Novak Djokovic gets unusual proposal at U.S. Open [Video]

August 29, 2012|By Chuck Schilken

<p>Novak Djokovic received an offer he couldn't refuse Sunday during a practice session for the U.S. Open:</p><p>"Will you marry me?"</p><p>Well, Djokovic actually did not accept the proposal, seeing that it was shouted in jest from the stands by a boy probably around age 12. But even though he was in the middle of preparing to defend his Open title, the world's No. 2-ranked player couldn't resist having some fun with the lad.</p></div></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-ctr-lt-in-top" class="mod-latarticlesadcpc mod-adcpc with-fourth-cpc"><script type="text/javascript"> var adSkipCounter = 0; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "offer ucla basketball basketball players";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,1655504130,8321278795,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text"; google_image_size="300x250"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="2"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "medium_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=33481074&cat=law+%26+government&pe_id=33481074&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=1655504130&rnccn=g1-Law+%26+Government&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=ctr-lt-in-top", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para" class="mod-latarticlesarticletextwithadcpc mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext"><p>Djokovic handed the boy his racket and let him take several serves, even offering him some tips along the way and giving him a hug when it was all over.</p><p>The crowd was thoroughly amused throughout the incident, roaring with laughter at the initial proposal and cheering the boy on with each serve. One woman even offered, "<em>I'll</em> marry you," as he returned to the stands.</p><p>Perhaps bolstered by the surprise proposal, Djokovic went on to cruise through his opening-round match against Paolo Lorenzi, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1, on Tuesday.</p><p><strong>ALSO:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-0829-simers-dodgers-20120829,0,3055907.column">These are becoming dog days for Dodgers</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-nhl-labor-20120828,0,4424383.story">Players pondering response to NHL's latest proposal</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/basketball/la-sp-0829-ucla-basketball-china-20120829,0,2647567.story">UCLA basketball players take home something valuable from China</a></p></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para-ad-cpc" class="mod-adcpc"> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "offer ucla basketball basketball players";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; 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