Interesting Gulbis Interview, speaks of dislike for Djokovic among other things
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Gulbis is a billion dollar heir.
No he doesn't, but, he also seems to think that he should contribute to his future. It seems to be a family thing to try to succeed as an athlete, all the kids in his family are athletes.
DRII
G.O.A.T.
in the interview he does try and make it seem that he has to achieve financially, when we all know thats not the case!
and its much easier to try to make a career of being an athlete when your dad is a billionaire! there is not nearly as much pressure, so no wonder his siblings are athletes. i wouldn't be surprised if they would've pursued acting or some other form of entertainment...
I meant a good ambassador if he gets to the top. If he ever gets there, I'm sure he'll have cut out the partying (he already has, I think). But I don't think it's necessarily bad that he's admitted to these things, it shows he's human and has tendencies besides playing tennis. Sometimes it seems like the top players nowadays are perfect robots that never do anything wrong.
Gulbis isn't the first to have formed that opinion and I am sure he will not be the last.
On French TV in June of this year this was said,
Gilles Simon's former coach Thierry Tulasnes said on French TV earlier this year ," Rafa is authentic and very honest."He said "Rafa is natural and himself. But Djokovic is creating a false image of himself, nicer than he really is. "
On French TV in June of this year this was said,
Gilles Simon's former coach Thierry Tulasnes said on French TV earlier this year ," Rafa is authentic and very honest."He said "Rafa is natural and himself. But Djokovic is creating a false image of himself, nicer than he really is. "
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
Indeed Simon said the same thing as Gulbis.
About Nadal I was not surprised at all, his home education seems to be very strong, after reading his autobiography you really understand better what kind of person he is.
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
I really don't think Djokovic is that bad ... he is good even when he lose, very fair play, often applaud his opponent... can't imagine him hitting such a dangerous passing shot like Federer did to Stakhovsky without even apologizing afterwards.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Not sure what is the reasoning behind all this, however, I am surprised with some comments.
I am also not sure how Novak is in the locker room.
HOWEVER:
- In the last 3-4 years, I have not seen any better and more mature interviews from any other player
- I have not seen a player better and more approachable to his fans than Djokovic (I have seen at least 3 of his matches alive and numerous practices)
- I have not seen a player working SOOOOO hard for his country (DC, kid's development foundations, etc). Straight after the USO finals, the next day he practices on red clay in NYC for the davis cup match. Just before the USO, he raised $3M for Serbian kids (and not just "automatic" foundation money, but actual event where he was present and contributed).
Gulbis is a spoiled RICH brat, a failure in what he does. His rich family did not donate much to their struggling country during the post-Soviet transition...
Janowicz is full of himself kid, overrated typical Eastern European with a limited success...
Both of those guys should probably focus on their own problems rather than Federer's or Djokovic's...
I am also not sure how Novak is in the locker room.
HOWEVER:
- In the last 3-4 years, I have not seen any better and more mature interviews from any other player
- I have not seen a player better and more approachable to his fans than Djokovic (I have seen at least 3 of his matches alive and numerous practices)
- I have not seen a player working SOOOOO hard for his country (DC, kid's development foundations, etc). Straight after the USO finals, the next day he practices on red clay in NYC for the davis cup match. Just before the USO, he raised $3M for Serbian kids (and not just "automatic" foundation money, but actual event where he was present and contributed).
Gulbis is a spoiled RICH brat, a failure in what he does. His rich family did not donate much to their struggling country during the post-Soviet transition...
Janowicz is full of himself kid, overrated typical Eastern European with a limited success...
Both of those guys should probably focus on their own problems rather than Federer's or Djokovic's...
Netzroller
Semi-Pro
Oh really? If he actually cared so much about Serbia, why does he not express this by paying taxes in his country (which would most certainly be a much higher amount than the contribution you're talking about)?
Only doing something if the price it not too high and you get lots of praise for it - a very debatable defintion of working hard for your country.
