Novak Djokovic Gets Hero's Welcome in Belgrade

2011 Wimbledon Champ Novak Djokovic received a hero's welcome in Belgrade yesterday as over 100,000 people gathered to cheer him on.

FROM REUTERS:

(Reuters) - Some 100,000 Serbian tennis fans gave Novak Djokovic a royal reception in central Belgrade on Monday after the 24-year-old arrived home to celebrate winning his first Wimbledon title.

Djokovic, who leapt to the top of the ATP rankings in the process, was greeted by a deafening roar as he arrived in an open-top bus which took hours to reach the Serbian parliament square from the airport.

Traffic on the main motorway ground to a halt as fans got out of their cars to salute Serbia's most popular athlete, whose entire family paraded alongside him on a giant stage where rock bands entertained the crowd.

"This is absolutely unbelievable and I owe all of you eternal gratitude for this reception," an elated Djokovic said as he held aloft the trophy he won with an emphatic four-set win over Spaniard Rafa Nadal in Sunday's final.

"The time has come to bare all my emotions to you and all I can say is that you are the best in the world because only Serbian fans can throw a party like this.

"You have made the happiest day of my life even better and I dedicate this trophy to you," said Djokovic, who will lead Davis Cup holders Serbia in their quarter-final tie away to Sweden next weekend.

"We have a soul that is second to none and with the team event coming up, I can promise you we will do everything in our power to win it all again," he added.

Djokovic and his two younger brothers then joined rock, pop and folk bands on stage in singing local chartbusters, as fans lit flares and waved Serbian flags.

The frenzy culminated when Djokovic and his family engaged in a traditional Serbian folk dance as fireworks lit the skies above Belgrade on a warm evening.

"Young people are here in droves because they look up to this extraordinary young man and draw inspiration from his accomplishments," said former Davis Cup coach Radmilo Armenulic.

"He is a role model and a true champion, finding the strength and willpower in his family and close friends, which is the best way to keep your life on the rails."

Awww...

Gotta love young Nole!

Note - Just FYI: Nole is the Serbian nickname for people named Novak, which is a common name in Serbia.

Novak Djokovic Wins Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic, world's number One, rips the win from Rafael Nadal on the 30th anniversary of the famous Wimbledon Bjorn Borg win over John McEnroe. All Hail The Current King of Tennis. Nole!

6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3

What a day at the 125th All England Lawn Tennis Championships!

Favored Rafael Nadal fails to live up to numbero uno as Novak Djokovic, 48-1, this year, PROVES why he is now number one.

From SI this afternoon:
"Novak Djokovic is the new king. When Djokovic achieved the No. 1 ranking on Friday, it was met with quiet admiration. It took him 48 hours to legitimize his supremacy — and the reaction has been emphatic. With a breathtaking display of offense, defense and mental strength, Djokovic took down defending champ Rafael Nadal on Centre Court today, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. Djokovic has lost one match since Thanksgiving weekend. He has won two of the last three majors. He beaten Nadal five straight times, twice on clay, twice on hard courts, once on grass. Two years ago, we coronated Federer here. A year ago it was Nadal. Suddenly Djokovic looks darn near unbeatable and is halfway from turning in a season that will rival any year Federer or Nadal put up. What a player. What an era."

The young Serb, after winning, walked to center court and started eating the grass, literally plucking some grass and stuffing it into his mouth, said he "felt like an animal."

"I managed to achieve a lifetime goal and I managed to make my dream come true, all in three days' time," said Djokovic, who tossed three of his rackets into the crowd before accepting the championship trophy. "It's just an incredible feeling that I'm never going to forget. This is the best day of my tennis career."

Serbian President Boris Tadic was in the Royal Box along with several former champions to watch the match on Centre Court. We know The Silver Fox, Bjorn Borg was there as well as John McEnroe who was calling the match for NBC.

"Nadal had won 20 straight matches at the All England Club, including two of the previous three titles. He missed the 2009 tournament because of injury, but was playing in his fifth Wimbledon final in six years."

Rafa needed today's win to match Borg's record of 11 Grand Slam titles. He'll have to try again at the US Open in August. Finally some hard court!

Wimbledon was a huge success this year and we had a great time watching all the matches we could.

Congratulations, Nole!

Also and this is last but not least - All Hail the Bryan Brothers! The phenomenal twins won their 11th doubles title today cementing their names into history. They are the winningest team of all time. The only reason they don't get more press, is because they've never played singles men's tennis... and no one watches doubles.

It's almost sad but they "cry" their way to the bank, those guys. Bob and Mike Bryan are the like the fucking wondertwins. WTG, guys!

Wimbledon: Men's Final Happening Now...

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
The top two tennis player in the world right now

The above photo taken in 2008 at the Beijing Summer Olympics shows the two friends playing some poker.

The stakes are slightly higher today as the two meet again for the 4th time this year.

Novak is 4-0 against Rafa this year, HOWEVER in major Grand Slams it's Rafa that's 5-0.

The match is playing now on NBC. Tune in for what should be a 5 set barnburner.

Wimbledon: Men's Semi-Finals Day

Big Jo Tsonga

Our boy Novak!

It's here! Men's Semi final Day at Wimbledon.

First up: Novak Djokovic vs. Jo Wilfried Tsonga

Novak has lost only ONE match since last year and in our eyes is the favorite for this match. Tsonga has the momentum though, having won the match of his life beating Roger Federer the other day and is, as they say, On A Roll.

Should be some of the best tennis yet.

Novak has TWO ways to win the Number One spot.

1) Rafa could lose against Murray. We think the only way Murray could win is if he brought a machine gun to the court instead of a tennis racket...

