Novak Djokovic dances "Gangnam Style' with fan on court after win (VIDEO)

Something was in the air at Arthur Ashe Stadium Wednesday night, and happily for Novak Djokovic, it wasn't the smell of marijuana. 

Moments after Djokovic's U.S. Open straight sets win over Andreas Haider-Maurer, the world's No. 1 men's tennis player broke into an impromptu dance with one of his better known fans in the middle of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

And his 'Gangnam Style' moves didn't disappoint:

Go on and celebrate, Djokovic. http://t.co/Q8NrwlX3rh pic.twitter.com/eduVRu2FHJ

— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 3, 2015

"I'm glad that he came down to the court. It was not planned," Djokovic said later at his press conference, adding that he's seen the fan at his matches for at least five years. "He's a true entertainer... Each year I see him in one of my matches, dancing, taking down the layers of the t-shirts. But, you know, it never gets old."

Djokovic ended the dancing fan's 15 seconds of fame after he shoved an "I love New York" t-shirt over Djokovic's head, then ripped off his own to reveal a matching one underneath. 

And here's Djokovic putting on the shirt with the Open's dance man. pic.twitter.com/vGKxFwhkAr

— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) September 3, 2015

I guess you could say it was love in the air. 

Henrik Stenson takes a jab at Tiger Woods after first round

Henrik Stenson fired a first round 65 and currently holds a share of the lead at 5-under along with Dustin Johnson at the U.S. Open.

He also fired off a little sass.

Stenson, when asked about Chambers Bay's craggy landscape and long fairways, noted that it's a difficult trek over the 18 holes.

"It's a challenging walk. There will be some tired glutes by the end of the week," he quipped — obviously referencing Tiger Woods’ famous line after withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines when he said he just couldn't get his glutes to activate.

Henrik Stenson with the most trolling quote of the year: "It's a challenging walk. There will be some tired glutes by the end of the week."

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) June 18, 2015

Unfortunately Fortunately for Tiger, he might not make it past the cut and can give those backside muscles a break.

It's funny how the once powerful Woods is becoming a source of amusement on the PGA Tour.

Nadal pulls out of U.S. Open due to wrist injury: Report

Rafael Nadal has announced he will not defend his U.S. Open crown due to his ongoing recovery from a wrist injury.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Monday morning, Nadal said he won't compete at the Grand Slam event, which begins next Monday in New York. 

Siento anunciar que no podré participar en el US Open, torneo en el que en los últimos años he tenido muy buenos... http://t.co/ryV4CzWCBh
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 18, 2014

I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play at this year’s US Open a tournament on which I’ve played 3 consecutive finals in my last participations. I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things… Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back.

Although the announcement wasn’t a huge surprise, there had been speculation in recent days that Nadal might be able to mount a title defense. He posted training photos to his Facebook page that showed him practicing with a splint on his injured wrist.

Nadal will miss his third Slam in the past two years leaving the men’s field with just four former champions: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt playing in New York.

It’s only the fourth time in the Open era a defending champion won’t play in New York.

NBC analyst's driver charged with DWI for hitting trooper with golf cart at U.S. Open: Report

That loud commotion by the 11th tee right after U.S. Open leader Martin Kaymer teed off Saturday had nothing to do with the board leader's lie. It had to do with an angry North Carolina Highway Patrolman and the arrest of NBC golf analyst Roger Maltbie’s cart driver.

The man behind the wheel of Maltbie's roving golf cart at the U.S. Open was arrested after driving it into a state trooper, said a North Carolina Highway Patrol spokesperson.

Cart driver Tommy Lineberry was taken from Pinehurst Golf Course to the Moore County jail and charged with driving while impaired and resisting an officer, according to authorities.

Maltbie was walking with the final group of Martin Kaymer and Brendon Todd when the incident is said to have occurred. Lineberry's job is to drive Maltbie to get in position for the next shots.

