Why? Read on.

In case you didn’t notice, we are closing in on the end of the tennis season as the 2008 United States Open Tennis Championships, the last Grand Slam of the tennis calendar year, is about to conclude in style with some interesting quarterfinal match-ups this Thursday.

And perhaps none is as intriguing as this face-off between Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic. And since we are not really huge tennis fans, branding a match not involving the hot and sexy Maria Sharapova ‘’intriguing'’ should be exactly that. Thanks to Roddick, we’re probably watch this one just to see if Djokovic will make Roddick eat his words.

Oh yeah, Andy Roddick sure was talking, A LOT. It has been well documented that Djokovic has his fair share of injuries and with Roddick facing the Serbian for the right to advance to the semifinals, it was not surprising that the American actually addressed his opponent’s injuries, with a hint of sarcasm.

Andy Roddick was talking to the media when a reporter blurted out something about Novak Djokovic, explaining that the Serbian had complained of an injured right ankle. Roddick cut him off, (it is HIS press conference after all…) leading to this somewhat funny exchange between the two.

Roddick: Isn’t it both of them? And a back and a hip?

Reporter: And when he said there are too many to count…

Roddick: And a cramp.

Reporter: Do you get a sense right now that he is…

Roddick: Bird flu.

Reporter: A lot of things. Beijing hangover.

Roddick: Yeah.

Reporter: He’s got a pretty long list of illness.

Roddick: Anthrax. SARS. Common cough and cold.

He he… Interesting huh? And although Roddick may have a point, he didn’t let this opportunity to further talk down his opponent pass.

‘’If it’s there, it’s there,'’ Roddick said. ‘’There’s just a lot. You know, he’s either quick to call the trainer or he’s the most courageous guy of all time. I think it’s up for you guys to decide.'’

Can Novak Djokovic win the 2008 U.S. Open Championships? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Roger Federer 3.00

Rafael Nadal 2.25

Novak Djokovic 4.50

Andy Roddick 34.00

Visit Bodog sportsbook for more tennis betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

Novak Djokovic Andy Roddick