US Open 2015: Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) [18]

[junior74]

Those two BPs that would have given Lopez 4-2 will be a little haunting. He was playing his very best tennis at that moment and was so close. The tiebreak was the worst points he played in the entire match. Very nice match, with many top notch points. So much more fun to watch than Cilic-Tsonga.

SF next year, Lopez! Vamos!

 

[killerboi2]

Asthetically pleasing? His serve is nice its not roddicks serve, his forehand has variety and is nice for a bent arm forehand, he's got an absolutely perfect textbook backhand... generic? Generic is such a bad choice of words. It sounds like he beats your guys and now youre bitter. Thats fine but dont bash him for it

People wanted to know why he wasn't getting the love of the crowd, and that's a big part of the reason imo. His style and technique. Notice how Federer never had that problem. Why? Maybe because of his all action style and the fact that his style just looks better.

 

[RanchDressing]

People wanted to know why he wasn't getting the love of the crowd, and that's a big part of the reason imo. His style and technique. Notice how Federer never had that problem. Why? Maybe because of his all action style and the fact that his style just looks better.

Thats not it at all. People still want to see fed and nadal win.

Every step of fed's career has been calculated. Every behavior. So that he can be the most marketed athlete. And he was successful. Beyond that, by mere exposure effect you're going to like who you see more of, it's that simple.

Fed was a marketing masterpiece. So was nadal. Novak and murray? Not so much. When you wake up and realize fed and nad acted the way they did for the millions upon millions they got, you might not like them so much.

 

[cronus]

Lopez should get into full time modeling, he could earn a lot.

 

[junior74]

Lopez should get into full time modeling, he could earn a lot.

His tennis works, too.
Whatever peels your banana

 

[killerboi2]

Thats not it at all. People still want to see fed and nadal win.

Every step of fed's career has been calculated. Every behavior. So that he can be the most marketed athlete. And he was successful. Beyond that, by mere exposure effect you're going to like who you see more of, it's that simple.

Fed was a marketing masterpiece. So was nadal. Novak and murray? Not so much. When you wake up and realize fed and nad acted the way they did for the millions upon millions they got, you might not like them so much.

Yeah to an extent... but there are people out there that literally think that Federer is god, or a religious experience. No amount of marketing can do that. It's his style of play.

 

[RanchDressing]

Yeah to an extent... but there are people out there that literally think that Federer is god, or a religious experience. No amount of marketing can do that. It's his style of play.

Some people think the earth is flat. No amount of books can change that too.

Federer has been and still is the most marketable athelete in the world. That makes a pretty big impact on how much people like him. He's won a ton. I like him too, but I can see him for what he is. His tennis career is amazing, no doubt. But he's a product of advertisement. I don't think he's not a nice guy (why wouldn't he be nice with all that money and success). But he's not who he would appear to be.

 

[joekapa]

Thats not it at all. People still want to see fed and nadal win.

Every step of fed's career has been calculated. Every behavior. So that he can be the most marketed athlete. And he was successful. Beyond that, by mere exposure effect you're going to like who you see more of, it's that simple.

Fed was a marketing masterpiece. So was nadal. Novak and murray? Not so much. When you wake up and realize fed and nad acted the way they did for the millions upon millions they got, you might not like them so much.

Ah, that is something most here don't want to admit.

Although I disagree with Nadal's game being aesthetically pleasing.

 

[joekapa]

Yeah to an extent... but there are people out there that literally think that Federer is god, or a religious experience. No amount of marketing can do that. It's his style of play.

Nope. Plenty of marketing does that.

 

[Mr Feeny]

Yeah to an extent... but there are people out there that literally think that Federer is god, or a religious experience. No amount of marketing can do that. It's his style of play.

This. No amount of marketing makes Federer and Nadal what they are. Some people are just charismatic. Federer just has the "it" factor and is usually cheered by crowds even when squaring off with a local hometown guy. I think it might well be his style of play. He almost floats on the court. His same is so beautiful to watch that casual fans are just drawn to him.

