Andy Roddick defended Novak Djokovic against critics who find fault with his lack of trophies in the early months of the season. Roddick, a former world number one, believes Djokovic faces unfair scrutiny due to the high expectations placed on him as one of the greatest players in tennis history.
Despite Djokovic’s trophy-less start to the year in 2024, Roddick insists that it is premature to declare the end of his winning era. He points out that title droughts can happen to even the best players and that Djokovic’s achievements, such as reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and Monte Carlo, are still commendable results.
In a podcast discussion, Roddick emphasized that no other player on the ATP Tour would face criticism for a similar performance to Djokovic’s. He praised Djokovic for his semi-final showings in key events, acknowledging that it is unrealistic to expect peak performances when a player has not had many matches.
Roddick highlighted Djokovic’s physical issues in Monte Carlo but reiterated that the 24-time major winner cannot win every tournament he enters, especially without a significant match load. Despite some concerns, Roddick maintains his belief in Djokovic’s greatness and the unreasonable pressure put on him by critics.
