Now that the US Open is over, there’s a lot of down time around the Tennis Now office. Some have chosen to knuckle down in prep for the Davis Cup; over-achievers. While others haven’t even noticed and are still as busy as they were before; tired over-achievers. Then there are the rest of us, scrapping the bottom of the internet barrel to find something interesting to write about. Any sliver of gossip, a glint of drama, or even a mildly interesting tweet, we’ll hop on it like Lady Gaga to anything out of the ordinary. But alas, when even our best efforts cannot be met there’s still that awkward lull. The one when you look around at your co-workers as they furiously type away and you’re…daydreaming; time waster.
Well, that’s not true. My mind is definitely busy at work, only not on anything work related. Currently, I’m in a nightclub, only where I am they’re still called Discotechque’s; such is the way in Belgrade. The mix of house and trance music is pounding against the walls and no matter where you are in the club, you can feel it pushing up against you.
A friend, we’ll say TennisNow news anchor Lauren Lynch, and I are sitting at the bar watching patrons dance and act like complete fools. As I scan the crowd for the girl wearing the shortest skirt with the highest heels, and there always is one, Lauren grabs my arm and says “Is that Novak Djokovic?” I follow her finger and confirm that yes it is, in fact, the world No. 2 ranked player. I lean over and discreetly yell over the music “and that guy, the one bringing drinks to the table, is that Janko Tipsarevic?”
Lauren nods her confirm, “it’s so sad, you know, his wife and everything.” “What happened?” I ask. “Licked to death by kittens.” “How awful, that’s been happening a lot lately,” I respond “those poor guys. That's the same thing that happened to Nole's girlfriend.” As we glance back to the guys, we notice they’re whispering to one another as Janko points towards us. We look at one another for a moment and then smile at the guys. They suddenly begin to wave us over. “Should we go?” I ask. “Sure, we work in tennis, they play tennis. Why not?” Lauren responds.
As we fight our way through the crowd, shaking our heads at people offering whistles and glowsticks, the DJoker and Tipsy, not just a cute nickname anymore, begin to make room for us at their booth. Before making it to the table, I notice a fan has come over and has asked for a photo with Janko, he happily obliges.
When we finally make it to them, the introductions begin “Hi, I’m Kim and this is…” Nole holds up his hand to stop me, “I know who she is, Lauren Lynch, no?” “Yes,” she answered. “I watch your videos all the time. I am a big fan of Tennis Now. I am Novak, this is Janko, we are both swinging guys! Both Janko and I enjoy doing many things.” “We are.. two wild and crazy guys!” said Tipsarevic, holding up his caipirinha in some kind of celebration. “Well, you two both look like some foxy American girls, who are very attractive and who enjoy having a good swinging time. We are leaving this club soon, come with us?” said Janko.
“Uh…please excuse us for a moment,” Lauren says and pulls me away from the booth. “What should we do?” she ask. As I look at the boys and look back at Lauren milling over our options, the obvious choice is staring me right in the face. I take her arm and walk back to the table, "we'd love to go with you, " I say.
To be continued….
All photo's from @JankoTipsarevic