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 today.

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 trainer calls 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 apologizing 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 favor."

Djokovic was known for his impersations 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 apologize but this was just impulsive. I had a lot of emotions in the last two days.

"If I exaggerated, if I made a mistake saying that in front of 20,000 people, it was not very intelligent. I do apologize. It was not bad intentions. I just hope people understand. I just don't want this to happen in a bad way."

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."

"I know what I'm doing is right. I never make a medical timeout because I want to distract the opponent or make the result look worse. Maybe people think I'm exaggerating these things but it's nothing negative. I get pain. I just want to make it right.

"In the middle of a match, you are trying to get yourself the best as possible. It doesn't mean if I invite a doctor to the court that I'm dying. I felt pain in a certain moment and I want to make sure everything is all right."

Asked to analyze Djokovic's upcoming semi-final against four-time defending champion Roger Federer, Roddick held his tongue.

"I'm not touching anything," he said.

AFP

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