Novak Djokovic news: Serbian Open was just what he needed – Andy Roddick

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic might not have won the Serbian Open, but according to Andy Roddick, the world number one would have gotten what he wanted from the tournament.

After losing early on in Monte Carlo earlier this month, the Serb arrived in Belgrade looking for some form in the clay-court season.

He didn’t have it all his own way and lost the first set in each of his first three matches, but recovered to beat Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic and Karen Khachanov, respectively.

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In the final against Andrey Rublev, the 20-time Grand Slam winner once again found himself a set down, and although he was able to level matters in the second stanza, he was bagled in the third set and lost 6-2 6-7 (4) 6-0.

According to Roddick, though, this was just what the doctor ordered for Djokovic.


“Was just the kind of week Novak needed,” Roddick tweeted.

“Had some seriously physical matches and had the reps for the mental stress points.

“He has some time to recover/practice before Rome.

“Obviously we all want to win all the time, but I think he got everything he wanted/needed out of the week.”

Djokovic, meanwhile, clearly ran out of energy in the final set and revealed he was dealing with an illness, although was quick to point out it was not COVID.


“It’s not COVID, it’s something else, but I wouldn’t want to go into details,” Djokovic said after the match.

“I don’t think it’s necessary. It’s just something that affects my body and my metabolism for a few weeks. we didn’t have much time to get ready for Monaco.”

Djokovic suffered a similar fate in his Monte Carlo opener, where he lost the third set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina by a 6-1 score.

“I feel better, I play in three sets from match to match. I can extract positive things,” he added.

“It’s a little worrying that I have this feeling on the field because I haven’t had it for many years.

“I train, I do things that I have always done and I am considered someone who is in the best shape on the tour.

“It’s not a body thing, it’s just something that affects me, but from week to week it will get better and better.”

Next up for Djokovic is the Madrid Masters next week.

Andy Roddick Novak Djokovic

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