Novak Djokovic reflects on ‘close' friendship with Kobe Bryant after paying tribute to him at US Open
Novak Djokovic reflected on his close relationship with Kobe Bryant as he celebrated his U.S. Open victory.
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“Him and I were close,” Djokovic, 36, said Sept. 11 on TODAY. “He was extremely supportive and very kind and generous to me when I was down and had to undergo a surgery about six years ago, and trying to work my way up, I had a lot of doubts, mental challenges, and he was there for me.”
Djokovic also said he and Bryant had “numerous conversations” about “mentality.”
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“He was guiding me through the process and I couldn’t be more thankful to him and everything that he has done for me, but also for athletes around the world,” Djokovic said on TODAY. “His legacy lives forever.”
This isn’t the first time Djokovic has publicly honored his friend, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020. Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also killed in the crash, along with seven other people.
In January 2020, a few days after Bryant’s death, Djokovic offered a tearful tribute to Bryant as he marked his quarterfinal win at the Australian Open.
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“I don’t know what we can say, you know? It really caught us by surprise. He was one of the greatest athletes of all time,” Djokovic said, in a video shared by ESPN. “He inspired myself and many, many other people around the world.
“I had the fortune to have a personal relationship with him over the last 10 years, and when I needed some advice and some support, he was there for me,” he continued. “He was my mentor, my friend, and it’s just heartbreaking to see and to hear what has happened to him and his daughter.”
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Djokovic’s T-shirt tribute to Bryant at the U.S. Open caught the attention of the basketball legend’s widow, Vanessa Bryant.
She shared photos and videos of Djokovic’s T-shirt on Instagram and congratulated him on his victory.
“Real recognize Real,” she wrote in the caption.
Yup, seems like Vanessa wasn't "grossed out" by Djokovic's tribute to Kobe.
It shouldn't, but I know why it bothers you. We will keep it at that.
Really? Enlighten me. How is public health and safety "political"? _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
It shouldn't, but I know why it bothers you. We will keep it at that.
Really? Enlighten me. How is public health and safety "political"?
DaMuleRules wrote:
That's certainly part of it, and he wasn't nearly as gracious about it all as you describe. He didn't quietly accept the consequences. He fought back hard and actually lied in an attempt to appeal the restrictions placed on his paerticpation. And while he may not have gone to Aaron Rodgers/Joe Rogan levels of blasting vaccines on social media, he did make many public comments incorrectly condemning vaccines.
How does "quietly accepting the consequences" make it any less a "public health and safety" issue?
It shouldn't, but I know why it bothers you. We will keep it at that.
Really? Enlighten me. How is public health and safety "political"?
You're a funny person.
Not being funny at all. My objections to Djoker having nothing to do with politics. I would be against him whether I were a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green Party member or an Independent. He's not even American, so his politics are of no issue to me, nor do I even know what they are. My feelings about Djoker are based purely on his character. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now
Last edited by DaMuleRules on Mon Sep 11, 2023 4:21 pm; edited 1 time in total
So yeah, I'd prefer people like him would not chose to bring Kobe in to association with them. It's certainly with in their right to do so, but I find it gross.
Grossed out by someone showing respect to Kobe…
I wonder if Vanessa Bryant was grossed out as well.
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52660 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 4:17 pm Post subject:
focus wrote:
LongBeachPoly wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
So yeah, I'd prefer people like him would not chose to bring Kobe in to association with them. It's certainly with in their right to do so, but I find it gross.
Grossed out by someone showing respect to Kobe…
I wonder if Vanessa Bryant was grossed out as well.
I never claimed to speak for anyone else, and certainly not Vanessa. I even stated it's Djoker's right to wear a Kobe shirt if he wishes.
I just said to that to me, I find the idea of a guy I have a contempt for wearing a shirt for someone I respect displeasurable. I'd feel the same way if I saw some other douchebag wear a shirt for my favorite band. I certainly never said that I was grossed out by anyone showing respect for Kobe . . . context is KEY, despite someone else's attempts to put those words in my mouth in an attempt to misrepresent them. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
I certainly never said that I was grossed out by anyone showing respect for Kobe . . . context is KEY, despite someone else's attempts to put those words in my mouth in an attempt to misrepresent them.
So yeah, I'd prefer people like him would not chose to bring Kobe in to association with them. It's certainly with in their right to do so, but I find it gross.
Grossed out by someone showing respect to Kobe…
I wonder if Vanessa Bryant was grossed out as well.
Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. to honor Kobe Bryant by wearing Lakers-colored Air Jordan cleats in Dodgers series
Anybody have issues with Tatis Jr. and need to barf?
Eh...can care less. I dont like Tatis Jr. and believe he is a clubhouse cancer not conducive to a winning environment (really think he is the main root of the Padres dysfunction more than Machado, Soto or Bogaerts) but I can care less he is trying to honor Kobe.
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52660 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:13 pm Post subject:
LongBeachPoly wrote:
focus wrote:
LongBeachPoly wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
So yeah, I'd prefer people like him would not chose to bring Kobe in to association with them. It's certainly with in their right to do so, but I find it gross.
Grossed out by someone showing respect to Kobe…
I wonder if Vanessa Bryant was grossed out as well.
And this makes some other people on the outside looking in puke?
Did I get that right?
I'm sure you think you did after all the time, effort and the number of posts you made that repeatedly ignored all of my other comments while intentionally stripping them of context and further elaboration.
