Sep 5, 2008, 17:16 GMT
New York - US Open semi-finalist novak Djokovis sheepishly rolled back his harsh criticism of Andy Roddick, saying he now realises the American was only joking about an injury plague prior to their Thusday match.
'Maybe I exaggerated and reacted bad in that moment. I apologise if I reacted like that,' Djokovic said after lashing out at the American after eliminating him from the quarter-finals. 'This was just impulsive.'
Djokovic said at the time he did not appreciate Roddick's crash that the Serb was nursing 'about 16 injuries,' a reference to frequent medical timeouts and treatments he took during earlier matches.
'He made a joke and it was a misunderstanding,' said the third seed who a year ago was drawing laughs form the crowd for his - now discontinued - impressions of fellow players.
Djokovic had complained of stomach, hip, ankle and breathing problems during a five-set victory in the previous round over Spain's Tommy Robredo, who had also found the constant treatment annoying.
Djokovic had told the stadium crowd after his win over Roddick: 'It's not nice anyhow to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and I am faking it.'
Roddick had made a crack that future Djokovic worries could also include anthrax, bird flu and the SARS virus.
The American said he was only kidding: 'It was completely meant in jest. 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.'
Roddick said that perhaps his off-the-cuff laugh-maker had actually fired Djokovic up for their quarter-final. 'Maybe I did him a favour.'
Djokovic, never a solid physical specimen, said that he had 'a rough day' prior to taking to the court against Roddick.
'Physically I was feeling very exhausted and very empty. I wasn't able to practise. Maybe people think that I'm exaggerating with these things.
'It doesn't mean that if I'm inviting a doctor to the court or a physiotherapist that I'm dying.'
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