Picture this: Novak Djokovic pedaling on a bicycle around Wimbledon Village and being chased by random passers-by on his way to Common Park.
That has actually happened to the world No1 during the time he has been here for the Championships although he’ll probably be staying off his bike in the next few days to save himself for the latter stages of the tournament.
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“I’m not going to use my bicycle as much. I think I have to rest my legs. To get to where I’m staying, I have to go uphill, downhill. I prefer not,” he said yesterday.
“But I love biking. I love going around Common Park, jogging, walking around with my family, with my wife, baby, the team. It’s one thing about London that is so special, the nature, the parks. They offer so much tranquility, it’s really beautiful to be around here.”
Asked if there have been any funny incidents, he added laughing: “A little bit of chasing around, but nothing special.”
WATCH Stellar comeback from @DjokerNole prevailing in 5 sets over Kevin Anderson. Here are the highlights… https://t.co/Svs3sgOw8T
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
Life in the village
Indeed, staying at the Village during the tournament makes you feel like you’re part of one big tennis family.
I went for a bite with some fellow journalists on Middle Sunday and Thanasi Kokkinakis and his team were a few tables down.
We walked out into the street and we spotted a blonde waving at us from across the street – it was Caroline Wozniacki. A while earlier we saw Nick Kyrgios walking with the Tomljanovic sisters getting on bus 493, which takes you around the area.
A visit to Chipotle early in the tournament saw me bump into Lleyton Hewitt inside.
There’s no escaping the tennis around here and one thing you learn while you’re out and about is that there is always someone you know listening close by so it’s best to avoid talking tennis in public spaces; more than likely you will talk about a player who is – or whose agent is – sitting right behind you.
Brotherly love
The other day, Andy Murray was answering a serious question about Nick Kyrgios when he stopped mid-sentence and gave a double-fist pump after seeing on the scoreboard his brother, Jamie, had just won a tough five-setter in doubles.
“Sorry, my brother just won,” said the Scot before resuming his answer.
Andy later explained in his BBC column that he actually doesn’t like to watch Jamie’s matches – on TV or live – because he believes he brings him bad luck.
“I don’t really like it. It’s probably not the case but it feels as though when I watch him, he loses,” said Andy.
“When he played the mixed doubles final here in 2007 I was just pacing around, away from Centre Court, checking the score from time to time. I only ran out for the last game when it looked like they might win.”
I wonder if Jamie also thinks Andy is a jinx factor.
