POETRY CONER: Novak Djokovic, Fire

There's plenty of fire in Novak Djokovic.
It's in his eyes to air coordination.

It's the way he walks on hot coals
and keeps burning.
And when water is poured and smoke start rising for the night
His embers know no rest.
They burn and burn
They hurt that chest.

OH, stop and have a minute of silence
For the man whose fire knows no rest.
Oh, just this once, open heavens and pour some air
For Nole and his flag bearer, Noleisthebest.

Although I have been in quite a sheltering mode after the USO final, I could not help notice the negative press and treatment Nole has had, and the opposite for Andy Murray.

Why was Nole booed during his MTO?

Why does a Dutch journalist call him a vulture looking man coming from the wrong country
Why does S. Tignor bend himself over backwards to prop up the charmless character of Andy Murray?
Why Did Nole receive no or very little love for the magnificent year of 2011?

Why do guys like Nadal and Murray who an barely string a sentence or crack a smile get all these media pushes?

It's not their looks and it surely can't be their tennis.

Is it possible that money has drilled this deep into the psyche of media worms.

Anyway....these things don't surprise me.
I am just a little sad for Nole.

I don't think Murray captivates the crowd either. However I am sure many Americans can probably pull their "Scottish origin" card to feel more involved and closer to Murray.

I also don't think their popularity differs a lot outside the UK. I even think in the best part of Europe Djoko is probably the preferred player over Murray. At the AO it evens i guess (like it usually does over there) and it would be interesting to see whom the French would pick if they meet in a RG final, that's a tough call. Especially when there's no longer a clear underdog.

Must say it kinda surprises me that Djoko is not that popular in the states. He played plenty of heroic matches in NY and frequently exposed the entertainer in him. Assets which usually are appreciated in the States. As for that final: i think it's a case of "when in doubt, pick the underdog". Next year things could be different, when everyone has forgotten about Andy's tears at Wimbledon/AO.

Last weekend Federer played the Davis cup in Holland. It's just insane how popular he is. That match was played under the motto: "better to lose against the Swiss with Him, than to win without Him".
That's not exactly the status Djoko/Murray AND Nadal has or ever will have i reckon

gallery play wrote: That match was played under the motto: "better to lose against the Swiss with Him, than to win without Him".

That's the spirit!

I was discussing this last night in my club and a few members (Brits) told me they woudl support Federer v Murray...in a way not different than me when French players face Federer. Something most of us would never do in team sports of course.

Federer was really bringing a show with him. This is something we do not see when Djoko and Murray face off. It;s all about winning for everybody but Federer chose to win mastering all the tennis shots plus more. The others simply concentrated on their fitness. That in itself is a killer for the sport. There is not even craftmanship a la Connors or Agassi, it's simply about outlasting, especially Murray as at least Djoko has perfected good deep returns. This is why in my view NITB, imo, concentrates on Djoko's desire to win and "balls" more than his tennis itself. And it's what we read from most Nadal's fans as well.

Nowadays tennis results are more interesting than the tennis itself.

Tenez wrote:. This is why in my view NITB, imo, concentrates on Djoko's desire to win and "balls" more than his tennis itself. And it's what we read from most Nadal's fans as well.

Nowadays tennis results are more interesting than the tennis itself.

thanks.

I knew you would not like it but it's certainly not meant to upset you.

But am I wrong in saying that?

Tenez wrote:I knew you would not like it but it's certainly not meant to upset you.

But am I wrong in saying that?

You are.

All right then!

I guess the comparison with Nadal fans was a little too much, T

@Nitb: Tenez has a point imo. There's hardly any talk about the beauty, artistry or uniqueness of Djoko's game. It actually seems that is what's bothering you: he doesn't get the credits or attention you think he deserves. So apparently you're viewpoint is different. But then again: so what?

gallery play wrote: But then again: so what?

Exactly!

gallery play wrote:I guess the comparison with Nadal fans was a little too much, T

Yes, because they're totally inferior aren't they

Amritia3ee wrote:

gallery play wrote:I guess the comparison with Nadal fans was a little too much, T

Yes, because they're totally inferior aren't they

Now you're taking it out of context, and i think you know it

What were you implying then :chin:

gallery play wrote:I guess the comparison with Nadal fans was a little too much, T

I agree! Though we have a good Nadal fan here!

wow, the magic of Nole's fire bringing Tenez and a Nadal fan together


what have I done

I feel amri has been making lots of effort to keep the discussions interesting and open!

Thanks Tenez

NITB... lol, maybe your poems are more powerful than you expected!

Amritia3ee wrote:Thanks Tenez

NITB... lol, maybe your poems are more powerful than you expected!

Great! Even I am taken aback, and am embracing it with the spirit of universal tennis fellowship

All we need is LF to now finally admit the draws have been rigged and then ...I don't know what...but I hope I'm not dreaming .....

noleisthebest wrote:
All we need is LF to now finally admit the draws have been rigged and then ...I don't know what...but I hope I'm not dreaming .....

Draw rigging is an urban myth and a cheap excuse for losing matches.