The current furore surrounding the England Rugby team and their bungee jumping antics during a management approved day off following a bruising victory over Argentina in the World Cup predictably brought a heated debate over the merits of such an activity. It was always going to; we have a regular habit in this country of enjoying a dig or two at our sportsmen and women especially when they’re out there enjoying themselves after producing a sub standard performance for their country in a major event.Yet at least the England Rugby team were off duty during their controversial episode, contrast that with one person who wasn’t when his behaviour over the weekend was also the subject of many a column inch. Novak Djokovic’s achievement in winning the US Open was quite an outstanding one and put a sweet seal on a hugely successful season where he scooped two of the other three tennis ‘majors’ and so far has lost just two matches.
D-jok ing aside
His triumph and continued domination over the tennis scene has rightfully received warm acclaim from all quarters, yet his on court antics during the tournament caused a stir as well, but this time on the opposite side of the Atlantic, Novak’s uniquely entertaining nature endeared him to a new set of fans.
The big Serb has always displayed a touch of eccentricity around the tennis courts of the world, impressions of fellow players, chewing the Wimbledon turf, at Flushing Meadow he introduced hip hop dancing to his repertoire and the ever excitable American fans loved it. Djokovic’s showman ways were made for New York, a tennis audience who traditionally love their winners are also fond of a bit of tomfoolery.
Top of the world at last
It’s been a hard road to the very top for Novak. Men’s tennis has probably never been stronger with two titans, Federer and Nadal dominating the game for the best part of the last decade. For a few years it looked like Djokovic, rather like our own Andy Murray was reluctantly accepting a permanent role as a brave runner up or more often than not a losing semi-finalist. That was until 2011 as a new positive, aggressive, fist pumping Serb came to the party and set about changing the world order. This he achieved with some breath taking power tennis, plus with an every growing fun attitude that many watchers previously considered as arrogance, nothing like a few grand slam titles to change a few perceptions.
When your smiling..
Novak now plays tennis with a smile on his face, and why not, only he can know just how much time and effort have been spent on the practice courts in order to reach the pinnacle of the game. Now he’s there he’s determined to enjoy it as he alluded to after his epic win over Nadal. In doing so he won over an American crowd starved of home success who were more than happy to embrace this cheeky new legend into their midst. Whether the more reserved Wimbledon audience, who always appreciate great tennis but tend to frown at anything but normal behaviour will be whooping and hollering at Djokovic’s excesses in 2012 is rather less likely.
Sport needs its entertainers like bungee jumpers need rope; its how they are perceived that is the question, one things for certain, Djokovic’s US Open 2011 is sure to end up as one of the enduring highlights of this year.
Philip Nicholas - I am 45 years old, living with my partner and two kids in Leek, Staffordshire. My writing career has only just taken off in the last few ...
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