Andy Roddick was left somewhat startled by an admission made by Novak Djokovic after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz earlier this week.
That being said, it was a rather damaging defeat for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who saw another chance at claiming a record-breaking 25th major dashed by one of the world’s top two players.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have monopolised the elite events for two years now, and tonight will see them clash for the US Open title, in a third straight Grand Slam final.
For the rest of the field, it must be so frustrating to see a 22 and 24-year-old dominate in the way that they have. Particularly Novak Djokovic, who has been so close to greatness for years now.
However, despite all of this, Roddick still did not expect the Serbian to make the claim he did after losing Friday’s semi-final.
Andy Roddick shocked by what Novak Djokovic admitted after his US Open semi-final
Speaking on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the former world number one claimed: “Novak was basically like, you know, it’s very clear that this is gonna be really hard for me to beat these guys in a longer format. And he’s like, they’re better. Right?
“And that can’t be easy for someone to say who’s as good as he is. When he came into tennis, Roger and Rafa were better than everyone, and credit to him, he was the only guy that wasn’t going to say it. And look at where it, like, I knew that they were. I knew they were. I was trying to beat them, but I’m like, I want to get one in. I kind of want to try to win one. And he’s never said that about anyone.
“You know, I thought it was like the most sober, mature, you know, after-match press conference that I’ve seen. He’s just like, they’re better. Maybe I don’t know, maybe you keep going and I can sneak one, but, you know, on the day, day after day, week, week out, they’re better than I am.”
Roddick did sympathise with Djokovic, continuing: “And, listen, time is undefeated. Novak has given it hell. Like, it’s hard to kind of play part-time tennis, show up, and he makes the semis of the US Open when he kind of hasn’t played.
“He played one tournament in May, one tournament in July, one tournament in September, three Grand Slam semi-finals. I was number one in the world. I never made three Grand Slam finals in a year. It’s crazy. He did it in the last three months. It’s absurd what he’s done.”
Roddick then revealed how Alcaraz is feeling ahead of the US Open final, providing crucial insight before the last major final of the year.
Why Novak Djokovic should not retire
Immediately after his loss in the US Open semi-final, John McEnroe predicted when Djokovic might retire.
Rennae Stubbs even predicted the exact tournament where Djokovic might retire.
It was instant, and perhaps unfair.
After all, what he has achieved within the sport, and continues to do at his age, is remarkable.
It’s clear that he is only still present on the tour in a last-gasp attempt to try and snatch a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, and with Alcaraz and Sinner present, that looks unlikely.
But, given how far ahead of the rest of the field he is, it’s worth him sticking around, at least until his body starts to give way, to see if they can maintain their current run at majors.
Eventually, one or both of them has to suffer an injury or a shock early exit.
That will be when Djokovic can strike, thus vindicating his decision not to retire.
