Sunday’s US Open men’s final is a hard one to predict, not least when it comes to the crowd’s allegiances.
On the one hand, you have Novak Djokovic, the all-time legend who has just ousted successive Americans – and put 20-year-old Ben Shelton in his place on Friday with a pointed “hang up the phone” celebration.
On the other, there’s Daniil Medvedev, the eccentric Russian who has made a habit of baiting the New York fans. After his own semi-final win over Carlos Alcaraz, Medvedev told the on-court interviewer that “a thousand Spanish guys started screaming between first and second serves … They can go to sleep now”. As the 1980s legend Pam Shriver had told him during an earlier interview, “You’re a piece of work.”
Most neutrals had been expecting Alcaraz – a far more wholesome character –
to defend his title here. Or at least to reach what would have been a highly marketable final against Djokovic, thus completing a trilogy of summer blockbusters after their recent classics at Wimbledon and Cincinnati.
Instead, this is like a Marvel movie where the studio forgot to book the hero, and ended up with a pair of supervillains instead.
The denouement is entirely in character for US Open, however, as this tournament always seems to throw up a surprise. We are talking about the slam where Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both entered the draw on 14 occasions without ever facing each other on the court. In 2008, Nike even hired boxing promoter Don King to promote a ridiculous”Battle at the Apples”fight;This arrogant attitude backfired.
While some fans may feel cheated by Friday’s development, there is every reason to expect a good game on Sunday. Medvedev defeated Djokovic in straight sets in the 2021 final, so he should not be afraid.Even though they share resentments,both characters are attractive,talkative and complex.
In Djokovic’s case, pointing his cell phone at Shelton caused a lot of discussion on social media. This is a direct imitation of the celebration Shelton used after defeating Frances Tiafoe in the previous match. No wonder the handshake that took place a few minute slater was cooler than the ice bath waiting in the locker room.
Is this move necessary? Of course not.But it isalsoeffective,challenging, and most importantly , real. This shows Djokovic’s competitive and competitive nature more clearly than the sugaryversionshe’s shown in the past, particularly his broken-hearted celebration at the end of each match.
Despite all the great things Federer and Nadal have done for tennis, their brotherhood and relationshiparenotlikeeveryoneelse’s.Thissuitsthempersonally,as they are both motivated by good intentions. Federer loves tennis, Nadal loves all kinds of matches.
But most players have to find their reason elsewhere. They suffer from neglect by critics, skeptics and naysayers.Successful athletes often have a healthy dose of darkness inside them, and there’s nothing wrong with showing it.
Now that Federer and Nadal never go on tour, Djokovic,Medvedev and others are finally relaxing and giving up such ideas.God’s hope.Friday’s semi-final was an example of this. Shelton was fantastic,electrifying the crowd and putting his hands over his ears after taking a few breaks in the third round.Whydon’tyou give him something in return?
These moves show that Djokovic has recently renewed his public image and his tennis game.It’s only been four years since Nick Kyrgios saidon the No Challenge podcast that he had a”fanatic obsession” with Djokovic. He just wants to be like Roger…His celebration after the match was very appropriate.”
Today, Djokovic is ready to be the villain in the pantomime, whether that means facing the crowd or showing his tough side to his opponents.-Fritz,said the house discussions after his victory over No.1 American Taylor on Tuesday. “I really thrive on this energy. Whatever energy is, I use it as fuel.”
This is a quote from Medvedev’s famous quote for Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2019: “I want you all to know that when you go to bed tonight, I’m doing it because you won.”
>Little As the champion of a country, the player who broke up Federer and Nadal’s love affair, Djokovic is not the most popular of the two stories, but he will still win many big things. .
>But on the contrary, if he still shows his conflict, it will make his fans grow. Arrogance is more attractive than practice. If his example inspires some people to follow the same path, so much the better. Games rarely continue to be boring.