September 05, 2008
Novak Djokovic: A Man We Love To Hate
By Neil JoshiNovak Djokovic may be just the thing the game of tennis needs to start approaching its glory days of the 70’s and 80’s.
Armed with a big game and a no nonsense approach to self-appreciation, he’s stormed into the tennis landscape and is not going anywhere. He’s 11 months younger than Nadal, so will he be around long after Federer has reached his twilight to provide a quality rival for the Spaniard. With a major championship in his hands from Melbourne in January, he’s become an accomplished foil to this Federer/Nadal dynasty that has existed in men’s tennis over the last five years.
Djokovic is two victories from becoming the first person other than those two to win multiple majors since Pete Sampras retired. Nadal’s place at the top may not be as safe as you think.
For all the news that Novak’s making on the court, the world’s third ranked player is starting to earn himself a place on everyone’s black list with his antics off of it.
After fending off a late charge from Andy Roddick late last night to advance to the U.S. Open semifinals, Djokovic turned the luscious crowd of New York against with him a sour interview directed squarely at his opponent, who jokingly claimed he was faking injuries. Djokovic has called the trainer without hesitation throughout the fortnight and earned him the reputation of a “faker.” By the end of his post-match interview with USA’s Michael Barkan, last year’s Open finalist left to a shower of boos. He attacked the crowd for rooting against him and sarcastically referenced the “16 injuries” Roddick spoke of. His rash statements and raw emotion have made him the perfect candidate to become the most hated man in tennis.
Djokovic’s tenacity and nastiness is everything tennis needs. In the etiquette-based world that exists in tennis, a rebel is something that can really help the sport become relevant again. Controversial figures that spice things up are what draws viewers, whether we like it or not.
Djokovic has made himself tennis’ latest version. He’s bent the rules at times, but he’s done it all while pounding his chest confidently as he progresses through the draw. He’s angered the fans and the players all while him and his section chant “Nole, Nole” his nickname from Serbia. It’s amazing that it was just one year ago when the outcast was a YouTube sensation, and fan favorite, with his impressions of Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. His antics even helped him get Maria Sharapova to sit in his box for his match against Federer lat year.
One year later, things seem so different, but are still the same. Djokovic faces Federer in another crucial match on the courts of Flushing Meadow, but now as the villain. He’s traded Sharapova for pole vaulting megababe Leryn Franco. Their inevitable showdown has essentially become a battle for the number two spot. With the French, Wimbledon, and a gold medal in hand, Rafa Nadal has put himself in unreachable territory as far as 2008 is concerned. Federer’s struggles have been well documented, but this is his last shot for glory before he has to sit down and evaluate how his year went. If he lost this match, in another hugely important Grand Slam battle, then Federer will have little to look forward to. This is Djokovic’s time to make it big.
Every great story needs someone to root against, and Djokovic could be the Joker in the hole that tennis badly needs. Djokovic’s greatest strength as a tennis player is his ability to use your hatred of him as a fuel for his fire. He angers the players by playing mind games, then using their verbal attacks as unkempt motivation. He made it clear he took Andy Roddick’s comments to heart (even though he was joking) and made sure everyone knew it by pompously referencing to it in his postgame celebration.
He’s ticked off Roger Federer, the fans in Melbourne, and Rafael Nadal, just to name a few. That’s the kind of thing Jimmy Connors would do to his opponents, who hated him endlessly for his infamous gamesmanship. It was rude and immature, but we ate it up every time he, or Johnny Mac, would infuriate everyone around them.
In Novak, tennis has its 21st century version, a man who always leaves us wondering, “What will he do next?”