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
whatever, he is earning his money honestly and gives in return, i don't see the problem.
librarysteg
Hall of Fame
Djokovic is still my favorite, but I'm willing to believe that he might not be as "nice" behind the scenes as he appears in interviews. I think all of the players that make it to the very top have developed their own ways to manage it all...motivation, image, fame, etc. I'm sure none of them are quite what we see on TV. There's a lot I could say about some of my less than favorite co-workers but it doesn't mean they aren't decent people.
Crisstti
Legend
It surely at least proves they don't dislike each other (or that Rafa doesn't dislike Novak, going more by what we were discussing). He likes all the other players he's played exos with.
I don't actually think he's said that about players ranked that low
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
This should be obvious to anyone that knows ANYTHING about Serbian government and/or any transitional economy...
If he were to give taxes to Serbian government, those would have been gone into official's pockets rather than used for a good cause. Therefore, I stand by his decision to avoid paying taxes to Serbia a 100% (I am Serbian American living in the States last 22 years, BTW).
Giving a 100% directly for the cause, giving hope and happiness to his people by winning the DC matches is MUCH more valuable than filling up the criminal's pockets.
I would much rather give my American taxes for the good cause rather than financing our Presidents experimental wars over the past 15 years...
Gonzalito17
Banned
Gulbis is just a young man who likes to express himself and be different. I like his character, he is a very good player and close so close to greatness. He showed this in the Nadal matches. It's a fine line difference. Hope he gets over the hump. Then we'll see if he changes )
JRstriker12
Hall of Fame
+1 (10 char)
hahahah you gotta love this guy. So refreshing to hear someone actually speak what they think. And not some just do it marketed robots. I mean being a federer fan I take issue with some of the things he said like roger playing for money and all that but hey his interviews are always something different.
Would be an interesting guy to meet in real life and share a glass of wine with.......
Would be an interesting guy to meet in real life and share a glass of wine with.......
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
uncooling
Semi-Pro
You're saying as if paying taxes is a wrong thing to do. He could easily pay tax and still have those foundation thing he's doing.
TheTruth
G.O.A.T.
That's how I feel about him, too. I just can't get a handle on who he is, or which one he'll be for that day. The smirks and chest-thumping is a bit off-putting as well.
But, a lot of it may be as a result of him not making major strides for so long against Rafa and Roger. He needs to get over that and realize that love and adulation does not come along with his newly minted status. He will still have to win the fans over with sustained excellence.
With all that being said, I definitely don't dislike Djokovic, because he also has a very endearing and kind of boyish charm. And I respect his game and his belief in himself.
He seems like a pretty good guy overall. I don't expect people to be perfect, and can still like them in spite of their flaws, because the reality is that we're all flawed.
TheTruth
G.O.A.T.
Regarding Gulbis, he isn't high enough in the rankings to be known by anyone other than die-hard tennis fans. What he says may be true to him, but throwing stones at others is never a good idea, imo.
TheTruth
G.O.A.T.
Good post.
I don't understand the purpose of it, tbh. Who cares how Novak is, and why is it his job to "blow the whistle" on him? Even if my friend and I were no longer friends ten years from now, I can't imagine talking about her publicly. It doesn't look good, Gulbis, it looks petty.
TheF1Bob
Banned
TheTruth
G.O.A.T.
I got the same impression. He was trying too hard to make people think that he's making it on his own. Probably realized how many people viewed him as a rich kid.
His words mean nothing. No one else in the Top 30, and at one point, outside of the Top 100 arrives at tournaments in private jets.
Gulbis is just mad that all of the money in the world cannot make him a champion on the level of those he criticizes.
Novak is good to be rid of him.
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
What in Petes name is he doing?! Playing flying airplane? Is he in match play? Please tell me he is not in match play.....
Agreed. The brethren are mostly thick skinned and just chill. Beatniks. Listening to jazz snapping the fingers......
TheTruth
G.O.A.T.
That's how I see it too. Nobody is perfect and anyone who thinks they are is just fooling themselves.
He has some bad ways and some good ways. Just like everyone else.
dominikk1985
Legend
I actually agree with both. I like Gulbis "eff you" attitude too but it's easy to not give a **** if your dad is a billionaire or something and you basically have nothing to lose.
novaks family on the other hand put everything on the line for his success. had he gotten injured or failed he and his whole family would have been in serious trouble financially.
in that regard it is only natural that novak changed more. not only achieved he way more in tennis, he also had to to secure his life while for gulbis his career is a nice free time activity but nothing his life depends on.
