'When I play Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic...', says ATP ace

There are fewer and fewer days left for the 2021 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year that will begin on February 8th. At this moment there are many controversies around the world of tennis, especially for the treatment reserved to some tennis players and the disparities between the best and the 'less important' ones Furthermore, the decision of the Australian government, together with the organizers, to block 72 tennis players returning from Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles flights (there were positive people inside) in their hotel rooms sparked further controversy. The number one in the world Novak Djokovic has certainly not turned them off, who wrote a long letter on social profiles to defend himself from criticism for his official requests to the tournament organizers: Nole wrote on behalf of many colleagues and in fact they were appreciating his way of taking action to avoid unequal treatment among tennis players. In this regard, Djokovic explained on social media: "My good intentions have been misrepresented. I certainly didn't want to be seen as selfish or ungrateful, this is how far away from reality can be." Gilles Simon was appearing on a on the chat show "Major Talk" when he made a reference to the 2019 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Federer held two match points on his own serve at 8-7 in the fifth set of that match, but the Swiss failed to convert those opportunities and Djokovic bounced back to win 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3).

Gilles Simon on the Big 3

The 36-year-old explained that while the skill difference between players on the ATP tour is not huge, the ones who win more are the ones who can bring out their best in the key moments. "How many matches have I played against players that are 200 or 300? I feel we are playing the same," Gilles Simon said. "Then it comes to an important moment and I can maintain a level under pressure and it’s higher than him. And vice versa, when I play these guys, Novak Djokovic, I lose 6-4 or 7-5 in the third," the Frenchman added. "When we play each other we’re close but when it’s crunch time, what’s good about him is stronger than what’s good about me. So he finally wins. Same for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal." The Australian Open 2021 is less than three weeks away, but clouds of uncertainty are still looming large over the Grand Slam. The first Major of the year suffered a major setback due to COVID-19 again, and the virus is just not letting tennis get back to its normal schedule.

 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2LXQNul