The officer was not hurt but really upset because, according to him, the driver ran over his foot when leaving the tee area. An Associated Press reporter who witnessed the incident heard Lineberry tell the trooper, "I'm supposed to get the cart to Roger" and took off.

The cop then chased after the cart on sandy surface just outside the gallery ropes while yelling, “Stop! Stop!” and “Come back here.”

"When a state trooper tells you to stop, THAT'S what you're supposed to do," the trooper responded, inches from Lineberry's face after he climbed into the back of the cart and put his arms around the driver's shoulders.

Maltbie came over to try to help his friend and colleague to no avail.

“This is a new one,” Maltbie said walking down the 11th fairway. “I’ve been to a couple of rodeos and a county fair and I’ve never had this happen.”

NBC Sports is aware of the incident but declined further comment.

Garcia claims he left apology note for Tiger in U.S. Open locker

The day after Sergio Garcia sought out Tiger Woods on the Merion driving range to speak about the racially-stereotyped “fried chicken’’ comment he made last month, the Spaniard left a hand-written note of apology in Woods’ locker.

“Yeah, I did leave him a note, a handwritten note,’’ said Garcia about the Dear Tiger letter on Tuesday. “Hopefully he can take a look at it and … read the note and he's happy with that.

“Obviously we saw each other (Monday) on the range (and) I was hoping to meet him after the round, but he was gone after the round,’’ Garcia went on. “The weather obviously didn't help (closing the course in the afternoon). This morning I was here early (and) I didn't see him around.

“The first time I saw him was on the range. I felt like it wasn't the appropriate place to, for me to (apologize) there out of respect to him and to the other players to do it there, so I was hoping to see him afterwards. Unfortunately, when I got done practicing he was gone already. He considers the matter closed. He's moved on and I'm happy that he feels that way, so hopefully we can do the same thing.’’

When Woods met with reporters, about three hours before Garcia did, he did not indicate that he had gotten any sort of apology from Garcia.

Asked Tuesday if Garcia’s comments were discussed on Monday during the handshake seen around the golf world, Woods said, “No, we didn't discuss anything. He just came up and said, ‘Hi,’ and that was it.

Asked if Garcia apologized, Woods said, “No,’’ adding, “It's already done. We've already gone through it all. It's time for the U.S. Open and we tee it up in two days.’’

Asked again if he’s gotten any personal apology from Garcia, Woods said, “No, we haven't had time for that.’’

Garcia handled himself with poise and humility on Tuesday, clearly still bothered by the incident, he was contrite.

“I'm obviously a little bit nervous, there's no doubt about that,’’ Garcia said. “But like (Woods) said … he considers it closed deal. That obviously means a lot to me.’’

Garcia, too, sounded relieved that the fans at Merion are putting the episode behind them, saying there has been no heckling.

“The people around these last couple of days have been amazing,’’ he said. “They have been very, very supportive. So that gives me a lot of good feelings.’’

Garcia also conceded that he’s been “very worried about the whole situation.’’ His major sponsor, TaylorMade/adidas, indicated in the aftermath of his comments that the company might reevaluate its relationship with the golfer.

Kevin James' 'between-the-legs' fail at U.S. Open

Comedians Kevin James and Adam Sandler played a celebrity match with former tennis greats Jim Courier and John McEnroe Thursday at the U.S. Open.

Even if you didn't like the "Grown Ups" co-stars' movie, you had to get a good laugh out of James' attempt at a between-the-legs shot especially after the racket smashed into his Chuck and Larry.

The all-in-fun doubles match was won by the Sandler/ McEnroe team over James/Courier.

Colin Quinn served as the match's umpire and probably considered James' play a double-fault.

Sandler and James are best buddies who have started NASCAR races, appeared in golf tournaments and performed in numerous skits together.  Never knew they could swing the rackets that well either.

James returned to Flushing just across Roosevelt Avenue from his beloved New York Mets home turf— Citi Field.  The "King of Queens" star just might have left his royal jewels over at Arthur Ashe Stadium as a tribute.