 

[The Green Mile]

A pretty anti climatic ending. Battling it out in the 4th set, Lopez getting multiple chances on Djokovic's serve, while holding his own relatively easy. But only to get whipped in the 4th set TB. But Djokovic is through regardless. Wasn't at his best tonight though. TBH, neither was Cilic. Up and down. Be interesting to see who brings their A game.

 

[Meles]

Djokovic said that the court is a little bit faster this year, that's interesting.

I suspect th cooler weather for semis will get them back to normal.

 

[Meles]

I'm no Djokovic fan, dude. Its just weird to see a not only dominant, but also extroverted and humorous champion be so devoid of crowd backing. I don't buy the story about racism against east Europeans either. Goran and Safin were intensely popular.

Its the chest thumping and the nature of his temper. Poisoned USO crowd years ago with this. The shirt pull off and stare down of Boris is not likable. 10 times worse than the f bomber Murray who really cannot be taken seriously. If he ever touches Jelena with this temper he should be ashamed.

 

[joekapa]

Its the chest thumping and the nature of his temper. Poisoned USO crowd years ago with this. The shirt pull off and stare down of Boris is not likable. 10 times worse than the f bomber Murray who really cannot be taken seriously. If he ever touches Jelena with this temper he should be ashamed.

Maybe. Most crowds are stupid though. Looking at chest thumping, or haistyles to decide who their favorite or non favorite is. Takes away the essence of what is happening on court.

To prove the point. This years Wimby final against Federer. The crowd was atrocious, even cheering unforced errors made by Djokovic. Star studded attendance, who were there more for publicity than anything else. Djokovic's celebration after he won, was a great F.U to the crowd. It was like he had a huge sword, and did a 360 degree turn, and cut their heads off in one swoop. I don't think he even thanked them in the post match interview. Why should he ? Man was that pleasing. He wasn't so much playing against Federer as he was against the crowd.

I think that match will be studied and tought to students of sports psychology, for years to come. And I am not exagerating here.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Every step of fed's career has been calculated. Every behavior.... When you wake up and realize fed and nad acted the way they did for the millions upon millions they got....

Some people call that "professionalism". Behaving and speaking in a certain way so as to grease the wheels of your own success? Who here doesn't do this everyday in your own career? If not, they should start. Amazing how things like being a team player, showing a little humility (even if false), speaking and acting in a certain way, channeling anger and frustration in a productive way, etc, go a long way toward success in any career field. Yes, even doing things like this when you don't feel like it, even when, dare I say, it is "inauthentic".

Djokovic is getting better at this. Unfortunately, his early missteps have been etched in YouTube stone for the world to see forever. Verbally sparing with Andy Roddick in post match interviews, etc. Yes, every athlete feels like that sometimes. But you'll never see Federer or Nadal doing that in front of the public, even though I'm sure, as highly competitive athletes, they have had some outbursts off camera in private. Why? I guess self awareness from an early age. Maybe they were "coached" in this regard. I don't know. But that's how you do it. In tennis and in other fields.

 

[joekapa]

Some people call that "professionalism". Behaving and speaking in a certain way so as to grease the wheels of your own success? Who here doesn't do this everyday in your own career? If not, they should start. Amazing how things like being a team player, showing a little humility (even if false), speaking and acting in a certain way, channeling anger and frustration in a productive way, etc, go a long way toward success in any career field. Yes, even doing things like this when you don't feel like it, even when, dare I say, it is "inauthentic".

Djokovic is getting better at this. Unfortunately, his early missteps have been etched in YouTube stone for the world to see forever. Verbally sparing with Andy Roddick in post match interviews, etc. Yes, every athlete feels like that sometimes. But you'll never see Federer or Nadal doing that in front of the public, even though I'm sure, as highly competitive athletes, they have had some outbursts off camera in private. Why? I guess self awareness from an early age. Maybe they were "coached" in this regard. I don't know. But that's how you do it. In tennis and in other fields.

Meh.

I think there is MUCH more to their popularity, than their so called "professionalism". To much money involved. Murray has outbusrts, but rarely the media hubub that followed Djokovic after the USO outburst against Roddick.
Pete Sampras, made both Nadal and Federer seem like Satan's children. But yet he never had the crowd, media, sponsorship respect to go with it. Why ?
It all goes with what they want to "push". Companies and tennis establishment combined. During the post Mcenroe years, they were looking for a new bad boy, and out pops Agassi.
During the Federer/Nadal years, it seems that companies took a more "classy" turn. Preferring to keep it a sport for the "upper echelons" of the playing/paying public.