Unfortunately that's not how honest and reasonable discussion works, which is why will return to politely ignoring your disingenuousness and intellectual dishonesty. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Was a nice gesture by Novak. Doesn't make him any more likable to some tennis fans. Just because someone references Kobe doesn't mean they automatically get a blanket pass and turn into a saint above reproach or criticism. Totally get where DMR is coming from (regardless of the reasons for not liking Djokovic).
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31963 Location: Anaheim, CA
Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:31 pm Post subject:
I randomly found this short clip on YouTube. I was probably watching this live at the time, but certainly didn't remember that Kobe had said "Novak's my guy." He even says what Djokovic himself said on Sunday after he won, which is that they talked about strategy and that Kobe gave him advice.
I randomly found this short clip on YouTube. I was probably watching this live at the time, but certainly didn't remember that Kobe had said "Novak's my guy." He even says what Djokovic himself said on Sunday after he won, which is that they talked about strategy and that Kobe gave him advice.
Just because someone references Kobe doesn't mean they automatically get a blanket pass and turn into a saint above reproach or criticism.
Nope. But, one should be able to separate from:
- criticizing the person/player
vs.
- criticizing the gesture
And that's what you were able to do:
BadGuy wrote:
Was a nice gesture by Novak. Doesn't make him any more likable to some tennis fans.
And now that we see that Novak and Kobe did in fact have a personal friendship/relationship, I don't understand how/why someone would have an issue the gesture.
Majors record makes Novak Djokovic best in history, Nadal says
play
Rafael Nadal's most recent Grand Slam win came at the French Open in 2022, and with Novak Djokovic having overtaken his mark for most major titles in men's tennis, the Spanish player conceded that his rival is the best player in history.
Djokovic's recent win at the US Open, his third Grand Slam title this year, took his tally to 24 majors, two ahead of Nadal's total.
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"I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics. In that sense, I think he [Djokovic] has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable," Nadal said in an interview with AS published Wednesday.
"This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more," he added. "I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss about that."
Nadal has been hampered by injury issues in recent years, missing the past three majors with a lingering hip issue and sitting out Wimbledon and the US Open in 2021.
He has not played in a tournament since losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January and said in May that he expected 2024 to be the final season of his tennis career.
However, he told AS doesn't want his injury history to be used as an excuse.
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"As always, everyone can see the story as they wish, saying that I suffered many injuries. Bad luck for me or bad luck that I had my body this way," he said. "He has had another one, and in some ways that is also part of the sport. I congratulate him for everything he is achieving, and it doesn't cause me any kind of frustration."
Nadal, 37, also spoke about fellow Spaniard and new kid on the block Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old winner of this year's Wimbledon.
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"He has been the world No. 1 until recently. Although he's very young right now, practically the only rival I see for him is Djokovic," Nadal said.
Despite losing his Grand Slam record to current world No. 1 Djokovic, Nadal is more than happy with what he has achieved in his career.
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"I said it when I was the one with the most Slams, I said it when we were tied, and I say it now that I am behind: I am not going to be the one who tries, through a personal struggle, to want to be what I am not," Nadal said. "What is, is, and what is not, is not. I say this: I am very satisfied with everything that I have done."
Jannik Sinner pulls out of Paris Masters, blames event's schedule
Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Masters after his second-round match finished in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the fourth seed saying he had to make the right decision for health reasons as his next match loomed.
Sinner's clash with Mackenzie McDonald did not start until after midnight and his 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-1 win ended at 2:37 a.m., with his third-round tie against Alex de Minaur scheduled for Thursday afternoon, drawing criticism for the organizers.
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"I am sorry to announce that I am withdrawing from today's match in Bercy," Sinner said on social media. "I finished the match when it was almost three in the morning and didn't go to bed until a few hours later. I had less than 12 hours rest to prepare for the next game."
Sinner has already qualified for the ATP Finals in Turin, which begin on Nov. 12. De Minaur will now face Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals after the walkover.
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"I have to make the right decision for my health and my body," Sinner said in his post. "The weeks ahead with the ATP Finals at home and the Davis Cup will be very important, now I focus on preparing for these important events. See you in Turin."
After the late-night win over McDonald, Sinner had already hinted at his withdrawal, saying he did not know yet if he would play the next round and would decide when he woke up.
Casper Ruud defended Sinner and criticized the ATP.
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"Bravo ATP, way to help one of the best players in the world recover and be as ready as possible when he finished his previous match at 2:37 am this morning, 14.5 hours to recover ... what a joke," Ruud posted to social media.
Late finishes are commonplace at other tournaments, including the US Open and Australian Open, with Andy Murray describing his 4:05 a.m. finish in a match against Thanasi Kokkinakis in Australia this year as a "farce."
Elena Rybakina said she felt "destroyed" by the Montreal schedule after her quarterfinal ended at 3 a.m. in August.
Despite the complaints, the US Open has no plans to change its schedule.
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"We looked at starting the evening session earlier, instead of 7 p.m. start at 6 p.m., but it's not really a possibility because it's hard for New Yorkers to get here even at 7 p.m.," tournament director Stacey Allaster said.
Novak Djokovic routs Carlos Alcaraz, faces Jannik Sinner for title
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will bid for a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title when he takes on home favorite Jannik Sinner in Sunday's final after both won their semifinal matches.
Djokovic, 36, took less than 90 minutes to beat Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 in a match between the top two players in the rankings Saturday night, after Sinner had earlier dispatched Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1.
Djokovic is currently tied with Roger Federer with six titles at the season-ending tournament for the year's top eight players, while Sinner is the first Italian player to reach the final.
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