Andy Roddick believes Novak Djokovic's age and injury make recovery a difficult journey
ATPFriday, 07 June 2024 at 16:29
Former world number one Andy Roddick believes that it will not be easy to see Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic will not be able to return to the
court after a recent injury in the near future.
The 37-year-old is regarded as the greatest player in the history
of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic is having a difficult campaign. He has yet to play in the final of any event. His streak extended even further after he was forced to withdraw from the ongoing French Open just before the start of the quarterfinal against Norway’s Casper Ruud because of a Knee injury.
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It was later announced that the Belgrade-born star had undergone surgery, which is likely to ruled him out of the upcoming Wimbledon and Paris
Olympics as well.
Roddick, who won one Grand Slam in his career, was quoted in
a report by Tennis 365 where he suggesting that it will be hard for the legendary
tennis star to return to full fitness easily because of his age and the nature
of the injury.
“He has had surgery and a lot will depend on how bad the
tear is,” he said. “When I was 17, I tore my meniscus, obviously that is a
younger body and played on it for like four or five months.
“Did it again a few months back and I just rested up, but
the difference is I don’t have to play Wimbledon in a month.
“This surgery, at least based on every kind I’ve seen and
including my own, puts the Olympics out and puts Wimbledon seriously at risk.
Novak Djokovic withdraw from the French Open because of a knee injury just before the start of the quarterfinal.
“It’s not just a case of saying my knee is okay in a month
because you have to train and especially Novak.
“Your special sauce is being able to grind people down, stay
in rallies, move people from side to side and ask the question over and over
again.
“Novak needs his wheels. He needs his defensive skills. He
is probably the best defensive player in the history of tennis and with
defence, you rely on your legs.”
Before getting injured, Djokovic was involved in two
five-setters. The reigning world number one first defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti
in the third round at the Roland Garros with a score of 7-5, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.
That game ended at three in the morning, the latest any game finished
in the history of a Grand Slam.
After that, Djokovic defeated Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth
round with a score of 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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