Human Flower Project
Djokovic Overpowers Pollen
Tennis champ Novak Djokovic was struggling for breath in his Australian Open semi-final match against Andy Murray late last month. (Panting aside, Djokovic won.) When reporters quizzed him about his evident difficulties on the court, the Serbian player insinuated that Melbourne’s abundant flowers were to blame.
“I’ve talked with a couple of players that have little allergy problems this year in Australia for no reason, ones they didn’t have the last couple years, but they had reactions this year,” said Djokovic. “I suppose that’s my problem as well. I’ve been trying to do everything possible to clear that out. But, you know, we are all surrounded with the flowers. It’s really difficult to take that away. But still, you know, I mean, no excuses.”
Djokovic is one of those players (there seem to be lots of them in men’s tennis – Conners, McEnroe, etc.) whose obnoxious behavior divides fans into two clear camps. We were steering with the “Yes, he’s a fat-head but somehow funny and endearing” group until this, and his huge victory – another one—over Nadal, who’s a full throttle darling.
Pollen notwithstanding (or nonexistent), Djokovic won the Australian Open in the fifth set, the longest match in grand slam history.
Novak Djokovic braved anthuriums to sign autographs for fans in Miami last March, after an exhibition match to benefit victims of the Japanese tsunami.
Photo: USTA/Florida