ESPN picks for AO 2024

Novak is looking Good.

 

https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/39291187/expert-picks-win-2024-australian-open-titles

 

 

Article on Novak return to AO. Many mistakes were made. Almost all were from others.

 Novak's biggest mistake was not understanding the grip of insanity that has overtaken the tribe of media and submissive mobs of once citizens, now subjects and again in Australia.

The writer must not know a lot about tennis if it says most can't see that Novak's brilliance is unrecognizable and his matches are boring.   If you watched his last few matches at the AO you would notice that he changed his pattern of play to compensate for his hamstring injury.  He became very aggressive.   Knowledgeable players and tennis fans saw this.

As for his father's problems with media.  It's in the head of the woke mob in the media that this was a big deal.   Nobody cares if he stands next to some Russians with their flag.  

Finally, last year's debacle was one for the AO since it has proven only that it is among the countries that doesn't respect personal autonomy versus the collective.   They behaved badly toward their citizens and toward guests.  

Read the article if you want to confirm my observations.

Novak Returns

Watching the numbers. Stubbs on the AO finals - Men vs Women Viewership

 The Stubbs post declaring that the women's final surpassed the men in viewership was factually incorrect.  Yet, she used them to suggest that women's tennis had finally arrived.   It was a great match but don't pretend that the men's final was ho-hum.  It was a retribution for last year when Novak was arbitrarily confined and sent home due to mass psychosis in play in Australia.   A year later most know he was right to take the stand that he did.  A few holdouts that can't admit a mistake continue on with their attacks.   

She used Australian numbers. Very parochial. No Aussies in the finals. Barty was the previous big draw before on the women's side. Viewership on the women's side dropped the most this time. I'd like to see international numbers.  

Update: she took the post down because of the heavy response to the fake numbers.   

Citizen fact checkers win the day.

 

 

How did Novak win the AO with a 3cm tear in his hamstring?

He wanted this enough to make the calculation and played around his injury with more aggressive play to end points quickly. As he ages, this approach may become his way of extending his career. 

Here a doctor suggests it wasn't that bad.

AO Chief comments regarding Novak injury under a Microscope 

Anyone judging a hamstring tear must have never suffered a hamstring injury. It is debilitating and lethal to your ability to move. Fear of making it worse can make you tentative. Novak took a different approach and went for winners knowing he had to end the points earlier.  

 

Novak in AO Final

Beats Paul in Semis

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

R.I.P. Dick Savitt

 Savitt passes at 95 years old

Alcaraz out of AO - Injury

Another out for an injury.

ATP - Alcaraz

Novak offers help to Nick

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

Novak

Adelaide tournament director: 'Sharp' Novak Djokovic ready to take on all contenders

Novak Djokovic ready to take on all contenders

Australia Open to Djokovic for 2023 - Considers Banning Russians - Sports Minister

Australian Open

At some point, countries that ban athletes based on bad policy should have their events taken from them.  

Punishing Russian citizens for the actions of their country is bad policy.

Novak - AO Update - Support Increases

 Pushback Drops from Australians

Australian Open 2023- Will Novak Win

 Opinion - The odds go with him to make it #10 at the AO 2023.

Kim Clijsters

Australia Paying Price for Mistreatment of Novak Djokovic

 Potential tourists don't like what they saw.   I would never visit there based on what they did to a high profile visitor since I would never even be noticed if I were to be hauled away.  

Forget that place.

Australian Gulag

Novak didn't Whine about the AO

 Novak

Tennis Rankings are a Mess - Let Novak. Play

The ATP, Wimbledon Officials, Australian Politicians, and finally, USA CDC; They've all contributed to screwing up Tennis Rankings and tournament participation by Tennis Players who only want to hit tennis balls, make their own health decisions, and not involve themselves in politics when it comes to tennis.

Let Novak Play - at the U.S. Open

Australia to drop vax requirements for visitors

 Six months after treating Novak like a criminal, Australia changes their tune on vax requirements.

The question now is whether they will allow Novak back in since its rules may prevent it for a few years since he was deported.

First Slams and Tallies