By Scoop Malinowski
Tennis players like professional boxers use press conference and the media to send their psychological warfare messages to their opponents and rivals…
Novak Djokovic: “This clay surface is the most demanding. It requires a lot of efforts, mentally, physically, emotionally. All the players know that. I’ve always needed several tournaments to feel good on clay. I reached the requested level in Rome… I believe in myself because I’ve done it and I know what it takes.”
Daniil Medvedev: “When you have injuries, at a stage it’s disappointed. But in the same time, I filled the batteries. I felt I needed it. Last year, playing the Davis Cup and then going to Australia, I needed that break maybe. I’m happier to be on the court, more pro on the details….”On clay, I can lose against anybody, let’s be honest.” (When asked on his regular defeats vs. French players). “But I can win matches also, I beat Novak on clay for the first time.”
Stefanos Tsitispas: “I had my first practice here since that final a few days ago. Nothing went through my mind, no flashback of that match, which is a good thing, I’m starting fresh.”
Rafael Nadal: “In sport, things can change quick, and only thing that I can do is try to be ready if that change happens… I mean, the pain is there always, no? It’s not about gonna disappear now. It’s about if the pain is high and strong enough to allow me to play with real chances or not. I live every day with that, so is nothing new for me and is not a big surprise… Am I the favorite ? No, not at all. I am one of the candidates here. But when I was the favorite, I wasn’t much into it. Today friday, I’m not the favorite. But you know what can happen… I won also a lot in Barcelona, Rome and Monte-Carlo. It’s probably not a matter of place. My level of tennis on clay has been high for a long time. But I didn’t have the preparation I would have liked. In sports, things change quickly… I’m here to play tennis. If I didn’t think it could happen, I wouldn’t be here. I’m healthy and I’m here to work, and to play tennis as good as I can… I feel better with my foot, that’s why I’m here. I was very open after the match in Rome. What happened in Rome often happens at practice sessions.”
Alexander Zverev: “We watched him practice, and all of a sudden his forehand is just 20 miles an hour faster. He moves lighter on his feet. There is something about this court that makes him play 30% better, just being on this court.”
Daniil Medvedev · French Open · Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Roland Garros · Stefanos Tsitsipas
9 comments
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Sam · May 22, 2022 at 6:31 pm
Scoop, how do you feel about the ATP stripping Wimby of ranking points? 🤔
And what do you think about the thorny Roland Garros draw? ☺️
Scoop Malinowski · May 22, 2022 at 7:31 pm
Sam, it’s been revealed in a Simon briggs article that Federer and Nadal are behind the push to cancel the WImbledon points for which the biggest loser is Djokovic who even if he wins Wimbledon will lose the no. 1 ranking. This is a powerplay by Federer and nadal to screw Djokovic. It’s an insane move, which damages the integrity of the sport. Federer and nadal hate Djokovic so much that they are risking the integrity of the sport to screw him. It’s astonishing and sad. Lost a lot of respect for federer and nadal.
Sam · May 22, 2022 at 8:17 pm
Really? 🍿 I’d love to read that Briggs article, Scoop. Do you happen to have a link?
Not that I’m really surprised about Federer and Nadal—I honestly wouldn’t put anything past them. 🦹♂️
Whatever happens, hopefully Djokovic will have the last laugh, though. 🤭
Scoop Malinowski · May 22, 2022 at 9:25 pm
Didn’t save that link Sam. It’s curious how now suddenly the media smear campaign against Novak has stopped, it’s almost like the funders paying for that have stopped incentivizing the writers to slander and attack Novak – or they see how it all backfired and Novak is now more popular and beloved than he ever was. The media has lost it’s power to control how the sheeple and public think believe. The media has lost it’s power. So now the anti Novak conspirators are attacking him using the stripping of Wimbledon points to diminish his greatness. The corruption in pro tennis now is alarming and astounding and they risk destroying the sport. What’s needed now is more people to stand up and speak out and fight this injustice and unfairness.
Sam · May 23, 2022 at 1:09 pm
What’s needed now is more people to stand up and speak out and fight this injustice and unfairness.
I agree, Scoop, but practically speaking, what do you think can be done?
P.S. Why are all the comments suddenly going into moderation? 😏
Scoop Malinowski · May 23, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Sam, I think the rats are sensitive and scared of heavy criticism, fans media and players must keep hollering and screaming injustice. Keep protesting. Don’t just sit like a pacifist and allow this to happen. Federer and nadal hate criticism and hate to be judged. They are accustomed to being in control of their images and controlling everything. They need worship and adulation, they can’t handle the opposite. As we saw when the Rod Laver Arena crowd booed Rafa after he took the ten minute fake injury timeout in the final vs Wawrinka, when he returned to the court shirtless the stadium booed him and he couldn’t handle it, he was devastated by it. He then tried to play pretending to be hurt but he couldn’t play that way.
Scoop Malinowski · May 23, 2022 at 2:45 pm
I had to change something in the setting because been getting a swarm of spam comments lately… Sorry for the inconvenience.
Sam · May 23, 2022 at 4:42 pm
fans media and players must keep hollering and screaming injustice
That makes sense, Scoop: Don’t remain silent about it. 📣
I had to change something in the setting because been getting a swarm of spam comments lately… Sorry for the inconvenience.
That’s fine. I figured it had something to with spam. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · May 23, 2022 at 8:11 pm
Sam, been getting high volume of spam and also about two Chinese women on whats app each week trying to meet me or ask for money. Bizarre. But http://www.tennis-prose.com still going strong.