Two-handled racket making noise at U.S. Open

Brian Battistone isn't a name that usually pops up when you're talking about players in the U.S. Open but yesterday, the tennis player garnered a lot of attention.  The one-time 88th-ranked men's doubles player had onlookers gazing at his equipment — his unusual double-handled tennis racket.

"It's one one of the craziest things I've ever seen in tennis," said former USTA official Randy Walker.

Battistone is the only tennis player on the pro tour using the strange racket — with its "V-shaped" handles — which was approved by the ITF in 2007.  Only four players are known to have used it in a professional event — with Battistone probably being the best known, make that only known.

"You get a lot of comments," Battistone told The New York Post.  "It looks more like a hedge clipper, divining rod or snow shovel than a tennis racket."  Good to have if he has to lead himself to the water fountains during one of those sweltering days out in Flushing.

This is Battistone's comeback to the pro circuit after taking a hiatus in 2010 to become a tennis instructor.  He qualified for this year's U.S. Open mixed doubles event by winning in New Haven last week.

Battistone uses two hands to control the racket and claims he gets more support and a stronger grip on his backhand.

The ITF were quick to approve the wacky racket five years ago even though it never really caught on among fellow pros.

"They were receptive," said Battistone.  "They said, 'If you can feel you can beat Roger Federer with a snow shovel, good luck,'"

Serena Williams not sure if she'll 'Crip Walk' at U.S. Open

Serena Williams was so happy at winning gold at the 2012 Olympic Games this month she broke into a dance.  At first, people paid little attention to the tennis star's well deserved two-step — after defeating  Maria Sharapova for her first singles gold medal — until they found it it was called the "Crip Walk" dance.

There was a huge uproar after it was discovered Williams' five-second victory shuffle was made famous by Crip gang members back in the 1970's and the little hip-hop dance was considered a salute to violent gang culture.

Williams says her spur of the moment celebration was just something that happened and had nothing to do with gangs.

"It was me.  I love to dance," Williams told reporters who asked her about the moves.  "I didn't know what else to do.  I was so happy, and the next thing I know I started dancing and moving.  I didn't plan it.  It just happened."

Now tennis fans are wondering.  Will she do the Crip Walk dance at the U.S. Open?  The 14-time grand slam winner isn't sure and claims she has nothing planned for next month's tournament in Flushing, N.Y..

"I have to win seven matches, so we'll see," she said at a Taste of Tennis charity event.

Williams says she is still enjoying her Olympics win.  Planning a funky little victory dance is probably the last thing on her mind right now.

It's hard to believe the dance created such a firestorm, but she must have done it pretty good to get a thumbs up (gang sign?) from Snoop Dog.

14-year old golfer poised to make US Open start

He may not be legally old enough to get behind the wheel of a car but 14-year old Andy Zhang will be driving golf balls down the fairways at the U.S. Open this weekend with some of the biggest golf stars in the world.

Zhang— who was born in China and brought over to the U.S. by his mother when he was 10— is poised to become the youngest golfer to play at the U.S. Open after the withdrawals of Brandt Snedeker and Paul Casey on Monday.

He narrowly missed a 33-foot eagle attempt on his last hole in regulation in US Open sectionals—losing to Florida State senior Brooks Koepka— and settled for alternate status.  No, Zhang will now be teeing them up with the best pros on the planet.

The young man adds another side-story to some of the others shaping up for this weekend's field at Olympic Club.

Besides Zhang's historic appearance, there is Tiger Woods coming off his big win at the  Memorial and the sudden demise of Rory McIlroy.

The previous youngest competitor in the post-war era was Tadd Fujikawa— who was 15 when he played in 2006 according to the US Golf Association.

Zhang— a native of Shangdong, China— started golfing when he was six-years old and brought to Florida by his mother after she quit her job to help young Zhang hone his special golfing skills.

