Open-Djokovic, Serena look to get New York crowd on their side
Open-Djokovic, Serena look to get New York crowd on their side
Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, two players who
have tasted the wrath of the New York crowd, begin their title campaigns
with first-round matches at the U.S. Open on Tuesday.
Once considered a joker given his talent for imitating
fellow players, Djokovic was jeered at Flushing Meadows in 2008 for
daring to hit back at claims by Andy Roddick that he exaggerated his
injuries.
But last year, the Serb was cheered to the hilt as he
beat Rafa Nadal to win the U.S. Open for the first time and complete his
collection of grand slam trophies.
"I feel the energy," said Djokovic, who plays Italian
Paolo Lorenzi in round one. "It's incredible and a very unique feeling
to come back to New York as defending champion. It's one of the most
exciting cities in the world.
"You definitely can feel that. Especially the night
matches in front of the packed stadium. It's a lot of entertainment, a
lot of fun. The fans get into every point, they play with you, so it's
quite different from all the other tournaments."
In other men's matches on Tuesday, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
of France plays Slovakia's Karol Beck and former champion Andy Roddick
takes on fellow American Rhyne Williams.
Serena Williams has been on the wrong side of the crowd
in each of the past two years with two of the biggest meltdowns in
recent U.S. Open history.
In 2010, the American threatened to shove a ball down
the throat of a lineswoman who called a foot fault on her when she was
two points from defeat against Kim Clijsters.
Last year, the American unleashed a torrent of abuse
toward the chair umpire who penalised her for shouting before Samantha
Stosur had a chance to return a ball in the final, which the Australian
won.
The 30-year-old won the last of her three U.S. Open
titles in 2008 is the overwhelming favourite this year after following
her triumphs at Wimbledon and the London Olympics.
"You've got to embrace it whether you're the favourite
or the one to beat or whether you are not," said fourth seed Williams,
who plays American Coco Vandeweghe in round one.
"And I embrace it. In Wimbledon I wasn't the favourite, I embraced that. Hopefully I can do my best here."
Venus Williams, twice the winner in New York, is in
action against American Bethanie Mattek-Sands while second seed
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland plays Russia's Nina Bratchikova.
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