Is Novak Djokovic's clowning around a back-handed slap in the face?

The video can be found on eurosport. Well it's funny. But if Nadal or Sharapova complains or just are a bit annoyed then he should stop. It could get bigger and put Nadal or Sharapova in a position where thay don't feel like doing there natural warm-up. Nadal and Sharapova are too strong to let that get to them, but it could be a different for other players. If the players are fine with it then it's ok. But he should be a bit careful or else he might make a few rivals on court.

In one word: TACKY. Young Novak Djokovic showed the other night there that he will do anything to milk the limelight and that he has very very little class. Is this someone who really wants to be a respected sportsman? If he wants to be considered as great as Federer and Nadal, he needs to learn not to be so tacky... and also to stop all his cheating gamesmanship on court too, those tactical ploys for breaking his opponents concentration and rhythm with his ball-bouncing and his carefully orchestrated medical time outs - which were the first ever signs we the public had of his acting 'talents'.

They asked him to do it . Lighten up . And he is not orchestrating anything ; it's obvious to anyone that he is lacking some stamina .

Oh please, all you conservative idiots who think its tacky and tasteless, don't ruin the moment. Djokovic is what the sport needs. There has been a lot of talk about how lack of entertainment in professional tennis is lately. The young man demonstrates that you can play a good game of tennis and also interact with the crowd and have fun. He is simply giving us something to laugh about and enjoy. If Nadal or Sharapova have a problem with it then maybe they should just imitate his multiple ball bouncings or loosen up. I applaud Djokovic and I hope he makes it to World #1 very soon. He is an excellent character and role model, and gives tennis a cheerful attitude once again.

mardi please! you know damn well like anthony said that it's just for fun. He repeatedly said that it's not meant to make fun of them, and they both (sharapova and rafa) said it doesnt bother them. Roger is good, but come on, show some damn personality. When was the last time he got on his knees after a win? When was the last time he danced on the court? Tennis needs this.

about the ball bouncing. he has the right to bounce the ball as many times as he wants as long as it's under 20 secs. He's ALWAYS under 20 secs. If he's not respected (and you implied) then why is he one of the most popular guys on the tour?

Djokovic, it's not nice what y dan.

I'm sure they know he doesn't mean anything by it and don't mind it just as Novak wouldn't mind if someone did an impresonation of him.

tasteless is tasteless, regardless if it's fun, or not. Many racist jokes are fun as hell, but they are tasteless. Djokovic impersoations are catching up with him. He already has retorted to a question saying that people is talking more about this clowning than his tennis. The guy is learning, you like it or not. He has shown that his game is more rounded than that of Nadal and only has his lack of stamina as the big obstacle toward higher goals. He was spent against Ferrer, walking, struggling for air and almost livid in the third set after every rally, however he was able to hit the ball to the right spot. That right there shows his enormous talent. It is good that he is getting tired of the childish impersonations, if some fairy day fans think tennis needs this circus, go better to Ringley Bros. to watch real clowns. Tennis is like any major sport a matter of winners, losers and overall talent. No real tennis fan would like the sidenotes crap from american sports makings its way on the courts. No o

People, people. This is a sport and its made to entertain. I think its great to have a fresh face to the game. Instead of those stuck-up, pointy nosed, players that we have now. The sport has been changing as of lately , as you can see there are rowdier crowds now that the sport has become more international and the players have to adapt to that. This is just what tennis needs, and no matter what Djokovic will be the most popular player on tour, because of his great and open personality which none of the other players seem to exhibit. All of it is refreshing.

Djokovic is simply doing what we all see and usually are annoyed by - screaming Sharapova after stealing all the time to prepare, like Nadal as well. Nadal himself goes over 30 sec often. Players see it, refs are seeing it, we are annoyed as well, nobody talks about it so we are happy to vent it all in good humor seeing Novak's near perfect impersonations. For you critics I can only think as hypocrites with no sense of humor.

I'm sorry for coming back again but I must add another point: is pulling nickers out of the butt OK? Why did not even parents ask Nadal what the hell he is doing? Would anyone of you do it on the street, let alone in front of millions of viewers - speaking of tasteless? Another one - screaming like crazy makes it impossible to watch, I don't get how Sharapova's opponents can stand it. Not to mention her altogether unsporty and arrogant behaviour, as well as a general lack of respect towards others.

