Man On Wire

Interesting write-up by Steve Tignor of Nole's win in Dubai.  This was particularly interesting:

During set point, Ferrer hit a ball that landed on the baseline. Someone in Djokovic’s crew called “out!” The point continued until the Serb won it. Instead of celebrating a first-set win, he angrily shushed his fans and slammed his racquet down when he got to the sideline.

This isn’t something you see Federer or Nadal do. Federer might mope, Nadal might get nervous, but neither has to keep a self-sabotaging angry side in check the way Djokovic does. Maybe this has something to do with their styles of play. While Federer can blow open a point with one shot and then cruise, and Nadal can sit back and grind without taking too many chances if he needs to, Djokovic must ride a precarious balance of control and aggression. He’s got more game than almost all of his opponents, but to show it off he needs time to develop a point. If he goes for a lot too early or stays back and rallies for too long, he gives up his shot-making advantage and becomes just another player—his game is not as unique to begin with as any of the other members of the Top 4.

Does anyone get the sense that Nole could be an Agassi in the making?  Too much game, not enough head right now and he's trying desperately to try and figure out the perfect mix of ingredients.  I suspect that as the kid matures he'll mellow a bit and let go and allow his game to just come through without his head and his "dark side" acting as an obstacle.