Novak a different kind of #1

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/27/us-tennis-open-djokovic-idUSBRE90Q0C920130127

At this year's Australian Open, he was caught on closed circuit television 'Gangnam Style' dancing with security staff and teaching young players some break dance moves.

Just minutes after his semi-final victory over David Ferrer he also appeared on court with a doctor's lab coat and stethoscope during a legends doubles match to provide 'medical attention' to Henri Leconte.

When I first became a Novak fan I liked that he was an aggressive baseliner with a great deal of potential, but frankly his interviews and impersonations were probably a big reason I became a fan of his. Before I knew about his personal story, or new that he would lift grandslam trophies it was his humor, wit, and intelligence I liked. He wasn't regal and distant like federer, or enigmatic like Nadal. But his personality and humor I found more ingratiating. The fact that my own game is similar, of course a very poor man's copy of his baseline game replete with a stronger backhand wing and return game sealed the deal. But in early 2007, it was his jocularity that made me a fan. Now of course many people don't like aspects of his personality the celebrations or the cockyness. That is fine. But could you imagine any other number 1 dressing up like a pretend doctor for a gag in a legends double game? or dancing with nipple tassles in a commercial or putting on whig in commercial to impersonate Sharapova. Some might say he is trying too hard, but I actually think he is witty and funny and most of his attempts at humor really does come off and I don't think it is mean spirited. I mean could you imagine connors putting on blonde whig, do you think anyone would even ask him? I think as number 1, he has conducted himself exceptionally well and has given us a different kind of personality to either like or dislike based on preferences. But I think most people enjoy the humor.

Sorry to say thou Socal not many liked his humor thou, he will get more fan base if he stops those irritating shirt ripping gimmicks after wins.

People like Fed and Nadal for the personalities they are and not just their game.

I use to like Novak's wits untill he started to believe he is invincible, it was good at the start of 2011 but now its getting beyond my nerve.

Every world number 1 has been different. I can't say I recall any that were the mirror image of each other.

My fav number 1 will always be Connors. Yes his mum was an annoying side note, but I bought into Jimmy in a big way because he made me feel part of his matches. Like he was fighting for the little guys out there. I enjoy the gladitorial mindset. I enjoyed how he made his matches feel like they were life or death.

Personally I don't find Djokovic has offered anything more than previous number 1's. Though what I will say is he has class on court because I can't recall any player let alone number 1 that pays respects to top shots made during a match then he does. I feel at times he yearns for the crowd's love and approval and sometimes tries to adjust himself on court to mood in the crowd. Thats my view though and I don't expect many to share it.

although djoko does do that, when he was getting spanked 6-1 4-1 by stan he certainly was not applauding shots.
He reverted back to this when he was level or ahead.
Still more than most do though.

The future GOAT for sure unless he sustains injury (hopefully not)

legendkillarV2 wrote:I feel at times he yearns for the crowd's love and approval and sometimes tries to adjust himself on court to mood in the crowd.

I actually agree with this, at least to an extent. I think he spent a lot of time trying to make up for falling out with the crowd at the USO over the Roddick comments.

I think now he's a little older, he seems more comfortable in his own skin and what we see is pretty much who he really is. You can tell it still upsets him a little bit if the crowd is strongly behind his opponent though.

Some of the humour is a bit silly but I quite like that. My favourite 'gag' was at Wimbledon when he pulled a golf club out of his bag rather than a tennis racquet!

I think I've said this before but one way in which I do think this is a 'golden era' is the blend of personalities at the top of the game. We have 4 very different characters all of whom have their different quirks and flaws but are basically nice guys, respectful of each other and good ambassadors for the game.

sportslover wrote:The future GOAT for sure unless he sustains injury (hopefully not)

you may be a sportslover but with comments like that you don't know much about them.

"We have 4 very different characters all of whom have their different quirks and flaws but are basically nice guys, respectful of each other and good ambassadors for the game"

Shame some of their fans cant be likewise"

And that includes you Luv!

It's ok, I wouldn't say it's especially incredible because there's generally been reasonable people at the top - sometimes a bit more aggressive but then arguably more interesting, but never anyone like the idiots in some other sports.

nice retort.
but seriously djoko, future goat? not a hope in hell!
that is clueless

To continue HM's allegory, King Federer, at odds with Pirate Nadal, courted by Jester Djokovic, with General Murray.

Any painters in the house who can put this on canvas?

Agree in some ways with the OP - imo Djokovic is easily the most likeable of the top 4, second to JWT in the top 10.

Luvsports using my debating style

If Djokovic can stay injury free, I believe he can get more slams than Federer.
Nadal would have as well, but he was torn apart by injuries.

Djoko only need another 12. That's 3 per year for the next four years. Anyone could do it. Easy.

