Paul McNamee: Novak’s imitation of Sharapova misunderstood – "It Was Purely Him"
ATPWednesday, 04 September 2024 at 19:30
Former
Australian player Paul McNamee spoke about the iconic impersonation Novak
Djokovic did of Maria Sharapova. The former doubles world No. 1 stated that
Nole's impersonation made people perceive him as someone who tries too hard to
please others.
However,
according to McNamee, this is not the case with Nole. The Australian sat down
to talk with Djokovic at the 2024 US Open with Sport Klub and has known Nole
for 20 years (since his first appearance at the Australian Open, where McNamee
was the director).
"His
first match at the Australian Open was in 2005 against Marat Safin, and I was
the director of AO at the time, and I escorted him out on the court. If you
watch that video, you will see me accompanying Novak and Marat to that match,
so I was there for Novak’s first Grand Slam match."
McNamee
referred to the occasion when Djokovic impersonated his close friend Maria
Sharapova, generating laughs during 2023. According to McNamee, people
mistakenly thought Djokovic was only trying to please others: "He took the
microphone and sang at the New Year’s party, he was friendly to everyone, so
open and refreshing. That character of his later was pushed into the
background," McNamee said.
"When
he imitated Sharapova and the others, people said that he was trying too hard
to please others, but actually, that was Novak – that’s what I saw when he was
a teenager, simply that’s how he was, open, that’s how he was before ‘Novak
Djokovic’ became a celebrity."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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