We were too busy absorbing the recent achievements of Serbian fellas Nenad Zimonjic, Novak Djokovic, and Janko Tipsarevic that we couldn’t read up on the fourth dude, Viktor Troicki. (He reminds me of Ryan Donowho.)
But with some time online, we found out more about Troicki, who fell to Nadal in the first round of this year’s, but kicked ass in Moscow when he took down Dmitry Tursunov 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-3 in a Davis Cup (dead) rubber. He even took Kolya to five in the second singles match of the tie.
By the way, plenty has been written about how the Serbians physically fell apart in the hands of the Russians (i.e., “poisoning”, “tampering”, etc.) — but we should give the Russians a pat on the back for their work. Especially Kolya, who needed a win this weekend after being weak link in last year’s final against the U.S.
Take that, Nike! An article in the Christian Science Monitor shed some light on how he came to partner with Diadora for his on-court clothing:
“In 2003, Troicki was in the locker room before a top juniors tournament when a representative from Nike arrived to hand out gear to young players the company sponsored. When the rep saw Troicki — not on his list — wearing Nike clothes, he offered the young player a contract on the spot. But when he heard Troicki was from the poor and internationally vilified Yugoslavia — which Serbia was then still part of — it didn’t exactly strike the rep as fertile ground for brand exposure. He took back the contract and said they’d wait to see how Troicki did at the tournament. The young Serbian tennis player never heard from him again.
“‘I think he’s regretting it now,’ laughs Troicki, who now has deals with Prince and [Diadora]. ‘In Serbia, tennis is the most popular sport now.’
Oops. I guess Nike has their hands full now with Masha, Roger, and Rafa. But who knows what could have been if they sponsored these then Yugoslavians?
(via CSM; photos via viktortroicki.com and Getty Images)
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tennis served fresh 
February 12, 2008 at 12:16 am |
I’m surprised the Russians didn’t resort to Polonium poisoning!
And anyway, wasn’t Marat Safin sick too? Did they poison him as well?
And Novak and Janko probably got sick because they were making out with each other. Clearly.
February 12, 2008 at 10:48 am |
Marat had a fracture in his leg. Perhaps they beat him up as a cover for what they did to the Serbs. Hah!
February 16, 2008 at 12:10 am |
Viktor Troicki!
I’ve been a HUGE fan of his ever since I watched the match between him and Rafael Nadal.
I always knew this guy had potential. Finally he’s getting a bit more credit for his talent!
I can’t wait to see him rise further up the ranking!
February 16, 2008 at 7:46 am |
Same here Monique! I’ve been a Troicki fan since Oz open. I hope to see more of him in the upcoming tourneys.
February 17, 2008 at 1:03 am |
Yay! There should be a Viktor Troicki fansite. 🙂
It’s a shame for me though, because they don’t show the tournaments on television in Australia.
I demand for live tennis in Australia!
February 17, 2008 at 4:28 am |
You’re right!! Well I just found out yesterday that he has an official website, viktortroicki.com but no fansite yet. No live tennis coverage in Australia? Really? 🙂
February 18, 2008 at 1:41 am |
Viktortroicki.com! I looked Viktor up the day after his match with Nadal, and I randomly typed in ViktorTroicki.com…
I actually sent him a fan mail, and I’ve waited for about 2 months (not that I expect him to reply or anything). Haha!
And no, we don’t have live tennis in Australia; it sucks! The only time we get live tennis is when the Australian Open is on, obviously. =)
February 18, 2008 at 6:50 am |
Aaaww, that’s too bad. But I’m really glad that there is another Troicki fan here! Yay! 🙂
February 18, 2008 at 11:35 pm |
Me too! It’s rare finding a Troicki fan, eh?
Well, once he gets more fame (and fans), we can say we were one of the first fans/supporters. 😀
Unless there are Viktor Troicki fangirl groups out there that we don’t know about…
February 19, 2008 at 12:34 am |
Well I’m sure there are, especially in Serbia but still we are one of his first fans! Go Viktor!
February 19, 2008 at 10:56 pm |
Woot! Which other tennis players do you support? :]
February 20, 2008 at 5:55 am |
I’m a big fan of Lleyton Hewitt!!! I hope you are too because you’re an Aussie 🙂 hehe. I also like Youzhny. How about you?
February 20, 2008 at 11:15 pm |
I’m actually not a big supporter of the Australian tennis players! Weird, I know…
I don’t mind Lleyton Hewitt, I mean, I’d support him if he was playing against someone who I’m not familiar with.
I’m also not one of those tennis know-it-alls, either. Haha!
I’ve only been obsessing over tennis after the Australian Open, because that’s when I really appreciated the sport =)
Hmm… I really like the Serbian players. Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic etc. And VIKTOR TROICKI! Obviously. XDD
February 21, 2008 at 12:56 am |
I’ve been into tennis after watching Hewitt play in the Davis Cup, i think five years ago, when Australia got the title. 🙂 Yeah, it’s pretty weird, but it’s okay. I also like Janko, after giving Roger a thrilling 5 set match in the Oz open! But Novak, not that much, only if he’s up against Roger or Rafa. ^_^ Hopefully this season will be a good one for our man, Viktor!
