After obliterating Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 in the US Open fourth round last night, Novak Djokovic finally returned to his impersonating ways taking on legend John McEnroe and even screaming his iconic line, "You cannot be serious!" before hitting a few serves.
JMac was calling the match for ESPN and was in the booth during the performance. He came down, khakis and all, to hit a few balls with the Serb.
Only in New York. GREAT stuff boys. And to Nole: so good to see you having fun out there again. THIS is why fans fell in love with you in the first place, not to mention your explosive game. Keep it up.
Thanks Jyocka!
UPDATE: Here's coach Nole giving an instructional to TIME.com showcasing his technique for the serve, forehand, backhand, dropshot, overhead smash, and return of serve. He's of course challenged to do an impression - guess which one he decided to do? Fine - just watch the vid.
(via spatzlelg)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
(UPDATED) VIDEO VAULT: Nole finally gets funny again, does his best JMac
VIDEO VAULT: Kimmie updates fans before US Open quarterfinal battle
Kim Clijsters, who has a tremendous opportunity to reach the US Open semifinals when she faces China's Na Li today, gives fans an update in this video message.
The Belgian lady baller seems pretty relaxed. I'd love to buy a bottle of that feeling to take before my matches - and those are just in the park. Ugh.
(video via clijsterstube's channel)
Monday, September 7, 2009
Mels knocks out Nads while OudinFam brings the water works
No. 4? Check.
Melanie Oudin's fairytale run at this year's US Open has continued in stellar form as the 17-year old made her first Grand Slam quarterfinal defeating 13th seed Nadia Petrova 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3. It was the American giant killer's fourth consecutive Russian scalp after already taking out Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Elena Dementieva, and former champ Maria Sharapova in the previous rounds.
A more confident-sound Mels told the press aftewards,
It's kind of hard to explain how I've done it. Today, there were no tears because I believed I can do it. Now I know I do belong here. This is what I want to do. I can compete with these girls no matter who I'm playing. I have a chance against anyone.
She'll face either '04 champ Svetlana Kuznetsova or Caroline Wozniacki for a spot in the final four.
Mels' mom Leslie has been in attendance the entire tourney but father John, twin sister Katherine, who blogged about watching her sister slay Shrieka for NY Times' Straight Sets, and younger sister Christina made the trip today.
Okay full disclosure: I already spewed a few tears after her big win Saturday but seeing her family in tears today, too?
Just kill me.
*grabs kleenex*
(Photos: Getty)
USTA offers apology for Dinara dust up
The USTA has offered an apology for the handling of Dinara Safina's third round match which saw the top lady baller ousted by Petra Kvitova.
The Russian, whose match was first up that evening, was none too pleased about being moved to Louis Armstrong so James Blake's match could be started.
According to WTA tour CEO Stacy Allaster,
The U.S.T.A. has acknowledged they should have notified Dinara and the players much earlier in the process of what was going to happen. I think they’ve apologized for that and I think that what’s most important now is we move forward. They’re going to look at their procedures and try to make sure that doesn’t happen again.Serena Williams was asked about the incident in her post-match presser and came to D's defense:
Q. Safina, because the day session ran long, her match was supposed to be the first on at night on Ashe got moved to Louis Armstrong. She was disappointed in that. She thought it was disrespectful that the women's match got moved. Any opinion on that? If placed in a situation like that, would you be upset?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, why didn't they move the men's match again? They were second on.
Q. She said they told her they wanted to give fans the chance to see a best of five set match and they moved her to Armstrong.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think that was just a good thing to tell her to silence her at that moment. But I have to take her side on this. I think that she was first on. She should've played at 7:00. They should have moved the men's match. Simple as that, that's how it should be done. If you're supposed to play a match, you're supposed to play it, and then you move the next match.
Firstly, nice to see the ladies' stick up for each other here even amongst all the smack talk that's been going around.
It was a total slap in the face to the top seed Dinara and I'm glad the USTA acknowledged their unfortunate mistake.
(Photo: Getty)
SIGHTING: Nicole + Keith need to get a room
Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and her musician hubby Keith Urban were spotted swapping spit during Roger Federer's imminent destruction of Tommy Robredo, who is currently down 2 sets and o-4 in the third set of their fourth round match at the US Open.
Clearly this boring match hasn't captured the couple's attention - or mine. Take me to Yawnsville.
(Photo: Getty)
PHOTO OP: Rafa + Shrieka take cover with Nike's AW77
Rafael Nadal + Maria Sharapova joined other Nike superstars including Sofia Boutella, Alexandre Pato, Manny Pacquiao, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to present the story of one of the brand's most iconic pieces: the AW77 .
