During the U.S. Open, the mild-mannered Federer was seen in contrast to the gregarious Djokovic, he of the perfect impersonations of Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal right there in Arthur Ashe Stadium after a quarterfinal match.

After Sunday’s victory, Federer said, “It’s good to have a character like him out there,” but he also noted that, “some guys weren’t happy” about the late-night lounge act. You almost got the feeling Federer’s thinking might be: “How about winning a Slam or two before you start goofing around?”

Federer, meanwhile, does seem to be generating more buzz Stateside than in the past.

He drew notice for his Man in Black outfits at the Open. He chatted Monday with Matt and Meredith on “Today,” then spent time with “Regis and Kelly.” He was greeted with applause when he walked into the Oscar de la Renta show at New York Fashion Week and sat next to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, a friend.

Federer’s bid to catch Sampras resumes in January at the Australian Open, a tournament the Swiss star has won three of the past four years. Win again, and Federer will have 13 Slams come March 10, when he and Sampras meet in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden.

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They played for real only once, at Wimbledon in 2001, when Federer beat Sampras in five sets. At the time, Federer had yet to win a major; Sampras would go on to win one more.

“I knew he was extremely talented then — a lot of power, didn’t have holes in his game,” Sampras said. “He figured it out kind of how I figured it out in my early 20s. Then, the way he started winning majors pretty much with ease, I just accepted that he was going to break my record.”

Now 36, Sampras knows he can’t keep adding to his Slam count.

Sure would feel nice to put the kid in his place for one day in the Big Apple, though.

“I still serve well. Roger’s Roger. It’s going to hopefully be competitive tennis,” Sampras said. “We both wanted to do it because our names have been linked and will be linked for the next couple of years.”

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