US Open - Djokovic booed for slamming A-Rod

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

Serb Novak Djokovic slammed Andy Roddick for suggesting he had faked several injuries in his previous match after beating the American 6-2 6-3 3-6 7-6 in a gripping US Open quarter-final.

TENNIS 2008 US Open Novak Djokovic - 0

Djokovic had struggled with a hip problem and an upset stomach while battling past Spaniard Tommy Robredo 4-6 6-2 6-3 5-7 6-3 in the fourth round, prompting Roddick to say the Serb had been suffering from "16 injuries."

After sealing victory against Roddick in two hours 34 minutes, the third-seeded Serb said in a courtside interview: "That's not nice anyhow to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and I am faking it.

"I have nothing against anybody. Andy was saying that I have 16 injuries in the last match so obviously I don't, right?" he added, after booking his place in the last four against four-times champion Roger Federer.

"I am really happy playing against Roddick on his court and in his city in his favourite tournament so to win against him is a huge effort."

With the sellout crowd packed around the Arthur Ashe Stadium court booing the Serb's post-match comments, Djokovic added: "Like it or not, it's like that.

"They (the crowd) are already against me because they think I am faking everything, so sorry."

Two days earlier, Roddick had a spring in his step after comfortably beating Chilean 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-2 6-4 6-1 in the previous round.

"I feel good," the eighth-seeded American said. "I've got to feel good, he's got about 16 injuries right now," he then added, referring to his quarter-final opponent.

In his post-match news conference, Roddick continued to make light of the ailing Serb.

When asked about Djokovic's injuries, he said: "A back and a hip? And a cramp? Bird flu... anthrax... SARS... common cough and cold.

"If it's there, it's there. There's just a lot. He's either quick to call a trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time."

Reuters

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  1. I cant believe he got Booed, Novak is easily THE MOST respectful player on the whole tour and definitely in the top 10. He applauds everyone elses good play and he shows fantastic sportsmanship at all times. He is clearly feeling upset that he is being criticised for no good reason.

    From williamdoyle23, on Sun 7 Sep 12:46AM

  2. Hahaha, told you mirjanamrdalj, novak is a choke artist. I'll sweeten the deal for you, if novak EVER gets ranked higher than 3, I'll find you and suck your c*ck. Novak is a dirty serb and should be treated as such. I'm ashamed we allowed him on our sweet pure american soil. PEACE

    From Bert, on Sat 6 Sep 7:15PM

  3. Novak's fans are so so passionate and the political and nationalistic tone of their comments is unsavoury.

    I'll still rather see Novak win than Nadal but at the moment I see prefer Federer's game with Nadal's getting better with his shot-making, serve and even volleys/smashes.

    Novak & Murray seems rather boring in my view but their game of grinding things out wiil always result in injuries.

    I am not happy with the injury break and the obvious abuse of it. Even the girlies do it - Jelena, Maria and then we have the toilet breaks from Dementieva.

    I also dont like the time wasting from Novak and Nadal - it bothers on cheating.

    Robredo, Roddick and Federer must have a point about Novak. Roddick might be an all-american boys with his big server and wide grin but he is always so sporting. He has lost mant times to Federer but he rarely says anything ontowards.

    From cosbaba, on Sat 6 Sep 2:33PM

  4. This is wery sad, I realy dont know what`s wrong with people.. This is sport and some @#$% mouth`s are mixing sport and politics.. Novak is wery nice person and he show that from mach to mach, he is real fair player and never whant to abuse other players like Robredo did, after all Robredo started all of this because he was angry for loosing the mach and nobody manshion hem! Rodick is now defending himself but that what he was sayin wasn`t a joke, He said that Novak is fakin everything! Stop with politics and those craps, I am Serbian and I`m prowd on Novak`s results, He shows that he have a heart and he play with pashion, not cold like Federer or some other players, he have some style, maybe strange to other people but that`s who we are and that is why are we the best almost in all sports! Novak will be No1. IDEMO NOLE ! ! !

