While the Serb was having fun with footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the BNP Paribas Masters, Maria Sharapova was criticized for her "noisy" game style and Del Potro was being robbed in a Parisian train station. Worse, Rafael Nadal was so desperate to watch Real Madrid that he was even ready to dodge a press conference.
Novak Djokovic vs. Ibrahimovic
Since the Swede was at AC Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Novak Djokovic have been good friends. The PSG striker, who was in the stands during the Serb's semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Masters, made the show with his pal after his victory against Roger Federer. A discussion between friends. Easy.
Djoko, like a bird on a wire
It's no news, Novak Djokovic is a fan of modern technology. Whenever he can, he posts picture of himself to his fans on Facebook or Twitter. This week in Paris, it's on his twitter that the world number two made a point to show the world that he wasn't forgetting his stretching: «Little bit of stretching before heading to my training session in Bercy».
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Novak, the multilingual
It seems that Djokovic has no problem with languages. At the BNP Paribas Masters, he even reassured the audience on his level in French.
« Do you think I've made progress? Anyway, it's difficult for me to learn French. Every year, I come back to France. I play Roland Garros, the BNP Paribas Masters, and take advantage of it to speak French. I love languages in general, and I think French is a beautiful language. The quality of my French is average, but hopefully I'll improve. My favourite French word? 'Merveilleux' (Wonderful).»
Such a charmer.
Meanwhile, in the rest of the world…
Del Potro, robbed
After being eliminated of the BNP Paribas Masters by Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, Juan Martin del Potro had another mishap. As he was about to take the train to go to the Masters in London Saturday, the Argentine's suitcase was stolen, a suitcase in which was a rosary blessed by his compatriot, Pope Francis. In a statement published on his website, the world number five described the scene: « I was finishing the check-in and was asked for an autograph, I turned around to sign it and within 20 seconds, it was stolen.» In addition to the rosary, Del Potro, also had his passport and cash stolen. But don't worry, even without a passport, he was able to board his train for the Masters. The Argentine Consulate in London be busy this week.
Maria, so glamorous
Maria Sharapova loves fashion. Recently, during a show of the brand "Chloe", the Russian found herself in the middle of the fashion press’ who is who. The tall blonde even posed with actress January Jones, the artistic director of Chloe - Clare Waight Keller - and Lisa Love of Vogue magazine. Nice.
Maria’s feet
Adept of atypical training techniques, Maria Sharapova knows how to take care of her feet.
Bartoli, the gourmet
Even if she's retired, Marion Bartoli is definitely not bored. During the parade of the Paris chocolate fair, the player was wearing a dress designed by stylist Florence Soerensen and transformed into an edible dress by chocolatier Philippe Bernachon. Marion wouldn't mind being eaten...
Golovin replaces Bartoli on ice skates
This isn't a change in the French Fed Cup team but a replacement for a TV show. While Marion Bartoli was supposed to participate in the program "Ice Show" broadcast on French TV at the end of the month, the young retiree had to pass for physical reasons. The production then went looking for a replacement, and was delighted to catch another retiree, Tatiana Golovin. It could have been worse.
Nadal, in a hurry during the press conference in Bercy
After eliminating Marcel Granollers in two sets in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters, Rafael Nadal had to go at the traditional post-match conference. Except that the Spanish cut short his little conversation with the media. Moody, Rafa? Not at all. The man really wanted to be on time for the start of the football match opposing Real Madrid to Sevilla FC. Happy, Nadal sat quietly in front of his television to watch the recital: 7-3 for Madrid.
Dimitrov, brown-noser
Grigor Dimitrov, promising tennis player but also Mr Sharapova, gave an interview to the Daily Mail this week. And when the journalist asked him what was his best time watching sports on TV, the player didn't beat around the bush: "The victory of my darling Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon, at 17. It was a great performance!" Brown-noser.
Tennis TV, ruthless with referees
On Twitter, Tennis TV doesn't miss anything. The concept is simple: tennis on TV, but with a different point of view. Thus, during the BNP Paribas Masters, the camera stopped briefly on the international referee Mohamed Lahyani. He looked a bit "sleepy". The tweet left in stride, with a picture: "Are you sleeping Mo? The season has been long for the other referees too..." As a reminder, Lahyani was the referee during the marathon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon.
PHM and the positive attitude
Real black cat of the tour, the French Paul-Henri Mathieu had a cursed year 2013. Between serious injuries and poor form, the player is ending the season mentally exhausted. No problem, the man is strong enough to keep hope. This is also the message he sent to his fans on social networks:
«It’s time to stop, rest and clear my head. Thank you all for your messages during this year, which has been so difficult... now it's all behind us, let's look ahead and think about the future! I'll see you next year, a new adventure will begin, and it will be a great one I'm sure. A big thanks for your support!»
Azarenka and Halloween
Victoria loves disguises. For Halloween, The Belarus found some cats' ears. Grrrr.
The joke of the week
October 31st, for Halloween, Tomas Berdych sent this killer tweet:
«I am sorry, Madame. Yes my fault...ufff ...I thought you wore Halloween mask...now it's too late! #facelift »
Too bad, the player could have posted a picture of the "madame" in question.
No more screams for the women?
It had to happen one day. The players' union is currently working on a very specific test: the screams during the matches. In summary, a study will be conducted to determine if the most "stressful" screams will still be accepted during a match. "We don't want to hear really loud screams anymore," said the president of the WTA, Stacey Allaster. Basically, the WTA is working with a specialized company that will be responsible for controlling the voice of the players during matches. Of course, everything will be taken into account: indoor or outdoor match, hall capacity, acoustic, etc. Not a great news for Maria Sharapova.
The Top 8 put to the test
Josh Berry, a man pretty good at imitation, decided to imitate the eight players qualified for the upcoming Masters on YouTube. He has talent.
Wozniacki at Anfield
Separated from her boyfriend, Rory McIlroy, Caroline Wozniacki is keeping busy otherwise. Recently, the Danish went to Anfield, Liverpool's lair, with a Reds scarf around the neck, to watch her team beat WBA. Arguably the most beautiful fan at the stadium.
Fed Cup, Kleybanova and the chance of her life
While Russia and Italy were competing in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas this weekend (Italy won 3-0), the Russian player Alisa Kleybanova, World 183rd, was part of the selection to defend her country's colours, because of many injuries among the Russians. And the lady was happy, her who was cured of cancer in 2011. Inevitably, in a press conference, the player relativized the issue:
"Mentally I'm ready for things to go wrong because I just want to enjoy life."
A speech that many would be well advised to listen.
Cagliari, lucky charm for the Italian
After the victory of the Italian over the Russians in the final of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas (3-0), the players and the staff of the Nazionale were full of praise for... Cagliari, capital of Sardinia, which hosted the players. The President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Giovanni Malago, didn't do things by halves: « Everyone was puzzled about playing at Cagliari, but it was a winning bet. The people, the climate, the incredible atmosphere, made this final beautiful. » Same story with Flavia Pennetta, interviewed by the Unione Sarda, the local newspaper: « We had some doubts, but they were quickly dashed. We found a great climate, we felt like it was still summer, and most importantly, we were treated to an audience and a crowd that is not often seen in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas. We are all really happy with this choice and of the people of Cagliari's support. »
Tunisia suspended of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas
The Malek Jaziri case therefore didn't go unpunished. The ITF has decided this week to suspend Tunisia for a year after it banned a player to face an Israeli colleague, Amir Wintraub, during the Tashkent tournament.
By Mathieu Faure