It looks like the move paid off and — instead of trying to figure out girls or playing golf on a video screen like most other teenage boys— Zhang will be teeing up with Bubba Watson in a Tuesday practice round before making his 8:21 a.m. start alongside Hiroyuki Fujita and Mark Wilson on Thursday.

Djokovic Alerts Medics To Sick Fan During U.S. Open; Then Saves Match vs. Federer

In a strange moment during Saturday's U.S. Open match between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium started whistling like baby birds in a feeding frenzy.  The noise seemed to annoy No. 1 seed Djokovic until he noticed that there was a person who fainted in the upper-most section of the arena and spectators were whistling for help.

It was during the second set of the men's semi-final match when the Serbian, who was down 3-1 when the commotion began, alerted officials to the stricken fan slumped over in his seat.  No. 3 seed Federer, who won the first tiebreaker set 7-6 looked on.

Even for the boisterous tennis crowds in Flushing Meadows, the excessive whistling seemed loud.

After the eagle-eyed Djokovic knew that the fan was being attended to, he immediately turned his attention back to his game.

Djokovic was asked by the referee if he wanted to continue play.  Djokovic grabbed a ball and pressed on.  He went on to win the next serve.

The diversion seemed to motivate Djokovic, who up to that point seemed sluggish and outplayed.  He rallied slightly against his Swiss opponent, only to fall short in the second set, 6-4.

 Djokovic's momentum carried over to a 6-3 third set win and now it was Federer who started to look tired. 

Djokovic forced a decisive set five by winning 6-2, then continued to hit balls fast and long while Federer couldn't get a point on any of his serves.

In the fifth set, the expressionless Federer got the crowd on his side, looked fresher and started to spray balls beyond Djokovic's reach.

The momentum continued to volley back-and-forth between the two players.

In the end, it was the Serbian's turn to get the crowd on his side.  The cheers pushed Djokovic to an improbable comeback after he fell behind in, what seemed like, an insurmountable 5-3 hole.

The classic match was finally won in a tiebreaker by Djokovic, 7-5 in the fifth.

After the epic battle, Djokovic lauded the "noise" at Arthur Ashe Stadium and mustered up enough energy to dance with the 23,500 jubilant fans.

The nearly four-hour match's start was delayed by rain for about an hour.  Djokovic will meet either No. 2 Rafael Nadal or No. 4 Andy Murray in the finals on Monday.

First Rain, Then Sun Delayed Roddick-Ferrer Match at U.S. Open

The sun finally came out at the U.S. Open, but water once again reared its ugly head to make another court unplayable.  Instead of the water falling from the heavens, this water seemed to come from, well, you know where.

The problem?  A two-foot crack in the court forced the relocation of a match between Andy Roddick and David Ferrer, moving the contest to a much tinier venue on Thursday afternoon.

Already delayed two days by rain, American Andy Roddick's fourth-round match against No. 5 David Ferrer of Spain had to be stopped and relocated from Louis Armstrong Stadium to the much smaller confines of Court 13 because water was seeping through a small crack behind one baseline.

It was kind of funny to watch the players, a platoon of officials-- including chief referee Brian Earley-- and court technicians touch and ponder the situation.  They tried everything from towels to a wet-vac in an attempt to make the spongy area of the court disappear.

In a tournament that started with an earthquake during the qualifying rounds, Hurricane Irene interrupting the opening rounds and rain delays that caused 54 matches to be postponed on Tuesday, it's only fitting to see tennis' version of the Keystone Cops surrounding the small fissure.

It all came to a head on Wednesday, when Rafael Nadal was pulled from the court, after 15 minutes of play, because of slippery conditions during a rain mist.  The defending champion accused officials of putting TV revenue ahead of the player's safety.  "All you think about is money," he told Earley.

Nadal finished his delayed match today by beating Gilles Muller, 7-6 (1), 6-1, 6-2.  Nadal must win three matches in three days, pending the weather, if he is going to repeat.

