Feet of Clay
Ayyy! Did you see Rafael Nadal’s feet when he was treated for blisters at the Rome Open? The pain! And yet he went on playing even if he had good reason to quit. That’s quality. He does not taint the opponent’s victory by claiming injury or illness–even when it’s obvious. (Remember Pete Sampras at the US Open, throwing up during the match against Corretja? Oh right, he won that one.) Unlike certain players: dust rising from clay causing breathing problems, ha! (Federer fans, I know what you’re thinking because I’m thinking the same thing but let’s not say anything until it comes to pass.)
Shouldn’t Rafa’s shoe sponsor Nike design footwear specifically for his requirements? He does more running and jumping than nearly everyone else, more sliding on clay. Obviously his feet need more cushioning and friction protection than most. Blister-proof socks? Then again Rafa himself pointed out that the tour schedule is insane.
Update. See? Just by saying “Don’t say it” you jinx it. Fortunately that’s not what I was thinking. The illogic of superstition, very Heisenberg. Is it possible to serve and volley to victory on clay? Can the fastest game win on the slowest court, can impatience win on the surface that requires patience? Radek Stepanek (wasn’t he engaged to Martina Hingis?) thinks so. In the 90s Patrick Rafter served and volleyed his way to the semis at the French. Then he lost to a grinder, Bruguera, and then Guga won the final. I miss Guga.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
May 9th, 2008 at 23:20
In my list of top 5 anti-Djokovic matches, the 1996 US Open quarterfinal match between Sampras and Corretja definitely ranks up there.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:14
I see your ‘LOVE’ for Djokotard :p Me either, Nole is becoming more annoying.. or maybe Im just bitter?! *shrug* What I dont like about Djoko is the lack of respect or should I say sarcasm towards Roger!
Btw, Roger lost to Mr. Worm *rolleyes* Sure the media would be grilling him again! *sigh*
May 10th, 2008 at 11:44
What about the one where Sampras wept through the last set vs. Courier? By the way, tennis has seen some monster parents, and this could still be a case of someone needing emancipation.
May 10th, 2008 at 13:48
The Sampras vs. Courier epic 5-setter at the 1995 Australian Open is certainly one of the greatest anti-Djokovic matches. Both players were cramping and suffered from blisters. Sampras wept during the fifth set after a fan shouted for him to win the match for his coach, Tim Gullikson, who left Australia the day before the match after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.
As for the Djoker’s parents, mum Dijana reportedly uttered these infamous words after Djokovic won against Federer at the Aussie Open: The king is dead. Now, I could be wrong, but I think the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.
May 10th, 2008 at 17:51
Radek Stepanek was engaged to Martina Hingis. Apparently, he dumped her. He’s now with Nicole Vaidisova (unless someone else took him away again already)
May 11th, 2008 at 04:59
Pity the fans who watched the semifinal matches at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia tournament (aka Rome Masters). Both Andy Roddick and Radek Stepanek retired in their respective matches without winning a single game. Thought bubble above Rafa says “Welcome to the club!”.
An AP report about the historical “retirement party” (a first in the history of the Masters Series) concluded with this iffy forecast: In the meantime, there is still the men’s final Sunday. Djokovic holds a 3-2 career edge over Wawrinka, who won their only previous matchup on clay two years ago—when Djokovic withdrew with breathing problems.