Former world number one
Andy Roddick has stated that he is
not overly concerned about the performance of Serbia’s
Novak Djokovic despite
recent defeat at the
Monte-Carlo Masters. The 37-year-old, who is regarded as
the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in
the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles, is going through a
lean patch according to his own high standards.
Most recently, Djokovic was featured in the ongoing ATP 1000
event Monte-Carlo Masters, where he was knocked out after losing to Chile’s Alejandro
Tabilo in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
Former world number one Roddick has been recently quoted in
a report by The Tennis Gazette where he stated that he is not concerned about
Djokovic’s performances He stated that even though the Belgrade-born star
suffered an unexpected defeat in the tournament’s early phase, he will be in
the running for bigger prize when it comes to Grand Slams.
“I don’t think the base level for Novak for a successful
year is two majors any more,” he said. “I think the question is can I build up
my season? Can I peak for the majors? Can I be as good once as I ever was? I
think that matters more.” I don’t know if we would have seen Novak here in this
tournament or for the last couple of years, frankly, if he didn’t live up the
street. I think this is almost paid practice for him. He is going to reset. The
next Monday comes and he is still going to be in Monte Carlo training for the
clay court season. I don’t put a ton of stock in this, maybe there is a bit of
a match up issue but if Novak gets a good run of three or four weeks at the
French Open, even having lost to Tabilo twice, I know who I would be taking
three out of five sets.”