It looks like Court 13 brought some luck to Roddick.  He won 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

"We play for 15 seconds and then water comes up.  It's like the juniors," said the No. 21 seed Roddick about the crack in the court.

While Roddick and Ferrer retired to the locker room for an hour, the officials and crew tried to correct the problem.   The two players returned to the court only to find out the water was still there and the two frustrated men walked off the court again.

Earley posed this question to Roddick as they walked through a stadium tunnel, "If you have to play on a rotten court, is that something we can do?"

"I don't care where we play," said the exasperated Roddick.

"We've had an inordinate amount of rain, and the rubber mat beneath the surface of the court is completely saturated," said USTA spokesperson Chris Widmaier.  "The sun is actual sucking that moisture out of the ground, and the water is actually coming through the surface."

The 584-seat Court 13 is quite a change for Roddick at the U.S. Open.  He has never played anywhere but the 23,000 seat Arthur Ashe Stadium in his career.  Maybe he should look at the sunny side of things like Nadal did today.

"That's not fair, but it is what it is," said Nadal.  "Here in the Grand Slams, if I am in the position of the U.S. Open, or Wimbleton, or Australia, Roland Garros, I will do the same.  Why Not?"

Rafael Nadal Blasts U.S. Open Officials For Playing In Rain

Rafael Nadal, the defending  U.S. Open champion and the No. 2 ranked player in the world, ripped U.S. Open officials, after spending 15 minutes on a soggy Arthur Ashe Stadium court Wednesday afternoon, for putting money ahead of player's safety.

Nadal, who was last seen cramping up at a press conference Sunday,  could have been accused of having a Midol moment, but was later joined by Andy Roddick and Andy Murray in voicing their umbrage at tournament referee Brian Earley for allowing matches to be played on a rain-slicked surface.

"It's the same old story.  All you think about is money," Nadal could be heard telling Earley while the tennis player exited the court and the referee checked the surface to see if it was still playable.

Nadal's fourth-round match was suspended after he fell behind 3-0 to Gilles Muller.

Nadal insisted the match, which was started in a misty rain, should not have even started.  A heavier rain followed and the court got slippery and the ball got heavier.

What does Earley think this is...a Yankees-Orioles game?  Why not start the matches at 11 p.m. while you're at it.

"We want to feel good when we are playing the tournament," said Nadal.  "For sure we  cannot accept these things.  I work all my life hard to be playing...We have to fight to have  the power to say we don't want to go on the court when it's raining.  I think it's not fair."

Yesterday, the tournament postponed 54 matches due to the heavy rain and officials were eager to resume play.  If the Open goes an extra day, it would be the fourth year in-a-row the tournament has finished on a Monday.

The USTA issued a statement Wednesday afternoon explaining its decision to play in the inclement weather.

"All parties, including the players and tournament, want to get the U.S. Open back on schedule.  As of 12 noon today, the best information available to us indicated the chance of a two-hour window without rain.  Unfortunately, not all light rain and mist shows up on radar.  We have experienced referees, and they decide if courts are fit to play.  Conditions may not be ideal, but can still be safe.  However, if a player or players feel that conditions are unsafe, we listen to them, as we always done, and the referee uses that information as part of his/her assessment on whether to continue or halt play."

Nadal seems to think player's safety takes a back seat to television revenue.

In an interview with ESPN 2, Nadal said, "We're not feeling protected (by) the tournament.  I understand they need to put tennis on TV.  I understand the business side of it.  First and foremost, I think the players need to feel comfortable and safe."

Serena Williams tweeted her support for Nadal via Twitter.  "Preach @RafaelNadal preach."

In the 1999 Open, Mary Joe Fernandez injured her knee against Venus Williams after slipping on a wet court.  Fernandez won the first set, 6-2, but lost the next two, 6-1, 6-0.

Nadal better get used to it.  The forecast calls for rain through Saturday.