Funkerstation » there is in the country coming in.Jefferson

SHANGHAI -- If Novak Djokovic were asked whats his top objective is at this juncture in his career, hed say the pursuit of happiness.Thats definitely a stark contrast to recent times when the seemingly untouchable world No. 1 appeared focused on the pursuit of perfection.But times change.The 29-year-old Serb, who has ended four of the past five years at No. 1, has run into a rough patch recently. While hes hinted on a few occasions to private issues of concern, theres also been frustrations on the job front.Since his long-awaited victory at Roland Garros in early June, Djokovic bowed out of Wimbledon in the third round in a match in which he seemed uncharacteristically fidgety, was reduced to tears when upset by Juan Martin del Potro in the first round at the Olympics and lost a four-setter to Stan Wawrinka in the US Open final.Reassessing his current situation, Djokovics mantra heading toward the conclusion of the 2016 season, where he could be in a battle with Andy Murray?to retain his No. 1 spot, is an interesting one with ranking points and titles at stake.On Tuesday evening, playing his first match since the US Open because of a right elbow injury, Djokovic beat?Fabio Fognini?6-3, 6-3 in the second round to start defense of his Shanghai title. Afterward, Djokovic had a holistic approach on his return to the court.Thats my priority now, to get back into that inner joy and really feeling happy for being on the court, and everything else -- that comes second and behind that, Djokovic said after the match.Its hard not to take note that practically every thought Djokovic utters here in Shanghai sounds as if it was carved out while taking a turn on Dr. Phils couch. His self-analysis reveals exactly when his world took its unexpected swerve. Finally fulfilling his most cherished quest -- a Roland Garros title, his 12th major win, to complete his set of Grand Slam trophies -- resulted in a raw positive-negative reaction.The period after Roland Garros I had a little bit of difficulties to enjoy, Djokovic admitted. Maybe I was exhausted, mentally and emotionally. I didnt know actually how Im going to react after winning the French Open, because it was very emotional. I was obviously content, but on the other hand I was also very exhausted, and I needed some time to recover, to regroup.Djokovic was quick to make sure no one mistook his philosophizing as a total disregard for his achievements.When I said Im not interested only in winning and lifting trophies, that doesnt mean that Im not interested in that at all, he said. Of course, when I get on the court I will do my best to win the match, as there is no change in that. The shift I would say -- the priority and the mindset towards tennis, career, towards my life -- its different now.Djokovics closest competitors have all battled demons at times as well.Murray, who recently won a second Wimbledon title and defended his Olympic gold medal, offered only empathy for Djokovics current situation.I think it happens to players at different stages, on all different levels, Murray said in Shanghai. I think when you have been trying and working so hard for something like Novak has, to try and win the French Open, for him it was obviously a huge goal and big target for a number of years. Then to finally do it, the few days afterward youre on a huge high and you feel great. Then the low can be pretty tough after that as well, to find new motivation and new goals, and what it is you want to get out of your tennis again.Rafael Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam champion plagued with injuries and without a Grand Slam title the past two years, believes on-court endeavors never equate to contentment.Confidence is when you win, Nadal said. Thats simple and easy, no? Being happy is away from the tennis court. The life is much more than tennis, for me, personally. Its true that the tennis has been for the last 20 years an important part of my life, but in life there is a lot or more important things than just the game.So happiness is the other things: the health of your family, the people who you love. Thats, in my opinion, is happiness.For Djokovic, tennis remains an internal crusade, but one that has changed.I guess Im not the only one in the world, person or tennis player, that has to face this kind of lifes lessons and challenges and, I guess, evolution of some sort, Djokovic said. Each day for all of us is different, even though sometimes we think that its the same.So what should we expect from Djokovic as he spends time on his new soul-searching mission?How long thats going to take, I dont know, Djokovic said. I do really feel like Im already getting better because I changed my mindset. Cheap Air Jordan 4 China . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Cheap Jordan 12 Mens . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. http://www.wholesalejordan12.com/ . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Discount Jordan 4 Royalty . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Jordan 12 Cheap Real . PAUL, Minn. STORRS, Conn. -- Geno Auriemma mightve felt like he had developed multiple personalities this season, and his Connecticut Huskies hadnt even played their home opener yet.The Huskies kept their massive winning streak alive but looked mortal in a two-point win at Florida State on Monday. So as the Huskies raised their latest championship banner high to the rafters of Gampel Pavilion on Thursday, Auriemma and likely the entire state of Connecticut were curious about this latest edition of UConn basketball.After losing perhaps the greatest -- if not the most decorated -- big three that womens college basketball has ever seen in Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck, UConn paid homage to championship No. 11 with perhaps more questions than it has banners entering a showdown with No. 2 Baylor.Im really struggling with what the expectations should be for this team, Auriemma wondered aloud. It has kind of been a real headache-inducing kind of thing for me because I cant figure out what should the expectations be. Should the expectations be, This is Connecticut basketball. Of course you should be in the Final Four and play in the national championship game. And right after I think that, I think, You got to be out of your mind, why would you expect that from this particular group? And then right after I say, Why are you disrespecting these guys?[Then I think] are you going to be like everybody else and expect these guys to not miss a beat? So every day for me has been up and down, up and down, up and down.Auriemma sounds as if hes got as many voices in his head as the tortured Gollum. But college basketballs Lord of the Rings might have his latest freshman gem in Crystal Dangerfield.The 5-foot-5 Dangerfield might have been the smallest player on the court, but no one played bigger as the freshman scored 9 of her 19 points in the second half to lead UConn to a 72-61 victory over Baylor.The third-ranked Huskies (2-0) extended their winning streak to 77 by breaking open a 54-54 tie with 7:27 remaining with a 16-2 run. The surge didnt just finish the Lady Bears (2-1), but it seemed to silence -- for now -- some of the questions about whether this Huskies team can carry on their elite tradition.And Dangerfield did her best to calm some of Auriemmas doubts. The espnW HoopGurlz third-rated recruit in the country buried 8 of 14 shots, including 3 of 5 from behind the arc. She shot her jumper with confidence and spoke afterward the way she shot the ball.She reminded reporters that she has played in big games for USA Basketball, won Tennessee state championships in high school and plenty of other big games in a prolific high school career that included a scoring record of 2,186 points at Blackman High School.A game like that didnt faze me, Dangerfield said after beating Baylor. Big stage. Big game. I love games like this.When UConn struggled in the first half and headed into the loocker room at intermission looking vulnerable with a 32-29 lead, Dangerfield was one of the bright spots for the Huskies with 10 points.ddddddddddddBaylor, which returned four starters from a 36-2 squad the season before, began to flex its muscle in the paint with a 9-2 run to open the third quarter as Kalani Brown and Beatrice Mompremier set an aggressive tone early out of the break. Baylor, which was led by senior guard Alexis Jones game-high 23 points, led 38-34 and the Gampel Gang grew quiet wondering if the Huskies were in trouble.But Kia Nurse scored on a layup and Dangerfield drilled a jumper to tie the score at 38. A couple of minutes later, Dangerfield assisted Katie Lou Samuelson on a 3-pointer and Gabby Williams on a layup. Then she knocked down a 3 of her own and assisted on two more UConn baskets to give the Huskies a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.Baylor was within four midway through the fourth, but Dangerfield responded with two steals as UConn picked up its defense. Dangerfield added a layup and then pretty much sealed the game with a jumper with 1:10 remaining to push the Huskies up 10.With Baylor touting what some believe is the best recruiting class in the country with three top-40 recruits, including espnW HoopGurlz No. 1 recruit Lauren Cox and No. 8 prospect Natalie Chou, Dangerfield was the best freshman on the floor Thursday.I dont want to say shes as good as any point guard that we have ever had, Auriemma said. That is saying too much too soon. But I think any other freshman in the country right now -- she is as good a guard as there is in the country coming in.Jefferson remains the measuring stick.The last time we saw Moriah, she was the best guard in the country, he said. Crystal coming in, out of high school, was a little further ahead than Moriah coming out of high school. ... Will she be further ahead three years from now? I just hope she catches up.On the night UConn unfurled its latest banner -- so new it still has creases in it -- Auriemma unwrapped what could be his next great talent. Perhaps Dangerfield is the recruiting prize that comes from the first class to ever win four straight national championships, led by a legendary trio that went 1-2-3 in the WNBA draft.Who knows if Dangerfield will reach the same heights as so many other stars in this storied program.One thing seems certain: The freshman doesnt lack any confidence in her game. What did she show Auriemma on Thursday?I wont disappear in big games, Dangerfield said. I just want to attack and be in those situations. I am not going to shy away from it. I feel like I have the experience to do it, so Ill be there.I know there are a lot of people that dont believe in us this year. We want to send a message every night we step on the floor. ' ' '