Andy Roddick's jokes about Novak Djokovic's injuries touched a nerve with the Serbian star, helping inspire the Australian Open champion to some fiery words of his own after a US Open victory tonight.
Third seed Djokovic beat the eighth-seeded American 6-2 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-5) to reach a US Open semi-final, then made it clear he was stung by comments hinting that his calls for the trainer during matches were aimed at disrupting foes.
"I've got to feel good because (Djokovic) has got about 16 injuries," Roddick told the crowd after a Tuesday victory over Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, later adding fuel to the fire when asked about a Djokovic ankle injury.
"Isn't it both of them? And a back? and a hip? And a cramp... bird flu... anthrax. SARS, common cough and a cold.
"If it's there, it's there. There's just a lot. You know, he's either quick to call a trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time."
In the aftermath of beating Roddick, Djokovic told the crowd, "Andy said I have 16 injuries. Obviously I don't," drawing boos from Roddick supporters.
"Like it or not, it's like that. They are already against me because they think I'm faking everything. That was not nice to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and I'm faking it. The momentum is not nice."
Roddick and Djokovic spoke minutes later, keeping private the details of the conversation but each apologising to the other if verbal slaps had gotten out of hand.
"It was completely meant in jest," Roddick said. "I'm sorry he took it that way. I don't think I was over the line. It wasn't my intention. Maybe I did him a favour."
Djokovic was known for his impersonations of the mannerisms of other players, his acts wit the mannerisms of Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and even Roddick becoming YouTube video hits.
"I figure if you are going to joke and imitate other people and do the whole deal, then you should take it," Roddick said.
"Especially in Novak's case, if you are going to dish out all the stuff then be able to take it with a smile."
But Djokovic has quit his mimic routines, wary of being in a position such as he finds himself now.
"That's one of the reasons why I stopped doing it," Djokovic said.
"It's not that I don't want to. It's something people will get wrong. I don't want to be fighting with people. This is absolutely not me."
Djokovic remains touchy about the idea that he would fake injuries and use medical timeouts as a disruption tactic instead of for need, the raw nerve Roddick and others have hit in recent days to aggravate him.
"I had a very tough day. Physically I was exhausted and mentally I had a lot of pressure," Djokovic said.
"Unfortunately Andy made a statement. I don't think it was intentional. He made a joke. It was a misunderstanding so I don't blame it on him.
"I did react on the court. Maybe I exaggerated and reacted bad in that moment. I apologise but this was just impulsive. I had a lot of emotions in the last two days."
Djokovic defended himself against criticisms of too many trainer calls during matches, saying he avoided making a call against Roddick but "let's don't talk about it. You will get me wrong again."
