Novak Djokovic - I Will Survive

Novak Djokovic Wins Over World No. 1 Rafael Nadal

Image Source: CNN

In the most recent Masters Series BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells last Sunday, Novak Djokovic cemented his status when he won over Rafa Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-2.

Since he won the Australian Open in January this year, he has consistently won all his matches and after he won over Roger Federer last Sunday in the semi-finals, he also replaced him at World No. 2 ranking.

Unfortunately for Djokovic, Rafa is still almost 4,000 points away from him when ATP rankings list is released so he still holds the World no. 1 position. The one thing that was noticed during the game though was how often Rafa Nadal failed to return or if he did so very weakly every time Djokovic spun his serve towards the corner of the service box or Nadal’s backhand. Is this to be considered Rafa’s weakness? According to Rafa, it was his serve that didn’t work. Well, if other tennis players were watching, and most likely they were, doing it again to the almost unbeatable Rafa would prove Djokovic’s strategy.

Novak Djokovic’s game has certainly gone from superb to sensational. He can be considered as one of the tennis players having the best backhands. But one of the things fans really enjoy about Djokovic is his impersonations. He really is so funny when he imitates Maria Sharapova, Rafa Nadal, Andy Roddick and even Roger Federer. He even has a video of him talking off his active wear top while singing I Will Survive at the top of his voice.

Here are some samples of his funny impersonations:

College Football Scandal, Again

In September of last year I blogged about Reggie Bush returning his Heismann Trophy amidst the scandal of him receiving impermissible benefits which was in violation of an NCAA rule. My point then was that these would be NFL professionals should know the rules and strictly follow it. Not only does it make sure that your name, school and championship is not tainted by any scandal but it sets what you can be in the future. There will be monetary benefits as well as fame and these things can easily corrupt a young man. And if they are not guided properly this practice that may have started in college may go on in their professional life.

Last December NCAA suspended Ohio State quarterback Terelle Pryor and four others for the first games of the 2011 season and suspended one other for one game. They violated the NCAA rule that states they cannot sell memorabilia such as jerseys, championship rings, and trophies while they are still in school. The rule against selling sports gear while playing NCAA is quite new since it has just been added after players from the University of Georgia were caught selling a jersey and some championship rings on eBay in 2003. Again, these football players are flouting rules even when they are just in college. Can you imagine what they might be doing once they have the fame, the endorsements, the money and the women?

What was worse about this is the fact that Ohio State coach Jim Tressel found out about it in April from an email that was sent to him but never reported it. He was suspended for two games and was fined $250,000 but NCAA is still investigating the matter and might impose steeper sanctions against Tressel. Coach Tressel was publicly reprimanded and apologized Tuesday night, saying he had let some people down. And I have to add that he not only let down the people of Ohio but more importantly his players because he had a wrong idea of protection. He did not report because he was protecting his kids knowing they would be taken out of the game. The point is these players know that there is a rule against selling sports gear like championship rings, uniform pieces, “gold pants” charms, and awards but still they did it. Then they should be accountable for what they did. Not doing anything about them breaking the rule or any wrong doing is sending other people, especially kids, the wrong message. It would seem that it is but right to keep quiet about broken rules so that they would not be punished.

The NCAA is increasing their enforcement and a lot are getting caught by it and thus there has been a deluge of scandals over the past year. There have been criticisms over some of their decisions but players and coaches alike are starting to realize that NCAA does have an idea of what’s going on and they have better ways of getting information these days.