February 21, 2008 at 10:54 pm |
Ahh, I see…
Five years! I’ve only been a fan for like, 2 months. XD
That’s why I started supporting Janko! Because of that fantastic match against Roger. Man, he really has the coolest glasses EVER!
A lot of people don’t like Novak because of his “arrogance” (I don’t think he’s arrogant), but yeah…
Me too! I really do hope they air some tennis here in Australia…
There’s too much cricket being shown D=
February 22, 2008 at 12:52 am |
Those nerdy glasses are HOT!!! 🙂
I find Novak very funny especially when he did those impressions and I would prefer him over Roger and Rafa. He really deserves the Oz Open title, I mean, beating Roger in straight sets?! Wow..
Yeah, cricket is very famous there in Australia. But you know I really can’t understand how it is played! ^_^ haha
February 23, 2008 at 12:26 am |
Mhmm. They’re the hottest glasses ever. Even hotter than Harry Potter’s. Haha!
I think he looks better with those glasses on…
I know! Novak’s awesome 🙂
I don’t really like Roger or Rafa.
I don’t fully understand cricket either! I was in the school cricket team (but I was dreadful) 2 years ago, but I didn’t even know what an “over” was. It’s quite complicated. XD
February 23, 2008 at 4:07 am |
Haha. Yeah, I think so too!
You were in a cricket team?? Cool.
Have you tried playing tennis? 🙂
February 24, 2008 at 3:24 am |
Hehe. I didn’t deserve to be on the team, I made them lose. =S
Nooo! I’ve never held a racquet in my life!
It’s quite sad actually. I really want to play one day… I’d probably (accidentally) kill someone by hitting it at their head really hard.
BUT! I have once replaced a shuttlecock with a tennis ball when I was playing Badminton. LOL!
I nearly broke the racquet…
=S
February 24, 2008 at 4:01 am |
Cricket is not for you. ^_^
That was funny!! I’ve never tried hitting a tennis ball using a badminton racquet!
I played a few times, it was fun but the coach had a hard time with me especially with my forehand, I sent the balls flying all over the court! My backhand is better, though. I was wondering why it looks pretty easy on TV. haha You should try it! 🙂
February 25, 2008 at 2:55 am |
Awww! Wow… it sounds like so much fun.
When I played table tennis, all my shots hit the very edge of the table, and because my friend and I totally suck, I kept beating her. ^.^
But I guess table tennis and tennis are completely different.
My cousin in Thailand plays Badminton, and he’s a kinda familiar in his home town. A bit like Viktor Troicki maybe 2 years ago. XD
Yes I must try tennis one day, but where? There is a free tennis court in my suburb area, but I don’t have a racquet.
Can’t you get cheap racquets that cost about $5-$10 dollars or something?
Yes, the EXTREMELY cheap ones. XD
February 25, 2008 at 4:05 am |
I took table tennis in PE class before, it was also fun. I often scored because of my opponent’s errors. haha But yeah tennis and table tennis are very different.
Whoah! Is he a pro badminton player? Awesome. ^_^ Badminton is a very popular sport here in the Philippines and much more affordable than tennis. 🙂
That was my problem before, I couldn’t find cheap racquets here. I got mine from a friend, she bought it in Canada for $12.
You’re a bit luckier than I am, because there are no free tennis courts here! 🙂
March 1, 2008 at 12:10 am |
We use to play table tennis in PE, but the tables are gone now. >.>
I love Badminton! Yeah, I guess he is pro =D
Oh wow… I can’t find cheap tennis racquets anywhere. Only the $200+ ones. I once saw a tennis racquet for $5, but it was for little kids. XD
I think the tennis court in my suburb is the only free tennis court. xD
It’s not very good though, because you have to ask the suburb’s office thing for the net and stuff…
March 3, 2008 at 4:05 am |
I also enjoy badminton, well it’s the easiest sport to learn (I think)! :p
I hope you can also try playing tennis, I wish you luck in finding a cheap racquet. ^_^ hehe Have you tried looking in ebay? But most of the racquets there are second hand.
BTW, here’s my email address : nik_nat5887@yahoo.com
We can talk more about Viktor and the rest of our fave players! Exciting matches coming up this week in Dubai and Las Vegas. 🙂
March 10, 2008 at 1:42 am |
I keep forgetting to reply! *bangs head*
Haha! You should’ve seen my friend when I tried to teach her to play badminton; it was so hilarious.
Thank you! Hopefully I shall find one, one day. xD
I’m not allowed to shop on eBay, my parents never give out their credit card number. Lol XD
I added you on msn. =D Wait, do you have msn?
Luckyy! Tell me about the matches, seeing as Australia likes making me depressed by not airing anything I like >.>
March 12, 2008 at 4:04 am |
Haha, it sounds funny!
I don’t have msn! But I have a YM. 🙂 Just leave a message, so I’ll know it’s you, I got scared adding friends in my ym coz my brother’s account has just been hacked :s
Indian Wells this week, best of luck to our guys! ^_^