Ubitennis founder Ubaldo Scanagatta is known for unique questioning of players in press conferences and he made no exception during his latest exchange with Novak Djokovic.
The world No.1 spoke to reporters following his clinical 6-0, 6-2, 6-3, win over Sweden’s Mikael Ymer in the first round of the French Open. Speaking via video link to journalists around the world Djokovic addressed topics such as his 2016 win at the tournament, the number of drop shots he made during his latest match and if his recent US Open misfortune was on his mind. Then it was Ubaldo’s turn.
“I’d like to know since you always think about everything, strategically, sometimes do you choose to give long answers just because you respect very much our questions and journalists? Or you do it so you have less questions to answer at the end? You’re clever, you know,” the veteran Italian journalist asked.
A smiling Djokovic welcomed the random but actually valid point brought up by Scanagatta, who has been accredited at more than 150 Grand Slams during his career. His answer to the first question he was asked was 320 words alone. So is the Serbian tennis great playing tactics when it comes to speaking with the media?
“I take that as a compliment. I try to give you material. I don’t see you guys in person, so it’s not easy to communicate this way, but I guess it is something we have to accept as kind of a temporary reality,” he said via webcam.
“I don’t know how to comprehend what you just asked me because I don’t know if you’re satisfied or not satisfied with my answers. If you want me to keep them short, I will keep them short.
“You tell me, Ubi. You know you’re one of my favourites. So tell me, what do you want?”
As one of his ‘favourites’, Scanagatta requested a mixture of both during what was a light-hearted and humorous exchange between the two. Explaining this way it would enable more journalists to ask more questions within a time frame. Press conferences at tournaments usually have a time limit.
“Sometimes short when it’s not necessary to give a long answer. And sometimes, you know, you give us more options, you know. We can ask you more questions.” He candidly stated.
As the banter continued the Italian was then caught out by Djokovic, who took note of his background. In his Florence home, Scanagatta had a poster with two members of the Big Three on it. Who was the missing member? Djokovic, of course!
Fortunately there are no hard feelings and Djokovic will surely be sending a photo of him to Florence shortly.
The full transcript
UBALDO: I’d like to know since you always think about everything, strategically, sometimes do you choose to give long answers just because you respect very much our questions and journalists? Or you do it so you have less questions to answer at the end? You’re clever, you know.
DJOKOVIC: Well, thank you. I take that as a compliment. I try to give you material. I don’t see you guys in person, so it’s not easy to communicate this way, but I guess it is something we have to accept as kind of a temporary reality. I don’t know how to comprehend what you just asked me because I don’t know if you’re satisfied or not satisfied with my answers. If you want me to keep them short, I will keep them short. You tell me, Ubi. You know you’re one of my favourites. So tell me, what do you want?
UBALDO: Sometimes short when it’s not necessary to give a long answer. And sometimes, you know, you give us more options, you know. We can ask you more questions.
DJOKOVIC: Well, as I told you, you are one of my favourites, but I see that I am not one of your favourites. In your background I can see two familiar faces that definitely is not me there.
UBALDO: Send me a great picture of yours.
DJOKOVIC: It’s hard to find, eh?
