NEW YORK (AP) — Novak Djokovic used some of his spotlight as the world’s top tennis player to let another light shine.
Djokovic, who often stays during the U.S. Open at the home of friend Gordon Uehling, ended his post-match news conference Saturday by inviting Uehling’s 9-year-old daughter up to the lectern next to him.
“If you don’t mind, this is a first-time experience for my dear friend, Zia,” Djokovic told reporters after his straight-set victory over Sam Querrey. “She’s a musician. She’s a prodigy, a future star and this is a very valuable experience for her. So please do ask one question.”
“What instrument do you play?” a reporter asked. Guitar, she answered.
“Are you writing music and the lyrics?” She is.
“Can you sing a song for us?”
Then, as Djokovic sat with a smile on his face, little Zia belted out a tune she wrote and dedicated to the people of Africa, called “African Sun.”
When she finished, Djokovic wrapped her in a bear hug and a group of reporters gathered around the young singer.
— By Sandra Harwitt.
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NO MUSS, NO FUSS: What’s the secret of Milos Raonic’s perfect hair?
He’s not telling but maybe his slick, jet-black, Cary Grant style will speak for itself.
“It’s got a Twitter account, so it actually does more speaking than I probably do,” said the fifth-seeded Raonic, who acknowledges he follows @milosraonichair himself.
Raonic’s hair, already the subject of much discussion on tour, got a new spritz of publicity Saturday when CBS tennis analyst John McEnroe commented how even gale-force winds wouldn’t muss Raonic’s lid, asking, “Does any piece of his hair ever go out of place?”
“It’s not really a secret … just the right product,” Raonic said after his straight-set victory over Victor Estrella Burgos.
Given the opportunity at his news conference, the big-serving Canadian declined to plug the product, and perhaps pick up a new endorsement contract.
“Maybe I will,” he said, “but I’m not necessarily chasing one at the moment.”
— By Sandra Harwitt.
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U.S. Open Scene follows tennis’ hard-court Grand Slam tournament in New York as seen by journalists from The Associated Press. It will be updated throughout the day.
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