No, I don't believe that Djokovic did anything wrong. Please don't try to take our sense of humor away.

OK, I suggest that the next time we go see a tennis or a football match or whatever, the audience should just see a plain rivalry and nothing else. Smiling should be prohibited! How old are you 97? Please, the guy is 20 years old, he obviously likes to make people laugh, even if that includes making fun of other people. Others made fun of him too, I didn't see him through a fit like some of you did. I wonder what is NOT tasteless for you?

Djokovic has great comedic talent. TV"s tennis commentators never discuss the William Sisters' weight and constantly over-praise them.

David, how do commentators over-praise the Williams sisters. Everyone knows that commentators and other people always degrade and try to disgrace them. Also, you think it's a bad thing that they don't discuss the Williams sisters weight. That's a good thing, why should they discuss that. It has nothing to do with tennis and is a stupid topic to talk about.

He's a great guy. A bit of banter is what tennis needs to be honest. Otherwise it can get incredibly dull

He's actually good friends with Maria as witness by her presence in his box tonight.

Djokovic is like Valentino Rossi in Moto gp,and it is good for tennis,like was good for moto Gp

I think he is a great guy!.Young, smart,good player, funny.He has everything!I'm proud to be Serbian! THANK YOU, NOLE...You make us proud..

His presence brings personality and a breath of fresh air to the tennis scene. I'm an avid tennis fan but must admit that I had begun to get a little bored by the lack of personality shown by the top players. When I was a kid watching McEnroe I always thought he went a bit too far acting like a spoiled ass. It was total gamesmanship. At the same time, it did bring personality to the sport and gave people things to talk about. Regarding Djoko's bouncing, as long as those bounces all happen in under 20 seconds, he bounce that ball as many times as he pleases. Personally I think it's a brilliant strategy to keep the returner's timing and balance off. Returning a serve like that, you'd certainly have to pay attention. I fell in love with Djokovic as a player watching him play the US Open Tour this year. It was brilliant watching him give Fed the sweats. I respect Federer's talent but don't consider myself much of a fan. He's like the tennis version of the perfect vanilla ice cream. Great vanilla but s

Whatever Jokervic did is fine - considering that this is US OPEN .. where it is just fine for folks to walk in/out of seats not just between games but when players are in the middle of a rally - where half brained nitwits give their expert ( and Loud) opinions on everything under the sun and for whom ignrance is a virtue to be blatantly displayed - where 'Customer Experience' is paramount , who cares about a silly thing called tennis : Bring on the thumping music , Beer/Hot Dog Vendors - How bout some panty baring Cheer Leaders? How come they missed that? They should invite the Big Apple Circus to pitch their tent at Arthur Ashe the next time around schedule the some Tennis for authentic fans in the side courts. I can gladly live with that. What I would would really prefer is to transport the grand slam to another place where the sport is treated as such. Hey, whatever they have in its place - they can always call on Djokovic to be their Star Monkey ... Hey USTA .. "Fans" will love that.

I have seen all those impersonations on youtbe and I have laughed a lot. But the quarter final of a grand slam is not the place for clowning. First to blame is the CBS commentator who asked it and then Djokovic, who will do anything for some more attention. I know he is good friends with both Sharapova and Nadal, but everything has a limit. Roddick once pulled's one of Bryan brothers' pants down . Should he do it on the center court? It does not take anything away from champions like Sharapova or Nadal, but certainly reduced Djokovic to a Joker and a clown.

People, come on Djokovic is only 20 and he is acting the way he should.I don't think he ia a Joker or clown he has talent to immitate people and he is very good in that.Well,you can allways say something negative about him but nobody is perferct.To me he is perfect and I'm prod to be from the same country that he is coming from.I wish best of the him and his family.God bless them.GO FOR IT< DJOKOVIC!!!

Djokovic is not the only 20 year old on tour. Becker won a GS when 16-17. Nadal won FO while 18. Federer was playing since a teen ager. Del Potro is 18. Gulbis is 19. Which one clowns around like Djokovic does? Djokovic used to use medical time outs to his benefit to the extent that Fed said in 2006 "He is a Joke when it comes to medical time outs". In 2006 FO match with Nadal, he was down a set and a break when retired for back problems and then said " I was in control of the match!". He will do anything for attention. Well, it is his character. Fine. keep it to the locker room!