“Ever since I won my 99th, which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special hundred titles,” Novak Djokovic said after his Miami Open SF victory over Grigor Dimitrov, reflecting on his pursuit of a special milestone. However, that dream was shattered by rising Czech prodigy Jakub Mensik, who edged out Djokovic in back-to-back tiebreakers. But while the 100th ATP title slipped away from Djokovic’s hands, the former US Open winner Andy Roddick isn’t counting him out just yet. The former tennis ace believes Nole can still win his 25th GS, as he offered him advice rooted in the play styles of legends Roger Federer and Andre Agassi. What was the essence of Roddick’s suggestions?
Novak Djokovic might have fallen short of his 100th career title after a stunning Miami Open final loss to Jakub Mensik, but the Serbian icon was very gracious in defeat. The 24-time GS champion congratulated his young opponent, who powered past Jack Draper, Arthur Fils, and Taylor Fritz before capping off his breakthrough run with victory over his childhood idol.
While the Olympic Gold medalist was visibly disappointed, his loss came at the hands of a rising star whose fearless brand of tennis proved too much to handle. But two days after Djokovic’s loss in Miami, Andy Roddick weighed in, praising the Serb’s longevity while offering a tactical blueprint for his future success. The American believes Nole still has the tools to win his 25th GS, but he may need to make some adjustments.
Credits: Imago
Speaking on the latest episode of his podcast Served with Andy Roddick that aired yesterday, the former US Open champion said, “He (Djokovic) can still win a major, especially when the surface is giving him sub love like it was in Miami. He was playing defensively to become more Aggasi type distributor where he sets himself up in the middle of the court and him controlling traffic as opposed to the Bendy Splity Magcoo thing that we’ve seen him so many years,”
Roddick continued, “He might have to adjust his late career adjustment like Roja did. Roger kind of stopped playing defense at scale like he would do it when he had to at 30 all or whatever, but early in Roger’s career, his best setting was like I am going to play cat and mouse, I am gonna hit that chip around.”
After Djokovic’s shocking early exit at the BNP Paribas Open, many were quick to suggest that the Serb’s dominance was fading. His first-round defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp bore similarities to his Miami Open final loss against Jakub Mensik: both opponents relied on their big serves to overpower the Serbian legend. Maintaining control during periods of intensely fast serves presents a challenge even to the most accomplished players.
However, there was one key difference between the two losses. At Indian Wells, Djokovic looked disengaged, lacking his usual fight when the match got tough. But in Miami, he was a completely different beast: not dropping a set until the final and falling only in two hard-fought tiebreakers.
Despite the heartbreak of missing out on his 100th career title, Djokovic showed hunger, resilience, and elite-level tennis throughout the Miami Open. And following his defeat, he shared his honest reflections on the loss, acknowledging the fine margins that separated him from victory.
“Never really happy to lose” —Novak Djokovic opened up after a heartbreaking final result
The Czech Jakub Mensik made history in Miami, competing in a match with the largest age gap ever in the event’s history since 1990, and the biggest in nearly 50 years on the ATP Tour. At just 19 years old, Mensik played with the composure of a seasoned champion under the Miami lights, launching a relentless barrage of powerful groundstrokes and firing 14 aces past Novak Djokovic. His fearless performance marked a rising force in men’s tennis, securing a statement victory over one of the sport’s greatest of all time.
And for Djokovic? The anguish, therefore, became more profound! Following a shocking early exit at Indian Wells and a semi-final retirement at the AO, Miami was another crushing setback in his pursuit of a historic 100th career title. But as always, the 24-time GS champion handled the defeat with grace and humility, acknowledging the incredible fight from his young opponent and reflecting on yet another chapter in his storied career.
“I’m never really happy to lose, but he’s one of the few players I would be happier to lose to. His serve is incredible, powerful, precise and he wins a lot of free points with the first serve. Backhand, as well. Czech school – they always have a great backhand. But forehand…he’s improved a lot. And movement for a tall, big guy like that, he slides and moves well. He still can improve so I’m sure we’ll be seeing him around. It’s unfortunate for me. I didn’t feel my greatest on court, but it is what it is. Nothing to take away from his victory,” Nole said.
Novak Djokovic equaled Margaret Court’s record with 24 GS in September 2023, but his quest for the 25th continues until now. With the clay season approaching, can he dominate Roland Garros and cement his status as the ultimate tennis icon with his 25th major? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “Can Still Win a Major” – Andy Roddick Backs Novak Djokovic to Win Another Major, Compares His Adaptation to Agassi and Federer appeared first on EssentiallySports.