastic match.