The athletes were photographed by renowned photog David Sims, styled/directed by Karl Templer and were shot in three cities over four months, with each bringing their own personality and attitude to tell the story.
"I think in the end, the most important thing is being true to yourself, being honest with yourself. You know what you are doing wrong, then, you correct and improve," said Rafa. "Off the court, I see that being normal will help you be better on the court. I like more or less to feel comfortable with what I wear on and off the court. And I like to be well dressed.”
Check out more images from the campaign below and some behind-the-scenes action with Rafa here and with Shrieka here.
Thanks James!
Muzz, Rafa, ReRe and Rog leave a big impression
Illustrator/artist Vietnam the Movie, based out of Stroud in Gloucestershire, has come up with another series of impressionistic limited-edition prints of some our fave ballers including Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Roger Federer.
Letter to DtL readers: Happy Labor Day!
Just a quick "Happy Labor Day!" to those of you out there celebrating today.
Have a safe holiday and enjoy...
RiCH
Rafa, Kimmie, and Flavia overcome obstacles and injury to advance at UpSet Open
Rafael Nadal made his way into the US Open fourth round after defeating compatriot Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. But the bigger news was the re-aggravation of the stomach muscle injury he showed up with in Cincinnati. He and Nico both received treatment during the third set but The Matador was quick to dismiss any talk of injury in his post-match presser:
Q. What did the doctor say about your injury? Are you worried for the next matches?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't want to talk about injuries. Sorry. No, no, I am a little bit tired to talk about injuries. I am here to try my best every day.
I won the match in three sets, so happy for that. I'm going to try my best next round. That's all.
Q. You said you didn't want to talk about injuries. Was that your knee or the abdominal situation?
RAFAEL NADAL: I said I don't want to talk about injuries (laughter).
Q. Can you at least talk about how you felt after you got the treatment for the rest of the match?
RAFAEL NADAL: I won 6 4, so you can see I didn't serve very fast. But I think I played better from the baseline than before.
Q. We are used to see you much more cheerful, especially after a win. Today you answer as if you're not happy.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, but I know I came here and I know everybody want to talk about the injury. I really don't want to talk about that. That's the thing.
The stomach muscle issue seemed to hinder him a bit on his serve so it'll be interesting to see how this situation develops. The injury will most likely be tested when Rafa faces the Gael Monfils in a match sure to be athletic and acrobatic.
Kim Clijsters put a stamp on her return to the WTA tour when she ousted third seed Venus Williams 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 in a strange but emotional fourth round match. In 2005, the Belgian defeated the 2-time champ on her way to her first, and only, Grand Slam title so could it happen again? Like duh, of course! She's facing Na Li and holds a 3-1 lead in their H2H with a potential blockbuster Serena Williams semifinal lurking ahead.
On a side note, V's loss means ReRe is the only Top 5 seed left in the draw as well as being only 1 of 4 Top 10 seeds still alive after four rounds. Stunning.
Watch out for Flavia Pennetta who saved 6 match points in her 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-0 upset of seventh seed Vera Zvonareva. See what a little confidence can do for your game? And Flavia will need every bit of that confidence intact when she faces defending champ ReRe, who crushed a helpless Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-0, in the quarterfinals.
(Photos: Getty, AP)
Sunday, September 6, 2009
A-Rod + Dinara join other sidelined seeds at the UpSet Open
Upsets at this year's US Open are becoming as ubiquitous as those pesky double faults.
Andy Roddick's quest for a second US Open title came crashing down in defeat to compatriot John Isner 7-6 (3), 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 7-6 (5) in their third round match. He becomes the highest seeded casualty in the boys' draw so far. The giant American will now face Fernando Verdasco for a spot in the quarterfinals.
I'd say A-Rod is probably still dealing with some lingering effects from that epic loss to Roger Federer after his early exit here. It was definitely a winnable match for him but his confidence and self-belief may be a bit shaken at the moment.
Dinara Safina used up her last lifeline at Flushing Meadows late last night. After scraping through her first two matches, the top lady baller was unable to close out her third round match against Petra Kvitova and fell 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (5). Dinara even held three match points in the decider and couldn't seal the deal. The Sisters Sledge are the only ladies in the Top 5 to still be alive at the Open. Color me NOT shocked.
Clearly, this result is not surprising based on her recent results and sketchy serve of late. I feel for her, though, after her match was moved to Louis Armstrong so James Blake could play his on Arthur Ashe. Plus, all the talk of not D not deserving the WTA Penthouse keys has taken its toll but I think even she will have a hard time defending that stance now.
(Photos: Getty)
