Delpo arrives and rejuvenates struggling Djokovic on Armstrong

Huge crowd on hand for Arthur Ashe Kids Day. I mean HUGE. Metal detectors everywhere I guess for the First Lady’s visit.

All courts have kids, no practices, except grandstand (McHale and Hampton) and Armstrong (Djokovic and Kohlschreiber). Djokovic seems disgusted with his play, banging his racquet on his shoes, punching his strings, not with furious rage but a demeanor of frustration, like he just can’t get his game into fifth gear. Another negative body language express is how he also lifts his head and looks up to the sky.

It’s just not happening for Djokovic, so far today. He’s missing returns, missing finishing shots, letting the German hit winners off his shots.

But then Del Potro arrives as the courts are about to change. The arrival of a threat seems to spark Djokovic as he plays with a different urgency and energy. He tries serve and volleying and converts impressively three different ones. He smacks a nice winner. He also plays a cat and mouse point with Kohlschreiber, lobbing him twice, then the German takes the cue and tries a tweener that’s long. They do another fun point for the crowd with another Djokovic serve and volley where he stays to play volleys back at Philipp who plays his shots back at Nole. Finally Djokovic slams a swing volley long on purpose and that’s the end of the hour. They shake hands and then Djokovic walks over to greet Delpo with a hug. Nice moment.

I decide to go to the press conferences, on the way I see Llodra playing a soccer game with his coach in the parking lot. Azarenka is first up in interview room one, she talks about improving her game and fitness and agility. I want to ask her if she feels like she is figuring out Serena but don’t.

Stosur comes in next and says she parted ways with her coach last week and will be working with Fed Cup captain Molik, but nothing is set in stone for the future.

Federer puts a positive spin on being ranked 7th in the world, saying he doesn’t see much difference from 4 to 7. He’s probably right. The great boxing champion Kostya Tszyu once said number one is the only number that matters, anything after that is not much difference.

Djokovic comes in and is asked about serve and volley returning to the ATP and he’s not sure because of the balls and equipment. He also says he was happy to meet for the first time Edberg and Rios last night at the ATP Nunber One Celebration at Waldorf Astoria. Djokvoic talks about him and Nadal being so close and mentions how their duels have been going down to the wire.

I decide to go outside again to meet friends and see that the courts are opening up for pros now. Malisse is hitting with Tursunov on 8. In Armstrong, Ferrer is hitting with Stepanek. They are battling. Ferrer seems to be in charge then Step converts a nice serve and volley and glares over at Ferrer and then his coach at the chair.

The match becomes closer and Step wows the crowd with another pinpoint forehand volley. Step also hits a forehand winner up the line and falls to his knees like he just won Wimbledon. It was the last point. Stepanek is always a showman.

Schiavone comes on next and it’s a surprise to see she is working with Peter Lundgren.

I get a Biofile with Bradley Klahn after his hit on court 4 with Denis Kudla.

Djokovic serve and volleys

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