/ 17 January 2008

Sharapova finds Djokovic’s antics ‘kinda boring’

Novak Djokovic may soon be copping a satirical look at his own leisurely serving style from Maria Sharapova. The Russian court diva is among a handful of tour players said to appreciate -- or at least not go ballistic -- when the fun-loving Serb delivers one of his exaggerated impersonations of their serving styles.

Tennis clown Novak Djokovic may soon be copping a satirical look at his own leisurely serving style from Maria Sharapova.

The Russian court diva is among a handful of tour players said to appreciate — or at least not go ballistic — when the fun-loving Serb delivers one of his exaggerated impersonations of their serving styles.

Djokovic (20) ranked third in the world, has been trying to give the act a rest but was goaded into doing his Maria by the on-court announcer after a first-round victory in Melbourne.

In portraying the Russian covergirl, he preens before serving and imitates her habit of sweeping her long, blond hair behind each ear.

Egged on by Jim Courier after one of her own early wins, Sharapova looked to be retaliating.

”We’d need a really long time, because all I’ll need is a tennis ball,” she said of the leisurely Djokovic serve. ”I’m just going to stand here and bounce the ball for a really long time before I serve. We’re going to be here all day long.”

Sharapova then called the Djokovic act ”kinda boring,” adding: ”He’s got his own little thing going on. So let him do it, I’m sure you guys are going to get bored of it. But it’s fun any time you can get some entertainers out there.”

Djokovic has done other impersonations including Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Roger Federer. – Sapa