JOIN USThat's precisely the level of anonymity the Russian dark horse for this year's Australian Open wants. "I am not Paris Hilton," the world number six told reporters after he dismantled German qualifier Dieter Kindlmann 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in the Australian Open first round on Tuesday.
“I don't want to be like (Rafael) Nadal or (Roger) Federer. I never see these guys by breakfast. They stay in the room and call for room service. I like to go downstairs and have breakfast, or to go somewhere for dinner -- not be so famous." Davydenko, who admitted he is not even widely recognised in his homeland , said. He finished 2009 on a massive high after beating Federer, Nadal and US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro to win the ATP Tour Finals in London.
The win in the season-ending shootout had not changed his career much, though the prize money more than covered a two-week diving holiday in the Maldives with his wife afterwards. His new-found confidence at the net combined with his speed around the court has created a very dangerous player. After losing to Davydenko in London, Del Potro told him it was like playing against a Playstation character.
"I want to be fast. I want to be running fast," Davydenko said. "Del Potro told me now I am like PlayStation 3. Everybody is thinking I am very fast on the court.
"Now I try to be faster and faster and come to level PlayStation 4. I hope I can do this. It's very important to me."