2) Novak beats Tsonga.

With either of those scenarios Novak will be the world's number one tennis player, usurping Rafa for the first time in two years.

Our other favorite of all time, Rafael Nadal

Go Rafa!

Andy Murray, the Scot with all the pressure.
Can he finally do it?

Poor Andy Murray. His situation is like "always a bridesmaid never a bride". He can't seem to win a major and he needs one badly. He's a great player but just can't seal the deal.

Will it be today against current #1 Rafael Nadal?

We hardly think so. But hey. Rafa could break a leg or something. You never know.

Wimbledon: And on the Men's Side

ROGER FEDERER IS OUT!

The six-time Wimbledon winner was ousted by big Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the Muhammad Ali look alike. Tsonga was ELATED over the win as you can see from the pic above.

WOW! What a shocker! Tsonga is good but not take-down-Federer-in-his-own-house good. But he was today. And to boot, Roger was 178-0 in matches where he was up 2 sets.

Yes, folks, Roger was up the first two sets and lost the last three. Did anyone check to see if Hell is freezing over?

Also, in good news, our boy Novak Djokovic rolls on to the semis as well.

Andy Murray - Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - Jo Tsonga are the final four.

We're looking forward to a Rafa - Novak final.

NY Times: Tsonga Stuns Federer

10 Things to Know About Tsonga

Wimbledon Update: And on the Women's Side

Serena and Venus as the Divas they are

THE WILLLIAMS SISTERS ARE OUT!

Hallelujiah!

We know they are the best players of their generation but personally they are so unlikeable they make our skin crawl. We just cannot root for them. Ever. There is absolutely nothing to like about them. They are mean, rude and simply obnoxious people that do not get "it" or anything for that matter. Their narcisssim level is in a class by itself.

Venus was bested by the same person who put her out last year and with the SAME score: Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2, 6-3.

There is word that Venus should retire. Wimbledon was her best event. She's 31 and can't even win 6 games here now.

Serena was bested today by Marion Bartoli in three sets. Bartoli is an "outcast". She's not one of the glamorous ones, her father is her coach (we know how THAT goes) and we like her for that. She is consistently in the WTA's top ten players and SHE BEAT SERENA. Go Bartoli!

So, Good bye Serena. Good bye Venus. Take that bitch Maria Sharapova with you!

Caroline is everything that Bitch Sharapova wishes she was...
talented, cute and liked

We also say good bye to Caroline Wozniacki who once again is "under fire" for being ranked #1 in the world with NO MAJORS. That's right. Cute little Wozniacki has never won a major title and it's starting to piss people off that she is ranked so high without one.

She lost today in three sets to Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.

As cute as Wozniacki is, she doesn't hold a candle
to the sex kitten known as Ana Ivanovic. WOW!

Speaking of sex...

Although this is a post about the Women's side...

WE MISS MARAT SO MUCH, WE CAN'T TAKE IT.
HERE HE IS FOR OLD TIMES SAKE...

Big, delicious Marat Safin at Wimbledon
a few years ago...
Where are you now, Buddy?

Wimbledon #2 For Rafa

John McEnroe calls him an "animal" says Rafa's next step could be a Grand Slam!

We know he's an animal John - that's why we call him El Diablo Toro!

OUT!

There's no crying at Wimbledon, Roger!

Holy Moly! What's in the world's water? Every overpaid top sports star seems to be losing their mojo or something- en masse!

Today's Loser is.....drum roll please.....ROGER FEDERER!

Surprise victory for Tomas Berdych at the Wimbledon Quarterfinals today! 6 time Champion and Tennis Mega-Super-Star Roger "The Fed Express" Federer gets to go home to Merka and the new twin baby girls. Either it's his age, his mindset or something but Fed seems rather set on being a husband and father and has definately lost his mojo.

Yesterday Andy Roddick lost making today's Federer loss even more bitter. This may have given young Andy a chance had he made it one more round. Whoa.

Also at Wimbledon, other upsets include: Venus "I'm not a man, but look like one" Williams, Kimmy "Wimbledon made me play two consecutive days, WTF?" Cljisters, Justine "I'm not a skeleton, I just look like one" Henin and BOTH WILLIAMS SISTERS OUT OF THE DOUBLES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. WOW.

Right now, Rafael Nadal is LOSING, down at least 1 set. And look for big Wilfried Tsonga to oust Brit fave Andy Murray for another upset.

This is all on top of World Cup disasters: Andy "I can't score a fucking thing" Rooney of England and Cristiano "Stop calling me greasy" Ronaldo of Portugal scoring a whopping ONE goal between them. Each makes over $50 Million in ANNUAL salary BEFORE endorsements. Way to show you actually deserve it, guys!

Next up is Tour De France. Let's hope Lance can even stay on the bike!

11 Hours, 5 Minutes

YOU WILL NEVER IN YOUR LIFETIME SEE THIS AGAIN

"You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em." Or in tennis, know when to throw down the racket and play Rock-Paper-Scissors!

John Isner and a QUALIFIER from France are engaged in the most epic tennis battle OF ALL TIME IN RECORDED HISTORY.

The match which started Tuesday was suspended when night fell, started again on Wednesday - LASTED ALL FUCKING DAY - was suspended again for night fall and is scheduled to continue today at an unheard of 5th set 59-59 tie. Yes FIFTY-FUCKING-NINE - EACH!

They have played for over 10 hours. One match. Three days. Ten hours and counting.

UPDATE: John Isner wins at the 11 hour, 5 minute mark 70-68!

This one was historical. You'll never see it again!