More Novak thoughts

So something quite interesting, to say the least, happened yesterday with Novak. Here is a quick sumup:

- Novak calls for 2 injury timeouts during his match vs. Robredo
- Media thinks Novak is faking his injuries, using timeouts as gamesmanship
- Robredo says Novak puts on a show and is quick to call trainer
- After media prodding, Andy Roddick makes a joke saying Novak has "16 injuries" including "SARS, bird flu" and also says he may be quick to call trainer
- Media makes more articles, implying that Roddick means that Novak is faking and that "everyone" is doubting Novak
- Novak in his post-match interview reacts and says he thinks the crowd is against him because they think he was faking injuries
- Andy says it was clearly a joke and that Novak should be able to handle it
- Novak apologizes for his post-match interview but retains that he is honest and is hurt by the accusations

So, Novak. You are stuck in a hole right now and people are trying to bury you while you try to climb out. Not a good situation. But don't worry, the people who really liked you still like you, including me. Because these people are sick of the "gentlemen" tennis that is going around. Why do you have to be nice to each other when you don't like each other? As long as you aren't cheating, who says that you even need to smile at the net? We know that you like certain people more than others, and vice versa. Why can't it be out in the open? We don't need a "farce" anymore - maybe some people like to believe the tennis world is a happy place for everyone. Um, hello? Not everyone wants to be considered #3 or lower behind Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Some people want to be the best - is that wrong?

It's funny that Novak gets into all this shit for doing what he does, being who he is. I hate certain things about him, but yesterday's performance emphasized those things I hate about him as well as those things I love about him. For once he was being who he is - reactive, sensitive, confident, a bit self-centered and ignorant. The things I want for myself - to be more honest with myself - is what he was showing everyone out on that court yesterday. I'm sick of being "polite" and so is he. And I feel for him, because he's having a hard time shaking off the ridiculous nature of his parents, which some of has been impressed on him (I might have ranted about this before someone on my blog, since it pisses me off to realize how much of my parents I carry with me for unknown reasons). Seriously, do you expect him to estrange himself from his parents, despite how ridiculous they are? When they, despite their crazy statements and actions, may be the only ones who will always support him no matter what happens? When they were the ones who let him be who he is now, sacrificing so he could go to the Pilic Academy and become a professional tennis player? Tell me how many people would, in his situation, just cut ties with his parents right now and hope casual fans will give him support during the loneliest of times. Like if he has a career-ending injury right now - how many people would stick by him?

But really, in the end Novak is paying for "mistakes" he made before. For being the first to really declare that he'd do anything to win. For being the first to really say that he doesn't give Roger the utmost respect on court and wants to take him down. For doing imitations and having them posted on Youtube, and then trying to please a crowd when U.S. TV asks him to do some. How many people would do the same as him? Especially in the last instance, how players would go on U.S. TV and absolutely refuse to do imitations when asked, especially players wanting to win over the crowd. "No, sorry. I rather not piss other players off." How many of them have the foresight? Because the imitations only became an "issue" once Novak did them on TV.

I think in a way that Novak is "meant" to be hated. People don't like how he wants to break up the "harmony" between Roger and Rafa (which is more important than when Roger and Andy were 1-2 because Andy fucking bowed down to Roger like no other during that time). Now I want Novak to "embrace" those thoughts, "Michael Phelps" his way to the title by using their accusations and "hatred" as ammunition. I mean, the only way people are going to believe he is injured now is if he shows some actual damage - like discoloring or blood or swelling, while almost every other player gets the benefit of the doubt. He's only going to shake the "faker" label if he dies on court or something. Even if he never has to take an injury timeout again - unless he is showing some damage, he'll always be the "faker" to people. Even Jelena could be faking her life away and Novak will always be the "faker". So Novak just needs to be himself, say "Fuck you" to everyone and win some more slams. Take that, haters!