New Yorkers have a good memory when somebody is perceived to have treated them with disrespect and they tend not to forget. So Novak Djokovic is aware he needs to go on a major charm offensive to win back the tennis fans of Flushing Meadows who took him to their heart two years ago but booed him off the court on his last visit.
For those in other parts of the world whose recollections have grown a little fuzzy, things got fractious at last year’s US Open. Djokovic arrived at the year’s concluding Grand Slam weary and a little frazzled, and being a person who normally says exactly what’s on his mind. So anyone who wanted to listen were supplied with a catalogue of all his various aches and pains.
Quarter final opponent Andy Roddick, humorously mimicked by arch impersonator Djokovic, saw the opportunity to get his own back and being the darling of the Big Apple crowd, he appreciated he was on pretty safe ground. So when asked to comment on the Serb’s state of health, the American responded: “I’ve got to feel good, he’s got about 16 injuries, back and hip, cramp, bird flu, anthrax. Even Sars.”
In those days before bird flu mention of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was tantamount to politically incorrect and designed to cause offense. Djokovic, who had suffered his share of breathing problems and needed surgery to ease his sinuses, took the bait. What he didn’t realise, thinking he was still guaranteed to be warmly received as the previous year’s runner-up, was the measure of the crowd’s support for Roddick.
When he took a medical time-out, the crowd got riled. When he got hold of the on-court microphone after beating Roddick in four sets, he dug himself even deeper into trouble. “They’re already against me because they think I’m faking everything,” he said, immediately making himself public enemy No 1.
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A year on and few people around Flushing Meadows, either those up in the high seats who normally concentrate on the fortunes of the Jets, Mets, Giants, Knicks or Yankees are still ready to berate the fourth seed or the more discerning watchers lower down who follow tennis all year round, see Djokovic as a true contender to collect a second Grand Slam title to the one who won in Australia at the beginning of last year. Roger Federer seems the man, Andy Murray the biggest threat and the patriotic vote is again behind Roddick after his noble Wimbledon campaign.
If Djokovic is sensible that should be just perfect for him. Certainly he still has the game to live with the very best on a hard court even if his other Grand Slam performances this year (a quarter-final retirement through heat exhaustion in his Australian title defence, a disappointing third round exit in straight sets at Roland Garros and a Wimbledon quarter defeat against veteran Tommy Haas) seem to suggest otherwise.
A total of just seven unforced errors in the ruthless 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 first round destruction of long-time top ten player Ivan Ljubcic in addition to nine aces, not a single double fault and considerably more success than failure on approaches to the net, suggested that Djokovic’s game is back firing on all cylinders.
His acquisition of the distinctly unexcitable Todd Martin as part of the coaching team is also curious. Sensible, measured, imperturbable, the tall and thoroughly likeable American, who reached the US Open final ten years ago, is the complete opposite to his new employer. While Djokovic has more than once got himself in trouble by saying or doing something and then sitting down to think about the consequences later, Martin never does anything without a considerable period of introspection. Some used to nearly fall asleep waiting for his answers in press conferences during his pomp, so careful was Martin on coming up with the right answer. The Ying to Djokovic’s Yang as some would say in these parts.
Martin has only been in the Djokovic corner for little more than a week but doubtless one of his first nuggets of advice was not to alienate himself any further with the New York crowd. Smiles, waves and concerted autograph signing after the win showed just how Djokovic was willing to compromise. He did not exactly kiss any babies but then again none were proffered from the front row of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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To Djokovic’s way of thinking last year’s problems were comparable to a minor domestic squabble. “Just a little fight with a girlfriend,” he said. “These things happen. It was something that everybody can learn from it.”
New Yorkers don’t like to be taught lessons by people with whom they are not particularly enamoured. But the way Djokovic has started, the might be forced to revise their opinions. It’s an interesting situation. Keep an eye on it.