Australian Open 2012 live stream

Nikolay Davydenko is on Facebook. He has 3258 fans – 1731 more than Brussels sprouts, but 3,206,630 less than Roger Federer.

But tennis is not a popularity contest. Or is it?

After listening to the world No.6 speak this week, popularity, money and the media’s incessant bleating about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal seem to be foremost in the Russian’s mind.

“It's always talk about Federer, Nadal, Federer, Nadal. Yeah, these guys always come in the final, play against guys both in finals in every Grand Slam.
 
“But who knows now ... Game is change now ... It's not always Federer and Nadal in finals.”

Born in the Ukraine in 1981, Davydenko started playing tennis as a seven year old with his older brother Eduard, who became his coach when Davydenko turned 11.

After moving away from the family home to further his training in Russia as an 11 year old, Davydenko later moved to Germany when he was 15 to progress his tennis career.

The hard-working Russian who grew up idolising Ivan Lendl made his Grand Slam debut here in 2001, but was beaten in the second round by Australia’s Pat Rafter. Last week Rafter added his voice to the chorus of commentators to recently state that Davydenko could still be in the hunt come the last Sunday in January.

And his recent form has been impressive. But the speedy Russian, who went pro back in 1999, wondered aloud earlier this week why he is still shunned by the media.

“Surprising, you know, these guys start to talking about me, because maybe now [I’m considered a threat]. Before, if nobody [in the media is] talking, then nobody [is] scare[d] [of playing me].
 
Now it's everyone scare[d]. That's why [the media] is start to talking about me and [being a] favourite and everything” explained Davydenko.

And perhaps those remaining in the men’s draw should start to be afraid. Davydenko is on an 11-match winning streak – he won recent tournaments in Doha (he beat Federer in the semis and Nadal in the final) and London at the ATP World Tour Finals, where he beat all three Grand Slam winners from 2009 – Federer, Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro to claim the title.

But despite observing the lack of media camped outside his house, Davydenko insists he does not want to be a paparazzi target.

“I hope not. Then is not so many like say celebrity guys. I am not Paris Hilton. I don't want to be like this. I don't want to be like Nadal, Federer. These guys I never see by breakfast. They stay in the room and take room service.”

One thing that may be contributing to Davydenko’s lack of celebrity could be to do with the art of communicating with fans – something that has grown to a new level in recent years with the rise of social media. And, unlike many of his contemporaries, the Russian does not have a website – perhaps he sees it as a bad investment.

Even in his home country of Russia, the world No.3 admits that he is rarely recognised.
“Russia's [a] big country. [A] really big country. And some part, like in some place, yes, but not everywhere.”

It was at Moscow’s Kremlin Cup last year that Davydenko had a sobering experience while playing retiring countryman Marat Safin.

“I was really disappointed in Moscow when I played against Marat. Mostly, like 80 per cent, supported Safin,” Davydenko told Deuce.

“For sure, it was the last tournament for him. But I saw how many people liked him, how they supported him and enjoyed how he played. I hope that now Marat is finished – and no longer as famous in Russia – that I will be the favourite for Russia and everybody will support me.”

Safin managed to do two things in his career that Davydenko is yet to achieve – the No.1 ranking and win a Grand Slam title. Davydenko, on the other hand has won 20 titles to Safin’s 15.

“It's for sure if I continue, in tennis I feel I have so many titles and memories still feeling, yes. And some memories, some tournaments, like London, Shanghai, Miami, Paris. It's really big tournaments for me. For sure if I'm winning Grand Slam tournaments, it's still my memory.”

And while Davydenko treasures the memories, money is also a motivator.

“You know, if you win money, you need to make more money. That's what's I try to do. Not only with tennis make money. Something else. Some business also to do. Because with tennis you can't do this so much money. “
With career prizemoney of more than USD$13 million, money shouldn’t be that much of an issue for Davydenko. Last year for winning the ATP World Tour Finals in London, Davydenko received USD$1 million. But there were no shopping sprees for Davydenko’s wife of three years, Irina.

“Look, if I buy everything to my wife, how I can invest money?”
 
Looking ahead, Davydenko is not sure what the future holds for him. Business, children, maybe even a book deal, but the Russian is not sure which genre is right for him.

“Write a book? You mean a humor book? Tennis book? Action book? I don't know ... I still play tennis. I don't know what I can do after if I continue tennis really.”

“It's interesting. We're not talking about tennis. We're talking about my life. This is my first experience like this in the press (laughter.)”