Djokovic Feels Fine, and That's Motivation Enough Against Roddick

Novak Djokovic's list of ailments was so long two days ago that Andy Roddick couldn't help but poke fun.

In addition to a bum hip, turned ankle and upset stomach -- among the maladies that led Djokovic to summon a trainer during a grueling five-set match on Tuesday -- Roddick mused that the Serb was likely battling the bird flu, anthrax poisoning, SARS and the common cold as well.

But Thursday, when the two players met with a semifinal berth in the U.S. Open at stake, it was the Serb who had the last laugh -- although he badly misplayed his hand in jabbing back at Roddick during his post-match remarks, drawing boos and hisses from the capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic's first crime, in the view of the throng of Roddick supporters, was snuffing out an inspired rally by the top American and, in the process, depriving them of a fifth set of tennis. With the 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory, the third-seeded Djokovic won a semifinal meeting with Roger Federer, who beat him in straight sets in last year's final to win his fourth consecutive U.S. Open.

Then Djokovic compounded his unpopularity by taking a verbal swipe at Roddick, wounded by his sarcastic suggestion of gamesmanship.

"Andy was saying that I have 16 injuries in the last match so obviously I don't," Djokovic said, drawing jeers. "That's not nice to say in front of this crowd I have 16 injuries."

The controversy continued well after the Serb left the court. He and Roddick had private words about it, though both declined to reveal the content.

Speaking to reporters later, Roddick stressed two points: that his remarks about Djokovic's ailments had been in jest; and that Djokovic, who has gained widespread notoriety for his campy impersonations of Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal, ought to be able to take a joke.

"If you're going to dish it out, then be able to take it with a smile," Roddick said.

Djokovic followed Roddick into the interview room and immediately apologized for his on-court remarks, which he called "impulsive."

"This is the situation I don't want to be in -- fighting with people, the press," said Djokovic, 21. "This is absolutely not me."

Whether the mea culpa works won't be clear until Djokovic returns for Saturday's semifinal against Federer.