Andy Roddick reveals he is ‘concerned’ about Novak Djokovic for two reasons
Andy Roddick has divulged that he is “a little concerned” about Novak Djokovic for two reasons after the tennis legend’s defeat to Jannik Sinner at the 2024 Australian Open.
The former world No 1 asserted that Djokovic is “not getting younger” and feels the 36-year-old Serbian has young rivals “that can punch him in the mouth.”
Djokovic was defeated decisively in four sets by world No 4 Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open last week – his first loss at the event since 2018. The 36-year-old has won a men’s record 10 Australian Open titles, having claimed his maiden major in Melbourne in 2008.
Following his last four defeat to Sinner, the world No 1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion was highly critical of his own performance.
“Look, I was, in a way, shocked with my level, you know, in a bad way. There was not much I was doing right in the first two sets (smiling). Yeah, I guess this is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I’ve ever played. At least that I remember,” Djokovic said in his press conference.
On his new Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Roddick analysed Djokovic’s campaign in Australia and looked ahead to his potential upcoming tournaments.
READ MORE: ‘Novak Djokovic is not a machine, we cannot always expect him to win every Grand Slam’
“He kind of limped out of this tournament a little bit, you know, through no fault of his own, the guy’s been better than anyone on Earth, and it’s gonna happen,” the American said.
“But I’m a little concerned that: one, he’s not getting younger. When it turns, it turns quickly. Also, he has guys that can punch him in the mouth, you know, he has this new generation that once they know they can beat him, they’re not going to revert to the – the mentality that there’s no way to beat him.
“Well, I think it’s going to be about the mental gymnastics and how those play out. Like, I for 10 years haven’t been concerned about Novak playing Indian Wells or Miami or whichever hard-court event he’s gonna play next.
“Like, it’s just not as important as the Slams and he’s been able to show up to the Slams and play well and get results. I’m very interested to see how he comes out of the gates in an Indian Wells or a Miami and kind of the pressure and the defeat on a massive level.”
Djokovic is yet to confirm his next tournament, but it is likely to be the Indian Wells Masters in March given he has not entered the Dubai Tennis Championships – an event he often plays.
2003 US Open champion Roddick also spoke about Djokovic’s ability to find ways to motivate himself when struggling in matches – something he felt was missing in the Serb’s defeat to Sinner.
“He’s normally good at finding someone to fight with, you know, and using that as a tool to kind of get him going. Frankly, we’ve all been there,” Roddick added.
“Novak way less than the rest of us, which is why he is who he is. The rest of us, you know, are in our garages doing podcasts. His ability to kind of find a way to motivate himself is also a superpower, right?”
READ MORE: Jannik Sinner backed to be ‘the next dominant force after Novak Djokovic’ by former major finalist