    From ignedjordjevski, on Sat 6 Sep 11:50AM

  5. I don't like mixing sport and politics but the whole whole world knows that the Serbs are war mongering fanatics who've raped and killed thousands of innocent civilians in the war with Croatia. I fear for Roddicks safety

    From jammycritter, on Sat 6 Sep 2:47AM

  6. I don't like mixing sport and politics but the whole whole world knows that the Serbs are war mongering fanatics who've raped and killed thousands of innocent civilians in the war with Croatia. I fear for Roddicks safety

    From jammycritter, on Sat 6 Sep 2:46AM

  7. Novak, you used to be so cool so let me impart a word to the wise: Don't be talkin sh#t on the hometown favorite. This is the united states, we lynch fools for less than that. PS mirjanamrdalj, if Novak does anything but choke against Fed I'll find you and suck ur c*ck, swear on my mothers grave.

    From Bert, on Sat 6 Sep 1:27AM

  8. NOVAK IS FUTURE KING OF TENNIS

    From Mirjana, on Fri 5 Sep 10:35PM

  9. Novak Djokovic is goin to win the US OPEN ...
    We love u Nole...Srbija je uz tebe!!! :)))

    From bmix@..., on Fri 5 Sep 10:09PM

  10. §§§§§§§ keep guessing & dreaming ________---ony 2 in it ----- NADAL -- v -- Federrer

    to contest the paper prize $$ 1.5 million $$ --------- talk about it again -------MONDAY

    From controlclimate, on Fri 5 Sep 6:09PM

  11. Guys, it will be Nole and Rafa in 2008 US OPEN finals. But I am rooting for NADAL. Go Rafa, GO!!! DINARA, Go for the 2008 US Open title. Go Dinara, go Rafa!!! Congratulations to YAHOOO!!!

    From , on Fri 5 Sep 4:05PM

  12. The comments by Roddick show the difference between Djoko and him. Roddick talks and talks before the match and then gets beat by an injured player. Djoko keeps shut before the match, destroys Roddick and then opens his mouth. Nadal vs Djoko for the final

    From arshad_iceman2, on Fri 5 Sep 3:57PM

  13. Great Job Nole,You're the BEST!!! Rodick obviously realizes the only one infectious disease he could never get is the Serbian will (INAT)and heart. We're proud of you!!!

    From ljuticebogdana, on Fri 5 Sep 3:55PM

  14. NOVAK DJOKOVIC RULES!
    NOVAK IS GENIUS!

    From Misa, on Fri 5 Sep 3:44PM

  15. It's not anyone business if he has injures or not. If Roddick have been playing better tennis he would have won that match. And he should not laugh about someones injures, because one day he will suffer it and everyone will say that he is faking. Then he will know how does it feel...

    From aedwen, on Fri 5 Sep 3:26PM

  16. If the rules allow medical time out, then it is allowed and no FUSS about it. The important thing is that when one player get rested during medical timeouts, the other player is rested too. if a player does not like a rest believing it could make him cold, jug a little on the court, is it hard or is it easier for a loser to drink the SOUR grape juice?

    If one loses the game, that is because anyone is capable of losing although everyone would love to win the game. One can win or can lose but no other person holds his racket for him. It is unsportsmanlike to blame the rules or the opponent.

    From , on Fri 5 Sep 2:58PM

  17. guys,you can say whatever you want but,like erratic.results said the final will be reserved for Nadal and Federer(no doubt).No other one can do it,they are born for finals and are the best tennis players currently.

    From Faton, on Fri 5 Sep 2:54PM

  18. BRAVOOOOOH NOVAK, U REALLY DESERVE TO WIN AND FORGET ALL THE BAD LOOSER/BITTERNESS AND UNACCEPTABLE/UNMANNERED VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL WORDS...KEEP GOING AND ENJOY THE WORLD OF TENNIS VICTORIES!!!

    From are_j, on Fri 5 Sep 2:54PM

  19. Novak Djokovic is a hero and super player!

    From Vladan, on Fri 5 Sep 2:46PM

  20. WELL -- WHO CARES BOYS -- ---- THE $1.5 MILLION $ IS STILL BETWEEN ----NADAL __& FEDERRER

    From controlclimate, on Fri 5 Sep 2:42PM
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