Djokovic hits back at critics?

Question

ROME: Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic hit back at critics Sunday who said he is gaining a reputation of retiring from big matches.

The Serb pulled out of his match against top-ranked Roger Federer after falling behind 6-3, 3-2 in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals last weekend, complaining of dizziness and a sore throat.

Djokovic said tests afterward revealed he has strep throat.

"It's hurtful when people are talking like that," Djokovic said. "I'm very unhappy if that is my reputation. I'm a big fighter. Maybe I could have gone another three-four games and finish the match, but I think everyone saw how tough I was breathing."

Djokovic also retired while leading Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-3, 4-6 to hand Russia a 3-2 win over Serbia in the Davis Cup in February.

The above was just some of the article. Click the link below to read the rest and give me your take on it.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/04/sports/EU-SPT-TEN-Djokovic-Retirements.php

Answer 1

laugh out loud..seriously..

Answer 2

He's still a very talented player, and I hope he wins many more tournaments; he deserves them considering how hard he has worked.

Answer 3

mmmh! **cough cough**

its a sore throat people..and there were ,erm what? 3 or 2 games left to play?we were not born yesterday,we know a whining quiter when we see one.

Give me a break..geez!

*note:i like Djokovic's game.he plays awesome tennis, but his attitude? its the worst i've seen out there. anyone seen his post-match interview at the french open when he retired against Nadal and later claimed he was gonna win the match? "i was in control".i mean pleeasee.who says that c**p?*

Answer 4

he needs rest... maybe if he's already healthy again, he can be back on track again...

congratulations that he did his best even with an illness..

congratulations also to NADAL... for winning his 4th barcelona title.. vamos nadal!!! :)

Answer 5

djo v federer, djo will lose next time

Answer 6

Andre Agassi can barely walk and he never quit a game.

Agassi had to take cortizone shots in his back - do you know how long a cortizone needle is!??  I am a huge Agassi fan because he fights till the death.   Other players had very serious illnesses and kept playing. Federer had mono and kept playing. Nalbandian's godson and uncle were killed in a freak shocking accident, and he kept playing at Shanghai, even though visibly upset. James Blake never gives up no matter what.  Even if you don't even swing your racquet anymore, you freaking put at least a minimum effort in.

No, sorry, Djoko, that's his reputation for a reason.

Answer 7

Novak has a lot to be proud of, he is representing his country well and he is doing what he feels its best for him...

GO NOVAK!

Answer 8

He's a freaking whiner, and he always has been one to quit early. That's why he used to have the nickname Choko-vich

Sore throat. What a jerk. I've played with the flu in a tournie and yeah, i felt like c**p and lost, but at least I didn't quit.

Answer 9

Good on him. It is not worth putting his health at risk to make a crowd happy. You have to think about your whole career and the long run. He is the only one who knows how he is feeling. Good man I say.

Answer 10

He is still on antibiotics according to another article.

Answer 11

good i like the guy alot...  i hope he wins more big stuff.. he deserves it... he has worked so hard coming out of serbia...

Answer 12

Is there an anti-biotic for chapped lips? That may be his next reason for quitting. Sore throat has been used as his reason already. Good luck Novak in your "reason for quitting" quest. And don't ever use mononucleosis as a reason for quitting. One guy positively had it and he never quit

Answer 13

Yes, Djokovic always has something if the other player is better. A sore throat. Come on.. that´s lame. He is just a big coward. He should learn what fair-play means and except a defeat.

Answer 14

I am sick and tired of arm chair athletes. People who always criticize these marvelous athletes. They are not outhere playing, they don't feel the pain. They have to remember that these tennis players are playing for alot of money, if they are not in great pain, they would not pulled out of a match.

Answer 15

BARF!... Reasons... reasons.... Just grow up and stop acting like a diva!