US Open - Djokovic apologises to Roddick

Eurosport - Fri, 05 Sep 16:37:00 2008

Novak Djokovic said he overreacted to jokes about his long list of injuries when he lashed out at Andy Roddick after defeating the American to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.

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"He made a joke and it was a misunderstanding," the third-seeded Serbian said after he had cooled off following an angry courtside outburst that brought boos from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

"Maybe I exaggerated and reacted bad in that moment. I apologise if I reacted like that. This was just impulsive."

Roddick had commented to the crowd courtside after his previous match on the assorted maladies cited by Djokovic, who complained about stomach, hip, ankle and breathing problems during his five-set win against Spain's Tommy Robredo.

"That's not nice anyhow to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and I am faking it," Djokovic said on court after a 6-2 6-3 3-6 7-6 victory set up a semi-final clash against four-times champion Roger Federer.

Roddick, who had joked to reporters that anthrax, bird flu and SARS could be future complaints from the Serb, also tried to defuse the issue in his post-match news conference.

"It was completely meant in jest," the 2003 US Open winner said. "I'm sorry he took it that way. There's nothing else to say. I don't think I was over the line. It wasn't my intention and I'm sorry he felt that way.

"Maybe I did him a favour tonight," Roddick added ruefully, suggesting he might have inadvertently fired up the Serb.

Djokovic would not detail his current physical condition but gave no signs of duress in dispatching Roddick.

"I had a very, very tough day yesterday," said the 21-year-old Serb, who was given medical treatments during the Robredo match. "Physically I was feeling very exhausted and very empty. I wasn't able to practise."

Other players in the past, including Roger Federer during a Davis Cup rubber, have accused Djokovic of stretching the rules that allow players to receive multiple medical breaks provided it was a new problem that needed to be treated by the trainer.

"Maybe people think that I'm exaggerating with these things," Djokovic said, "but I just want to make sure that everything is all right. That's all.

"It doesn't mean that if I'm inviting a doctor to the court or a physiotherapist that I'm dying."

Roddick suggested another underlying current to disquiet in the locker room with Djokovic having last year entertained fans at the National Tennis Center with on-court parodies of tennis luminaries including Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova.

"I figure if you're going to joke and imitate other people and do the whole deal, then you should take it," Roddick said.

Reuters

Comment 73 - 92 of 92

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  1. Rodick is the best so Gjokivic shut up the big mouth. Go Roddick

    From arbri_zz, on Mon 6 Oct 8:33PM

  2. You may all say what u like about djokovic, but the main thing is :A good player is always a good player irrespective of the country.put aside the sentiment.All of these players are of various attitude deficiency.UP NOLE

    From femi, on Sun 7 Sep 5:25PM

  3. Djoko is just missunderstood like all serbs are

    From djugnedim, on Sun 7 Sep 2:59PM

  4. ignedjordjevski

    i am not agree with you. i know serbians are good peoples. but your novak not he is egoist and he is like a clown always.

    unfortunatelly you are losers for another one time.

    but regarding serbians Jelena is an ecxelent person and she is excemplary for her country. why your novak does not take examples from her?

    i have to go now we have party becouse we win novak

    From maria s, on Sat 6 Sep 10:44PM

  5. marijan.batinic
    Did you see hwo kiss @#$%????

    From Nara D, on Sat 6 Sep 8:53PM

  6. Bravo Nole!!! It is sport's forum and not political forum!!! So, please do not use these known american attitude-being rude and without any manners! Nole is a great player and it is irrelevant from what country he is. American audience is known after thier not sport's attitude, and it is not a big deal; they will forget it soon when Nole wins us open next year!!! As for Rodick, it is pity that young man speaks like that. we all know his reactions at the court, which are not gentleman like at all. Any way, it is very interesting that atp tennis players are so close in relation with their playing quality. One more time bravo Nole!!! All the best!!!

    From mira, on Sat 6 Sep 7:12PM

  7. fed leading 2sets to one...

    From nthk8, on Sat 6 Sep 6:18PM

  8. rhymes450..hope to hear ur comment bou fed n djoke match..

    From nthk8, on Sat 6 Sep 6:17PM

  9. lots of planes flying around stadium..might b sent by djoke to distract federer..

    From nthk8, on Sat 6 Sep 6:10PM

  10. lov to listen to mats live comment..so soothing..

    From nthk8, on Sat 6 Sep 6:03PM

  11. I dont know about you but I dont like this djokovic guy. vAMOS NADAL!!!!!!!!!!

    From Yunike Phostina, on Sat 6 Sep 5:40PM

  12. com 74 n 75.lets b friends..watching semi LIVE ..DJOKE LEADING FED..

    From nthk8, on Sat 6 Sep 5:36PM

  13. endrew777 defeat federer in 4sets while ignedjordjevski demolish rafa in 5sets!!wat a match..

    From nthk8, on Sat 6 Sep 5:27PM

  14. Nole has a typical serbian character: when they are winning they are exaggerating-they are the best,nobody like him/her; when they are loosing it is somebodies fault. Nole is a good player and does not need cheap acting.

    From siskra83, on Sat 6 Sep 4:03PM

  15. Jessy M

    Men, you dont`t have idea of what are you talkin about.. Maby only in US people think like that, that is american style. Will you bombard Serbia for that??

    From ignedjordjevski, on Sat 6 Sep 3:47PM

  16. Djokovic is a looser..

    From Half A Brain, on Sat 6 Sep 3:46PM

  17. Yeah It's high time the CLOWN from SERBIA stop his pathetic pantomine putting everybody off with his faking ANTICS and not so funny JOKES about his fellow players.
    If he has no respect to his fellow players least for himself then expect his most neutral fans have no respect for him Mr 'Djoker-vic'. Shame I like the man but now he is no more than a joke gone wrong into the deep. No doubt he's got a problem with himself. Perhaps a psychiatrist would do him some good. No offence. Nole is almost the best tennis player at present behind Nadal but also the worst offender.
    And the funniest thing is that the dam-ned bas-tard will win the US Open because he is so incensed he is going to crush and demolish everybody in his path as it happened with A-Rod such it is his anger. Please Mr Nole chill out and think of your actions next time.

    From AndJustice4All, on Sat 6 Sep 3:09PM

  18. endrew777

    Are you some kind of teacher here?? People write as they know, not everybody born in England or US so respect that moron!

    From ignedjordjevski, on Sat 6 Sep 2:54PM

  19. startoratora - can't write, can't type can't read, can't spell , you coward, idiot .

    From Endrew, on Sat 6 Sep 2:45PM

  20. maria s

    Novak is not a bad character, that is where are people wrong, they don`t know the Serbian`s, everything wee do, wee do that with pashion, with heart and that`s why Novak is acting that way, that`s why he pumps his right hand on the heart, not because he is arogant, not because he is agresive, it`s because he play tenis with sometime too more pashion and people need to understand that and they will see the real personality of Novak...

    From ignedjordjevski, on Sat 6 Sep 2:44PM
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