In this week’s mailbag, jon_wertheim discusses the mystery that is Novak Djokovic’s hamstring issue and a reader makes the case for finding creative ways to shorten matches
Let’s start with a topic that has drawn a lot attention—in your communiques, in the press room, and inevitably on social media. Novak Djokovic has been outspoken about his hamstring injury entering the tournament. This has drawn praise. This has drawn criticism. This has drawn a response fromheadline “Insult to injury: Novak’s Niggle the Talk of the Town” says it all.
Here’s another thought: let’s imagine a worst-case scenario. An athlete exaggerates an injury. He does this to mitigate pressure. Or to play a mind game with the opponent. Or to create uncertainty. And….who cares? This might violate a code. This might run counter to the bromide “If you play you’re fit; if you’re fit you play.” But I would contend that something other than full truth about an injury—overstating or understating—is within bounds.
Now we most likely will get a press release saying goodbye, or worse, another early round exit - at Paris?! - as Rafa hobbles off after an early round defeat. Tragic. Your thoughts on what Rafa does now?Timing the perfect retirement is like timing the stock market. Lots of “woulda shoulda coulda” but hard to pull off in practice. Sure, if Nadal had retired after Roland Garros it would have been an “epic farewell.” It would also have deprived him of reaching the Wimbledon semis.
Since the 2022 French Open, it’s been tough going for Nadal, now 36, mostly owing to injury. Says here, he’ll rest and try to defend his title in Paris. Then he’ll reassess. If he’s not successful? We might get an announcement.
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