Tennis players take to Twitter to report to fans
RAFAEL Nadal is comfortably beating Novak Djokovic and world No 1 Roger Federer is not even playing: this is not an upside-down world, but the universe of tennis players on Twitter.
Social networks are playing a big part in the London Olympics, with the games set to be the most tweeted, blogged and reported upon event in history. The 6million users that the micro-blogging website Twitter had by the time of the 2008 Beijing Games has since multiplied by 100. And tennis players are among those who use the site the most.
With 1,1-million followers, world No 2 Djokovic can claim the most Twitter fans among the tennis players participating in the Olympics. But the social network’s gold would have to go to Nadal.
He used Twitter to announce to his 2,7-million followers that an injury would be preventing him from playing at the games, where he was set to carry Spain’s flag in the opening ceremony.
“I’m really sorry, but I don’t feel up to competing at the Olympics. This is one of the saddest moments in my career,” he tweeted ahead of the games.
But the world No 3 has been following events in London from afar. Nadal used Twitter to cheer on the Spanish contingent and offer his support to his basketballer friend Pau Gasol, chosen to carry the flag in his place. “Enjoy it!” Nadal tweeted to Gasol before the opening ceremony.
Djokovic also posted a photo of Friday’s opening night, in which he was his country’s flagbearer.
“The excitement, adrenaline, the atmosphere — everything was just perfect,” he wrote.
“I haven’t felt anything like that in a long time and I’m still under the strong impression.”
Argentinian player Juan Monaco used Twitter to rave about Djokovic.
“With Novak Djokovic, a great guy and one of the best fun on the tour,” he posted, along with a photo of him hugging the Serb at the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony.
Of the 16 seeded players in the men’s Olympic tennis tournament, 10 players have active Twitter accounts.
The most striking exception is the great favourite to win gold on Wimbledon’s grass courts, Roger Federer. But the Swiss has other online ways to communicate with his fans. Federer has 11-million followers on the social networking website Facebook. Shortly before the start of the games, he posted a photo with the London 2012 sign. “Really looking forward to playing in Wimbledon the second time this year!” he wrote.
Federer has already won the traditional tournament at the All England Club three weeks ago, for the seventh time in his career.
He is back as virtually everyone’s top candidate to claim part two, which would also be his first Olympic gold in a singles tour- nament — to add to the doubles gold he won in Beijing.
Among the women, the most popular on Twitter is Serena Williams. The US player, the world’s No 4, has 2,9-million followers — ahead of her sister Venus, who has 842 000.
But just how far the online rankings differ from the real world is best demonstrated by Sania Mirza.
The beautiful Indian, who is playing in London, can boast that she is world No 3 on the Twitter tennis ranking.
For the WTA Tour, however, she is listed as No 247.
Andy Roddick set up an Olympic clash with Djokovic as the three-time Wimbledon runner-up defeated Martin Klizan 7-5 6-4 in the first round yesterday. Former world No 1 Roddick will meet Djokovic for a place in the last 16 following the American’s gritty victory over Slovakia’s Martin Klizan. Sapa-AFP