Andy Roddick made it clear on the latest episode of his podcast that he thinks calling Novak Djokovic’s Miami Masters campaign “disappointing” is nonsense and stated that the world No. 5 definitely still has the game to challenge for a Grand Slam.
After the 37-year-old reached the Miami final without a set dropped, the hype surrounding the Serb started to build up. But then, the former world No. 1 suffered a 6-7 (4) 6-7 (4) loss to Jakub Mensik in the final and some instantly started labeling it as “another disappointing” result by the Serb.
Reflecting on his Miami campaign, Roddick said Djokovic was “doing crazy things” and said he’d bet on the Serb if he and Mensik played again the Miami final. Also, he underlined the fact that the world No. 5 won the Paris Olympics just half a year ago.
Roddick: Djokovic’s product is still good enough to win Grand Slams
“Is the product he is putting out there good enough to win a major? Yes, it is. Will it happen? I don’t know. You talked about Roland Garros, three out of five [sets]. This guy did win the Olympics there a few months ago,” the American tennis legend said on the Served with Andy Roddick.
The 2003 US Open champion also remarked that Djokovic seems “happy and motivated” on the court – he suspects Andy Murray’s presence has something to do with that.
“So long as he is in tennis, it’s better to watch. Even a version of him, and I say this gently, where he is ‘only’ the third favorite in every Slam now. He’s going to be 38, but are you going to put him outside of the top three to win Wimbledon? No, he’s your third favorite. Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic,” Roddick added.
Djokovic’s next chance at becoming the first player in tennis history with 25 Grand Slams will come at the French Open. If you remember well, the Serb made the French Open quarterfinal last year before withdrawing and having surgery on his knee.
