THE LOW DOWN: What's up with Nole's towel-throwing?

A few readers and I expressed disappointment (see comments here) in Novak Djokovic's retirement during his semifinal match against a parent-bashing Roger Federer.

After barely losing games against Ivan Ljubicic, Andy Murray, and Sam Querrey (even earning two love sets) the Serb pulled out of the match citing a sore throat, dizziness + fatigue:

Q. What's the problem, Novak?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I didn't feel good for last three days. I've been waking up with some sore throat. But I thought it's not going to be nothing special.

But obviously when you're playing against the No. 1 player of the world, you obviously get a lot of balls back and longer points, and I just couldn't get enough energy back after each point. I needed a lot of time. And I just decided not to risk anything.

Q. You were already sick in the first set of the previous match.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it's always like this. Last three days, as I said. But the previous opponents were not, you know, not that tough and I didn't have long rallies against the previous opponents like I had today.

Obviously I needed that step further and to do something more and special to win the points today. Of course, it's normal, you're playing against the best player in the world. And, unfortunately, I couldn't do that.

But, you know, I have to look on the bright side.

It sounds like he gave up big time. But, no one knows how serious or not his condition is right now. However, this retirement is the fourth since 2007: two in Davis Cup play, semifinals of Wimbledon '07, and Monte Carlo - all big matches, right?

The Serb must realize that these mid-match withdrawals will do nothing but bring up tough questions about his physical health, mental toughnesss, endurance, etc. until he proves otherwise.

(image via AP)

WEEKEND WINNER: Rafa

Rafael Nadal picked up where he left off this time last year in Europe - winning on the red clay and owning Roger Federer on the Spaniard's fave surface.

The 21-year old steamrolled the competition last week at the Monte Carlo Masters, displaying his trademark tenacity in the final by coming back from a break down in the first set and 0-4 in the second against Fed. He now owns a ridiculous 98-1 record on clay since April 2005 and becomes the first baller to win in Monte Carlo four consecutive times (plus winning the last two years without dropping a set.)

Oh yeah - he also won the doubles title with compatriot Tommy Robredo.

Pretty good week, eh?

(image via AP)

VIDEO VAULT: Fed gives Nole's parents a verbal smackdown

Remember how I mentioned there's no love lost between Roger Federer + Novak Djokovic? Well I guess there's none between Fed and Nole's mommy + daddy either. Not that tennis fans needed proof, but here you go:



Could that be what made Nole sick?

Monte Carlo mash-up: Fed vs. Nole, Rafa vs. Kolya

Well, well. The men's clay-court season couldn't have started off better if you planned it (but let's not start the match-fixing talk again, ok?)

The top four ballers in the world are meeting up this weekend in the semifinals of Monte Carlo:

The marquee matchup pits world no. 1 Roger Federer against growing nemesis Novak Djokovic. Their last meeting was, of course, in the same round at the Australian Open where the sexy Serb defeated Federer and went on to win his maiden Grand Slam. Their head-to-head stands at 5-2 for the Swiss but Nole has taken the last two out of three. And don't be fooled - there's no love lost between these two ballers.

In the other half three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal, who owns a staggering 95-1 record on the slippery stuff dating back to 2005, will face-off against Davydenko. The Russian took their most recent meeting in the final of last month's Sony Ericsson Open so he'll come in with some confidence against his Spanish foe. But Rafa will be looking for revenge and Davydenko knows the odds are stacked against him on the red clay.

Who'll take this title and make their move towards Roland Garros?

(images via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Gasquet on Querrey

..I was dominating the game during the first two sets. I must say, he was a bit lucky.

- Richard Gasquet on his loss to Sam Querrey at the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday.

Yes Richard, I guess luck is exactly why you lost and Sam's in the quarterfinals - lucky that you're a head case. Get a grip.

(image via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Querrey's Monte Carlo march over choking Gasquet

Aside from his ridiculous comment on Roger Federer yesterday, Sam Querrey and his intriguing non-dom hand are having a great ride at the Monte Carlo Masters. Who wudda thunk it?!

Sam's dismissal of former French Open champ Carlos Moya in the first round was enough of a shocker, but today the 6' 5" American blasted perennial head-case Richard Gasquet 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. He'll have a monster task, though, in the quarterfinals: Novak Djokovic.

But does this match say more about Sam's abilities on clay and the growth of his game or Richard's eminent tag as a choker? I'm not sure, but one thing is clear: Richard's Davis Cup debacle has legs.

(images via AP + Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Nole fires warning, will take rankings one step at a time

Tennis ballers can be so clear in their talk, even when they're trying to be vague.

Novak Djokovic was interviewed after his 6-3, 6-3 drubbing of friend Ivan Ljubicic about his goals for the rest of the season after checking off a big one on his list. The perpetually shirtless Serb made his intentions known saying,

And, you know, my goal for this year was to win a Grand Slam, and I did it. So now I'll try to be as much consistent as is possible on the major events, and hopefully I can get further - at least a step further - on the rankings till the end of the season.

Does that mean stepping on his card-playing 'friend' Rafael Nadal for number two? With all the points Rafa has to defend during the clay season, it may come sooner than later for Nole.

(image via AP)

Bolelli is beautiful, beats Chela in Monte Carlo

Simone Bolelli hasn't made his mark on the ATP tour just yet, but the Italian dismantled Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters. He'll take on a recently-injured Nikolay Davydenko in the second round, giving him a great opportunity for a breakthrough.

Could he be one of the most beautiful men on tour?

(images via AP)

PHOTO OP: Rafa + Nole channel James Bond, hit up Monte Carlo Casino

Like something out of a James Bond flick, Rafael Nadal + Novak Djokovic dropped their tennis gear and donned penguin suits as they hit up Les Casinos de Monte Carlo.


The dapper duo, who aren't BFF's by any means, look to be enjoying each other's company at the blackjack table - even if it's only for an ATP public relations moment for the Monte Carlo Masters.

See - can't we all just get along?

Check out some behind-the-scenes footage of their outing here.


(images via Getty)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: A-Rod, Roger & Rafael sing...Monte Carlo saved, Tennis Planet hearts Lindsay Lohan and more

- Cheaters sometimes win: SI's Jon Wertheim provides his top-5 list of ways tennis players toe the line between gamesmanship and all out cheating. My personal favorite: "4. The fake "gimme": Jimmy Connors patented this move. At a non-critical juncture in the match, you concede a point to your opponent on a questionable line call, giving the impression you're an honest sportsman. Then at a crucial juncture, you hit a ball close to the line that's called unfavorably and then you appeal to him to return the favor." Ew, that's sneaky...

- How they got the 2 biggest male tennis stars to do this we'll never know. Want to see Roger Federer singing "Simply the Best"? Click here. Want to see Rafael Nadal sing "La Bamba"? Click here. Simply hysterical...

- Monte Carlo will keep its status as a Masters Series tournament after the organizers filed an antitrust lawsuit against the ATP in April over its plans to demote the event as part of a reshuffling of the calendar from 2009.

- Tennis Planet is a calling a split between Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick "inevitable" due to the current state of Roddick's game. I'm not so sure they know what they're talking about over there. TP also thinks the women of the WTA Tour should act more like a certain freefalling partygirl of the moment. Get a grip.