Zverev Cleared - Investigation Complete

 Zverev

The Jackals of Sports Media - They never stop!

In response to an Opinion piece in The Age by Andrew Webster  - Why we can't bring ourselves to say Novak Djokovic is the GOAT.

So Novak is a villain because he didn't take a now problematic treatment as was and is his right to medical and bodily autonomy.   So far it has cost him participation in two Grand Slam events thanks to political maneuverings.  He turned out to be the smarter one than the crowd that were stampeded or forced into submission to the experimental effort.  One thing he also didn't do that he could have done is get a fake card indicating that he did get one.   You don't think he could have done that with enough money thrown at it.  His integrity didn't allow him to go there.

As for his on-court behavior.  Most of the writers never experienced the battle of emotion and willpower needed to function alone on a tennis court in a competition.   Getting heckling drunks tossed out of a stadium is a rational and reasonable approach to asking for respect not just for himself but also for the other fans.  Somehow, the tennis media and umpire didn't seem to get that the drunks weren't the only ones in the stadium entitled to enjoy a tennis match.

As for his lack of strengths as the author of the article describes, I then begin to question the writer's knowledge of tennis.   Aside from great groundstrokes, Novak has impeccable footwork and balance making his range of coverage among the very best ever.   His fitness level is a weapon in itself.  He has the best return of serve in the game right now.  

There is more but let me finally just say, his mental strength on the court is what causes his wins to materialize.   He has the complete set of physical skills combined with the mental toughness that allows him to play against his opponent and a stadium of unfriendly tennis fans and win.  Most players can't handle a nasty and biased crowd where Novak just soldiers forward and wins matches.  A great competitor can find a way to overcome adversity.  A GOAT brings home the numbers to back it up and prove it with receipts.

We will know the outcome of the GOAT debate in tennis when Novak and Rafa finally retire.  Until then, the final tally isn't proven though in almost every category Novak equals or greatly exceeds the best of our time and those that came before.   Some are invested in other players and cannot imagine that their chosen player isn't the best so they choose metrics like fan favorite or best sportsman to justify the GOAT designation.   It only proves that the other numbers fall short for them to resort to that.

Novak in AO Final

Beats Paul in Semis

Novak's Dad to Miss AO Semi-Final

 This was unfortunate and I believe that  he didn't know the politics of the fans involved.

Syrdjan to miss AO Semi

Novak still under attack at AO

Radio guy says deport him, possibly in jest

Using the Fade and Draw

 Shot Making Heuristics

Superb article:  Read and Learn

Novak has problem with a "tennis fan" at the AO

 Eurosport

Fans like this need to be banned. It's not just about the players. It's about the fans that come to watch tennis. 

 Go to a football game where it's expected if you want to get sloshed.

Rafa is out of the AO - perspective

 Some argue that minus injuries he would have 4 or 5 more wins at the Australian Open.

He could have had 4 or 5 more if Novak wasn't there as last year proved. 

The same argument could apply to Novak taking more French Open titles if Rafa wasn't there.

This is not his best surface and carries more injury risk for him.

Novak Returns to the Australian Open - No longer a Villain

 This is a nice NYT article that feels balanced in reporting compared to previous accounts by most sports writers last year.  Many are still glued to their anger at Novak for not submitting.

NYT Article

Iga is Playing the Long Game

 The Long Game: This philosophy is the way to continuous improvement in any endeavor. Incremental improvements for changing circumstances are better than complete overhauls once you've reached a high level of performance. Thoughts?

 Iga goes for the Long Game

Kyrios tribute to Novak Djokovic

It's nice to see Nick finding some balance and appearing to mature. Kind words for the big 3, now 2. 

 Nick Kyrios

Teaching and Playing in high wind

We had fun playing tennis in the rain and high wind as kids. Now, no lessons with wet courts for safety and liability reasons but with wind conditions, it's okay unless equipment flies around. I'd guess above 30mph would make it problematic but players have to learn to play in it.

R.I.P. Dick Savitt

 Savitt passes at 95 years old

PTPA - has the time for it finally arrived. New members and an executive committee

 PTPA

Alcaraz out of AO - Injury

Another out for an injury.

ATP - Alcaraz

Raducanu early exit from injury

It's easy to judge someone at a distance. I remember when Fed and Novak were beset with problems that caused them to quit playing a match. No one would call either of them wimps now with justification. Her problems started with coaching changes that were from advice she took based on her age and inexperience. Hopefully, she'll begin to trust her own counsel.

 

 

Raducanu out

Novak offers help to Nick

 This is a nice act of kindness to help repay that same support Nick game him last year.

Novak