Tennis

Novak Djokovic Has An ‘Eye of The Tiger’

"I don’t know why I ate the grass. I felt like an animal! I wanted to see how it tastes. It came spontaneously. I didn’t plan to do it. I didn’t know what to do in all my excitement and joy."

—Novak Djokovic describing his wild rite on centre-court on winning Wimbledon for the first time.

Perhaps, the slim Serb was feeling like a tiger—admittedly a grass-chewing one.

Survivor wrote a song for Rocky III in 1982 called the ‘Eye of The Tiger’.

The lyrics could very well depict the Djoker’s elation at achieving a long-held dream.

Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger (As Is Version)

Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It’s the, eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger…

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry
They stack the odds still we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive

It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger…

Risin’ up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive

It’s the, eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger…

The eye of the tiger…
The eye of the tiger…
The eye of the tiger…
The eye of the tiger…

Quote of the day:
A coupla months in the laboratory can save a coupla hours in the library. – Westheimer’s Discovery

Underwear, one-way streets and Central European champions

“Bjorn Loves John”—that’s what will be emblazoned on Bjorn Borg’s new line of underwear.

Mac the Mouth disclosed that he has donned the Borg name under his pants for the past 10 years. Now, he has a chance to get his own back.

The former champs are serious.

But John, why wear those undies beneath your clothes? Wear them over  like a modern-day superhero where those labels are visible to all and sundry.

A better idea would be for Bjorn to launch a special edition of ‘Borg loves Nadal’ when the Spaniard equals Bjorn’s record of 11 majors.

For a man who is immensely flattered to be compared to the inimitable Swede, there could be no bigger compliment.

But then, Armani might not be too happy about it.

For now, it’s merely a ‘Perfect 10’  for the Mallorcan.

Rafael Nadal was on his way to a third Wimbledon title and his 11th major, until he turned into a one-way path—‘Djokovic Street’. Unfortunately, traffic was not flowing his way.

The Serbian knocked out the defending champion in four sets, a thorough demolition of the man who would be ‘GOAT’. Is there a chance that we might soon be saying the same of Nadal, that he is the best ever except he was not the best of his generation?

That’s assuming the Djoker can sustain his spell of excellence and attain a stranglehold over his senior—by a year.

We shall see.

Did you know?

Petra Kvitova is the first Czech woman since Jana Novotna—in 1998—to win Wimbledon.

Jan Kodes was the last Czech man to triumph at Wimbledon in 1973 representing the erstwhile Czechoslovakia.

Novak Djokovic is the first Serbian to win the men’s title. He is the first man from a Central European country to win the title since Croatian Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.

No Central European ‘pair’ have lifted the singles title in the same year.

Quote of the day:
In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it’s the exact opposite. – Paul Dirac

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

‘It’s hilarious. It happens three or four times a match. I don’t find it amusing.’

Andy Murray is not amused that some fans think it a gag to start a ‘Come on, Tim’ chorus whenever he plays at Wimbledon—an obvious reference to his predecessor Tim Henman, who made four Wimbledon semis without making a single final.

What he really meant:

“Aw, come on, chaps. Tim’s retired, besides he never got to a Slam final. I have three appearances.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Now, you know why I grew a beard this year. I was hoping they wouldn’t recognise me and leave me alone.”

“You do know, it’s not called ‘Henman Hill’ anymore.’Murray Mound’, it is!”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"I think it’s about time she stopped that nonsense. Makes me want to throw up. It’s disgusting,"

Andy Murray is disgusted that his mother, Judy, named his hitting partner and quarter-final opponent, Feliciano Lopez, ‘Deliciano’, a moniker that stuck. Murray embarrassed his mother by then telling Lopez that his mother thought him ‘beautiful’ and asked for a picture of them together.

What he really meant:

“You’re embarrassing me, Mother. Stop.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Why couldn’t she come up with a nickname like that for me or Jaime?”

Maria Sharapova: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“I don’t think I would allow that (laughter).”

Maria Sharapova does not tell her boyfriend Sasha Vujacic how to play basketball and likewise will not permit him to advise her on the intricacies of tennis.

What she really meant:

“I’m the tennis player—not Sasha.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“It’s rocket science.”

Martina Navratilova: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

 

What she said:

“It’s the way the game is played now. The two hander will rule, no doubt in my mind. Unfortunately, it’s a beautiful thing that’s kind of passe.”

Martina Navratilova agrees that as the game progresses it becomes harder and harder for a player with a single-handed backhand to triumph against two-handed backhand players.

What she really meant:

“A single-handed backhand player? Soon to be extinct—a museum for him or her, perhaps?”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Federer still rules.”

Wimbledon 2011: A tale of four finalists

Two finals. Four finalists.

Two have won Wimbledon before. Two have not.

Three of the four are 25 or nearabouts. The fourth is 21.

The 25-year-olds have 15 majors between them. The fourth has none.

The 24-year-olds have 15 majors between them. The fourth has none.

Three insiders , so to speak. One palpable outsider.

The three champions’s names are B/R keywords. Petra Kvitova’s is not.

The former champions are favourites in their respective match-ups. One more than the other.

Their challengers are similar, yet different.

Novak Djokovic is the World No.1. ATP rankings on Monday will reflect his new status.

For Czech Petra Kvitova, it is her first major final. She reached the semis last year.

The Djoker has a better chance of upsetting the odds and dethroning current champion, Rafael Nadal.

Kvitova, however, can only hope that Maria Sharapova will leave her A-game in the locker room to stand a chance of clinching her first ever major.

Sharapova has not dropped a set in her march to the finals.

Rafael Nadal has not been as dominant but he is yet a formidable force.

Novak Djokovic regained the momentum of his 41 match unbeaten streak.

To lose just once, this year, a loss to Roger Federer in the French Open semi-final takes some doing.

Knocking over the Majorcan in a Wimbledon final will require some more mojo.

If anyone can dismantle the Spaniard, it is the Serb.

An old champion in the women’s draw is predicted; a second Wimbledon title for Maria Sharapova beckons.

The stage is set. Let play commence.

What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure. Samuel Johnson

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Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“If I’d known they were coming, I would have shaved (smiling). I was thinking to myself as I came off I was sweaty and very hairy. I said to them, I’m sorry, I’m a bit sweaty.”

Andy Murray was unaware that the Royal Couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, would grace his fourth round match against Richard Gasquet. He would have have shaved his straggly beard—had he known.

What he really meant:

“Grimy, sweaty, beardy, and now I have to curtsey?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Where’s my Gilette razor?”

Roger Federer: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Sports is good. Any sports. Just not boxing maybe. I struggle to watch that stuff in the first place. Even though it’s a nice sport…”

Roger Federer believes that all sport is good, except maybe boxing.

What he really meant:

“Sports has been kind to me.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’d rather box Nadal.”

Serena Williams:What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“I’m more devastated than ever.I’m just a much better actress now." 

Serena Williams is a reporter’s delight despite her early loss to Marion Bartoli in the fourth round at Wimbledon. The only thing that could upset her on a tennis court is facing “Nadal at the French Open. That would drive me insane.”

What she really meant:

“I’m better at masking my emotions now. Isn’t that what grown-ups do?”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Where’s my Emmy?”