This doesn't mean much to me to be honest. Who said the crowd is always right ? Who said that the crowd should always be respected for that matter ? Why should they be ?

I prefer characters like Fognini.....and even a younger Djokovic. Why shouldn't I ? I mean, apart from Kyrgios's stupid comment, I prefer his honest approach to journalists. **** 'em. Most are payed mouthpieces anyway.

 

[ruerooo]

Lopez should get into full time modeling, he could earn a lot.

He's actually done some shoots in the past. Even a couple of telenovelas.

IMO, Feli's much more interesting when he gets serious about his tennis.

 

[RanchDressing]

Some people call that "professionalism". Behaving and speaking in a certain way so as to grease the wheels of your own success? Who here doesn't do this everyday in your own career? If not, they should start. Amazing how things like being a team player, showing a little humility (even if false), speaking and acting in a certain way, channeling anger and frustration in a productive way, etc, go a long way toward success in any career field. Yes, even doing things like this when you don't feel like it, even when, dare I say, it is "inauthentic".

Djokovic is getting better at this. Unfortunately, his early missteps have been etched in YouTube stone for the world to see forever. Verbally sparing with Andy Roddick in post match interviews, etc. Yes, every athlete feels like that sometimes. But you'll never see Federer or Nadal doing that in front of the public, even though I'm sure, as highly competitive athletes, they have had some outbursts off camera in private. Why? I guess self awareness from an early age. Maybe they were "coached" in this regard. I don't know. But that's how you do it. In tennis and in other fields.

Yeah, no. Fed has had a few outbursts oncourt himself. Novak gets media bashed for weeks for yelling at a ball girl out of frusteration, yet fed swears at the umpire and whines like a little baby for a late challenge in the final of a major. There have been reports that he gloats quite a bit privately. We've seen his on court intimidation attempts on a few opponents, and he's always seemed to throw fits in stressful or tight matches for years and years now.

Is he being "professional" yes. But, the media doesn't highlight his negative character traits nearly as much as they do for other players. As other people have said this isn't the first time that's happened either. Looking back at agassi and sampras, same thing. Everyone hated on agassi because the media focused in on his flaws as a person, while they seemingly ignored sampras's.

Like if kyrgious said the exact things roger did at the uso delpo match, they'd have impaled him and lit him on fire. Yet fed does it, and most broadcasters either completely ignore it, or apologize for swearing because it's live and players get heated. Yet fed was whining like a freaking child

 

[Meles]

Maybe. Most crowds are stupid though. Looking at chest thumping, or haistyles to decide who their favorite or non favorite is. Takes away the essence of what is happening on court.

To prove the point. This years Wimby final against Federer. The crowd was atrocious, even cheering unforced errors made by Djokovic. Star studded attendance, who were there more for publicity than anything else. Djokovic's celebration after he won, was a great F.U to the crowd. It was like he had a huge sword, and did a 360 degree turn, and cut their heads off in one swoop. I don't think he even thanked them in the post match interview. Why should he ? Man was that pleasing. He wasn't so much playing against Federer as he was against the crowd.

I think that match will be studied and tought to students of sports psychology, for years to come. And I am not exagerating here.

Yikes. He has to expect this or he is not very smart. Nadal gets a little upset with the French crowd, but if he comes back in 3 or 4 years and makes a run, they'll probably go crazy for him. Djokovic is not helping himself if he reacts in an overtly negative way to the crowd. His admirable determination and focus in the last year seems to be degenerating into something ugly. The whole thing with the player box is out of hand (and not just Nole). This is supposed to be an individual sport. Looking to the box for call advise on Hawkeye detracts from this. The ridiculous one way dialogues with the box belong in the Psychiatrist office. It does not project a good image for the sport. Its really hard to make a call on these things and I suppose winning is the number one thing, but I can't believe he and Murray's ranting helps their games much. I imagine this also may drive away some sponsor money.