Crisstti
Legend
Well, that would depend on whether Gulbis meant Novak changed in 2007 or so, or in 2011.
Lol are you serious?, there are way worse things said about Nadal every day here. I don't see any of those posters banned.
Rafa was asked what Novak said and he answered he said he deserved it... can't remember the exact words. But yes, Rafa seemed to get emotional. Well, he was emotional already, but still.
Lol are you serious?, there are way worse things said about Nadal every day here. I don't see any of those posters banned.
Rafa was asked what Novak said and he answered he said he deserved it... can't remember the exact words. But yes, Rafa seemed to get emotional. Well, he was emotional already, but still.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Maybe that is how you understood it.
Even my 8-year-old understood it correctly -- the way any normal person should...
TheCanadian
Semi-Pro
His father is a billionaire and he's a multimillionaire athlete and he won't start a family because he lacks finances? This is just BS.
Sid_Vicious
G.O.A.T.
I think a poster on this board recently mentioned that Gulbis's father was nowhere near as rich as people make him out to be. Let me see if I can dig out.
Still, Gulbis is more than well off.
Edit:
here is the post
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7660168&postcount=19
Last edited:
TheCanadian
Semi-Pro
Nobody seems to like Djokovic and his family. I know, that's a real shocker.
TheCanadian
Semi-Pro
Whatever, so maybe he's not a gazillionaire but only a bazillionaire. Does it matter? His point was ridiculous nevertheless.
Really? Why? Just because he comes from a wealthy family doesn't mean he doesn't have insight to the tour.
TheTruth
G.O.A.T.
I guessed as much. You could see that he was very touched by his words.
Spin Doctor
Professional
I totally agree with this. I don't understand all the hate for this guy. I think he's been a great #1, very good at interviews. He is way more articulate than Murray and Nadal who IMO are not good spokesmen for the sport, and that has nothing to do with Nadal's poor English, he just has nothing interesting to say.
As for players not liking Djoker, this is a bunch of crap. All the Serb guys love him and he seems popular with a lot of guys on tour. The Top 4 guys can't be expected to be buds off the court. They are rivals and a true friendship is unlikely.
As for Djoker "changing", yes well that would be expected for someone to change from the time they are TWELVE! Also, yes, success breeds confidence and it is also clear that Djoker has taken on the responsibility of being a top player and embracing the marketing opportunities that entails. Some might call that cynical, but most would simply say that is just smart. Gulbis clearly does not care about these things and that is fine but he shouldn't begrudge other people their opportunities.
Chico
Banned
+2. 10chars
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
He is imitating his private jet.
Backspin1183
Talk Tennis Guru
Whilst I don't think we should take everything Gulbis says very seriously but I believe he knows the Djoker better than any of the fans do. He's seen and known him for years and Gulbis is known to call a spade a spade.
7zero
Semi-Pro
5555
Hall of Fame
Why is it funny?
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
The best thing he said in that quote was that he doesn't want to say much more until he wins something big (not Delray). This is a great idea.
The Austiran or German that beat him at the Open was every bit as good as Gulbis. The Tennis Gods made sure he learned this lesson from previous comments. Tennis humbles all! hehehe
The Austiran or German that beat him at the Open was every bit as good as Gulbis. The Tennis Gods made sure he learned this lesson from previous comments. Tennis humbles all! hehehe
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
LMAO now that is a good one! Good one. I truly did not realize it was his forehand until last night. Thought he was doing some kind of playing around. He has to be careful with the forehand. I could see a ballboy/ballgirl getting bashed in the head with that thing.
That was a thoughtful and articulate interview by a man who has obviously thought about life and is willing to share his ideas and hopes with an interviewer who knows tennis and asks original questions about the sport and Gulbis as a person.
Gulbis is smart man t as well as being a thoughtful person.
Gulbis is smart man t as well as being a thoughtful person.
Chico
Banned
Yes we judge him on who he is. And he is a spoiled rich brat.
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