I spent some time working out why he needed 12.3 a year, and how he was going to get that in 4 events.

I won't get those 20 seconds back. Thanks.

It must be love... I have more or less stopped frequenting tennis boards because all that is being said has been said a billion times before... But your comment made me laugh.

I guess Rafael Nadal , when be burst on the scene and started defeating Federer, must have said the same to himself.

You should make that comment when Djokovic has 11 slams , equal to Nadal's and is still fit and winning. Not on the back of a 'mere ' 6th slam.

It Must Be Love wrote:If Djokovic can stay injury free, I believe he can get more slams than Federer.
Nadal would have as well, but he was torn apart by injuries.

But if Federer hadn't been torn apart by Mono and a bad back he'd be on 22 by now.

It Must Be Love wrote:If Djokovic can stay injury free, I believe he can get more slams than Federer.
Nadal would have as well, but he was torn apart by injuries.

As much as I'd love this to be so, it'll never happen. Fed at the same age had 10 slams.

The sad thing is that I worked this out yesterday just out of curiousity!

Novak is a cool number 1, more personality than the previous 2 put together. I guess he just hasn't been sold the same way with all those slow videos with the music to the public.

break_in_the_fifth wrote:Novak is a cool number 1, more personality than the previous 2 put together. I guess he just hasn't been sold the same way with all those slow videos with the music to the public.

The hairstyle is the major problem, it's unsellable.

That, and the parents.

Federer and Nadal have promoted themselves brilliantly, Federer as the statesman of tennis, Nadal appealing to the youth. Unfortunately those two positions take a majority of the market so Djokovic has his work cut out for global appeal

bogbrush wrote:

break_in_the_fifth wrote:Novak is a cool number 1, more personality than the previous 2 put together. I guess he just hasn't been sold the same way with all those slow videos with the music to the public.

The hairstyle is the major problem, it's unsellable.

That, and the parents.

His hairstyle is short, stiff and wiry - a bit like a certain toilet cleaning utensil

coolpixel wrote:Federer and Nadal have promoted themselves brilliantly, Federer as the statesman of tennis, Nadal appealing to the youth. Unfortunately those two positions take a majority of the market so Djokovic has his work cut out for global appeal

Not sure his clothing sponsorship deal works that well either. Uniglo's clothes are OK but don't see any tennis players out there wearing his (or are they not available yet here in the UK?) .

theslosty wrote:Agree in some ways with the OP - imo Djokovic is easily the most likeable of the top 4, second to JWT in the top 10.

coolpixel wrote:Federer and Nadal have promoted themselves brilliantly, Federer as the statesman of tennis, Nadal appealing to the youth. Unfortunately those two positions take a majority of the market so Djokovic has his work cut out for global appeal

Global appeal is funny thing to predict though.

Nadal, for instance, seems to be incredibly popular in India. Djokovic in the Far East. It's tough to say who will appeal to whom.

My take on it is that Novak's image has grown hugely with the public over the last couple of years. I heard a couple of women in my office talking about Andy making the final and they said "he'll be up against Novak. That will be tough". They are not particular sports fan yet they're on first name familiarity with Djokovic.

Also, if you read the comments section of newspaper reports, loads of people are familiar with Djokovic now and almost all are complimentary. The opinions aren't always the most logical (I love the guy but I'm not sure he's "going to be greater than Federer"!) but the level of recognition just wasn't there a couple of years ago.

bogbrush wrote:The hairstyle is the major problem, it's unsellable.

That, and the parents.

It's not just the tennis of Andy and Novak that is similar then!

HM Murdoch wrote:

bogbrush wrote:The hairstyle is the major problem, it's unsellable.

That, and the parents.

It's not just the tennis of Andy and Novak that is similar then!

I do like that hes not afraid to come out of his skin and be a little funny, as opposed to the cookie cutter pr weve been used to, as well as having cojones of steel

Yes, good posts all around. I actually will agree with those that say we are blessed in tennis in havin 4 very strong and positive personalities at the top of the game. In most sports we get a lot of bad and disrespectful type of stars, American team sports have to be the worst. But in tennis we have relatively wholesome and ingratiating guys at the top who are all great in their own way for selling the game.

I am not saying that Djokovic is better than past number 1s in terms of personality it is afterall a matter of subjective choice. I mean it is like saying blue is the best color or red. But that is what first made me like the guy. I actually liked that he called Roddick out when Roddick mocked him in front of the media. It showed that he is a complex guy and while he likes to have a laugh he also as falzy said has balls of steel to hit back at Roddick in Roddick's house. Now of course in retrospect it wasn't a smart move because the crowd tortured him in the next match and it took awhile for them to forget that. But I like that he is both a fighter and likes to laugh. No one is perfect, we are all complex creatures.