Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick recently weighed in on the seemingly perpetual career of Novak Djokovic, offering a perspective that blends admiration with a pragmatic view of the tennis landscape. Roddick`s central theme? Djokovic, at the seasoned age of 38, isn`t just participating; he`s competing at an elite level, and according to Roddick, that`s a significant positive for the entire sport.
Roddick wasn`t just offering platitudes. He pointed to tangible results that defy conventional age-related decline in tennis. Consider Djokovic`s run to the final at the Miami Masters earlier this year. Recall last year`s Wimbledon final run, achieved, as Roddick dryly noted, “on one leg.” And perhaps most telling, the fact that Djokovic *beat* Carlos Alcaraz, the undisputed young titan, just this year. “That`s just crazy,” Roddick remarked on his podcast, capturing the sheer improbability of these feats for a player approaching his fourth decade.
Beyond the individual achievements, Roddick sees a broader value in Djokovic`s continued presence. His mere participation, even in defeat, provides a benchmark and maintains a level of intrigue. For fans, it`s an opportunity to witness one of the game`s legends still challenging the current guard. For younger players, it`s a constant test against a master strategist. “If he plays next year,” Roddick asserted, “it benefits all of us in the tennis world. All of us.”
The notion of a player nearing 40 often sparks whispers of retirement, especially after a loss. Roddick, however, seems to find this line of thinking premature, if not slightly absurd, when applied to Djokovic. “If he loses in the fourth round or quarterfinals at a Slam, and someone says he should retire… Stop.” Roddick`s take is clear: the sheer performance level at 38 is the story. To critique it, you`d seemingly need a highly specialized, perhaps even jaded, professional lens. “You have to be a *real* professional in your job to criticize anything Novak is doing,” he quipped, underscoring the remarkable nature of Djokovic`s sustained excellence. His achievements at 38 are, simply put, “unbelievable… phenomenal.”
Roddick`s analysis paints a picture of a player operating in rarefied air. While the question of how long Djokovic *believes* he can win Majors against the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner remains an open one – “we`ll never get a soundbite answer,” Roddick noted – the hope is that he continues as long as his drive allows. His presence, for Roddick and seemingly many others in the sport, is a gift that keeps on giving.
