Howdy. I just got off the red-eye from Las Vegas a few hours ago, where I had a pleasant, illuminating time with Andre Agassi. This of course meant that I was out of action for a bit during the Australian Open, but last night at 10:30 PM I was sitting in an airport sports bar watching Novak Djokovic bludgeon David Ferrer. I've always felt antipathetic toward Ferrer and this match didn't change my mind, despite Ferrer's spirited play in the late stages of the third set.
To me, Ferrer is the "new" Davydenko, which isn't a bad thing by any means. But I just don't see the game and most decidedly not the spirit or body language, of a Grand Slam champion in-waiting. Part of my problem with the Ferrers of this world is that they seem to play their best when their backs are pressed to the wall and, thus, they have nothing to lose. I'm not reading too much into yesterday's match, it's just this feeling I have about the guy. I know what he's accomplished this fall, and he deserves respect for it.
But I'm not sold on Ferrer, long-term. I've seen too many guys who dash about like mad and put up a spectacular fight, but always at times when there's no real pressure. They let the big dog have the bone, and then they harass and nip at his hocks for hours instead of allowing him to chew it in piece. I see this all the time and it annoys me. And what's with that gold paperweight hanging around Ferrer's neck?
Andre, BTW, has a very high regard for Djokovic. He's been watching the event in Melbourne, sometimes in the company of his wife, Steffi. "Our TV has been on Tennis Channel, all day, since the start of the tournament," Andre told me. "It's the only time we have the TV on for such long stretches. Otherwise, it's off unless we have something specific we want to watch."
One of the great things about Andres is that he loves the game and makes no bones about it. It's funny how many players, both male and female, seem to leave the game swearing that they have no ongoing interest in it. It's time to start a new chapter in life, they say, with all the conviction - and sometimes hauteur - of the reformed. I often take that as a sign of insecurity, as if they're dying to prove to the world that they're "more" than tennis players - by denying the importance of the game in their lives, and that it means anything substantial to them. It's interesting that Andre, who has many, many other things going on in his life, is so - what, centered? reconciled? - to the identity that shaped him in our eyes. This is one secure guy.
Posting here will be sporadic for the next few days, as I have this massive Q-and-A with Andre to prepare, on deadline, for Tennis. But I will be around. [[note: the Thursday event that I originally mentioned here is no longer taking place, as there is not tennis until 3:30 AM EST]].
I will give you a proper post on Andre, probably right after the Australian Open ends.