I greatly appreciate Novak and like his attempts to promote the support. Overall he is a great ambassador for the sport (ditto Murray).

 

[Meles]

Some people call that "professionalism". Behaving and speaking in a certain way so as to grease the wheels of your own success? Who here doesn't do this everyday in your own career? If not, they should start. Amazing how things like being a team player, showing a little humility (even if false), speaking and acting in a certain way, channeling anger and frustration in a productive way, etc, go a long way toward success in any career field. Yes, even doing things like this when you don't feel like it, even when, dare I say, it is "inauthentic".

Djokovic is getting better at this. Unfortunately, his early missteps have been etched in YouTube stone for the world to see forever. Verbally sparing with Andy Roddick in post match interviews, etc. Yes, every athlete feels like that sometimes. But you'll never see Federer or Nadal doing that in front of the public, even though I'm sure, as highly competitive athletes, they have had some outbursts off camera in private. Why? I guess self awareness from an early age. Maybe they were "coached" in this regard. I don't know. But that's how you do it. In tennis and in other fields.

Sounds like immaturity. Jimmy Conners wrote the book on it. Djoker still has a very dark temper that has got to repel the fans in a huge way when watching.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

It's is cooling down for the semi and final matches. Cooler weather great for Djoko as he hates the heat and will also slow the court speed down a bit. Perfect timing. Djoko 2nd U.S. Open title on the way!

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Djoker looks vulnerable to attacking tennis, good chance for Federer if he faces Djokovic in the final.

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

Djokovic showed almost no emotion in that match which is rare and played pretty bad, I noticed his wife was almost crying in the stadium after the match point she looked really nervous, i am wondering if there is something we dont know here

 

[cronus]

His tennis works, too.
Whatever peels your banana

"Puked inside my mouth" That was just a suggestion, did not intend to get this vibe from you, go find some one else.

 

[junior74]

"Puked inside my mouth" That was just a suggestion, did not intend to get this vibe from you, go find some one else.

Eh, I didn't sense any vibe. Sorry to disappoint you...
I was pointing out that what works for him, is probably the tennis.

 

[Enga]

Djokovic showed almost no emotion in that match which is rare and played pretty bad, I noticed his wife was almost crying in the stadium after the match point she looked really nervous, i am wondering if there is something we dont know here

His wife recently gave birth... for most couples thats a turbulent and emotional time. I dunno if she was crying but if she was, probably has something to do with that

 

[Deleted member 688153]

You think so? Nole's been a little spacey out there tonight probably due to the humidity.. Of course, it may have something to do with playing Lopez.

Please log on.

 

[Gazelle]

Maybe if Djokovic stopped those aggressive celebrations whenever he beats Federer people might like him more. Beating crowd favorite Fed is one thing (after all Nadal has done that many times), but proceeding to 'punch' the disappointed spectators in the face is something else (which Nadal has never done).

 

[user]

Maybe if Djokovic stopped those aggressive celebrations whenever he beats Federer people might like him more. Beating crowd favorite Fed is one thing (after all Nadal has done that many times), but proceeding to 'punch' the disappointed spectators in the face is something else (which Nadal has never done).

Crowd favorite... Punching disappointed "spectators" in the face... You're talking about this:

Or this:

 

[merwy]

Crowd favorite... Punching disappointed "spectators" in the face... You're talking about this:

I wonder if he actually didn't feel like celebrating wildly for a change, or if he did that on purpose to please the tennis fans who were criticizing him for celebrating like that.

 

[Meles]

I wonder if he actually didn't feel like celebrating wildly for a change, or if he did that on purpose to please the tennis fans who were criticizing him for celebrating like that.

The chest thumping stuff, etc. has never been appealing. He's contained it now, but probably has hurt his bank account with sponsors. Muzziah cursing like sailor another example.

 

[user]

I wonder if he actually didn't feel like celebrating wildly for a change, or if he did that on purpose to please the tennis fans who were criticizing him for celebrating like that.

We'll have to ask him, but IMO it had nothing to do with pleasing anybody. It felt more like a thing related to the fact that he finally did something he should have done few years ago, along with recognition of Becker's contribution (and the rest of his team) to his ability to stay so calm and focused throughout the match.