"He is probably going to the semis" - Andy Roddick makes bold US Open prediction about Novak Djokovic amid recent concerns

Novak Djokovic has been in the spotlight recently following his surprising defeat in the second round of the Cincinnati Open against Thiago Agustin Tirante. Following some concerning admissions after the loss, many tennis fans have questioned whether the Serbian is now on a constant downward spiral as the end of his career comes into sight. This is not the perspective Andy Roddick has taken, confident that the 24-time Grand Slam champion will bounce back at the US Open.

The fourth and final major tournament of 2026, which takes place from August 30 - September 13, is the latest chance for Djokovic to finally clinch that elusive 25th Grand Slam title as he looks to set himself apart from the rest, currently tied with Margaret Court.

His most recent major success came at Flushing Meadows in 2023 when he got the better of Daniil Medvedev. He won three of the four major titles that year while losing in the final of Wimbledon to Carlos Alcaraz. Since then, 11 Grand Slam events have passed with just two finals and a large number of semi-final setbacks as he continues to combat the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

It seems that lately he has also been battling his own body and health. Djokovic competed at the Cincinnati Open for the first time since winning it in 2023. He was positive ahead of the event, delighted to say that his body reacted well after Wimbledon. However, the scorching Ohio heat in the middle of the day made his life slightly harder as he blew a one-set lead against Tirante enroute to being defeated in a brutal collapse.

It is the fifth time in his last eight Masters 1000 appearances that he has lost in the second round in a very concerning theme in these big tournaments.

Despite all the worry coming out from Cincinnati, one person who is keeping a level head is Roddick. The 2003 US Open winner has not doubted Djokovic for a second, in full belief that he will go on another deep run at Flushing Meadows.

On his podcast Served, he said: “Does this matter for anyone less than Novak in the entire universe what he does at a Masters 1000? No. Most likely I am going to look at his draw at the US Open and say he is probably going to the semis.”

Djokovic has proved that, at the age of 39, he can still compete with the best over a best-of-five set format. This year alone he has defeated Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open and Felix Auger-Aliassime at Wimbledon in matches that went the distance.

“Does it matter if he beats Tirante and one more person and loses third round? Not really,” Roddick continued. “I am happy that he’s in Cincinnati because – worst-case scenario – now he has two weeks where I know that he is going to be in heat and playing practice sets that are 10 and 20 in the world."

Roddick highlighted the fact that Djokovic does not need to complete the preparation other tennis players seek. “Does he need match conditions as much as everyone else in the world? No. Does he need to know how to navigate a five setter? No.

“I don’t care who you are because going from playing practice sets in Greece against some person who is 600 in the world and then showing up against a guy who is 25 in the world who can rip your head off, you have to be playing against the best in the world with some sort consistency."

In conclusion, the American was very confident about Djokovic's chances. “So he will be fine. Looking at the weather for New York, it’s going to be 75 degrees, that’s going to be different to Cincinnati. But I think he can probably get away with finding those reps and practice more than anyone else in the world.”