Andy Roddick says Novak Djokovic is doing "unbelievable" things at 38, and the American tennis legend is advising the Serb to handle the retirement question by just stating that he would be gone when he was not one of the best anymore.
Djokovic, who celebrated his 38th birthday in May, hasn't played much this year and it is not a secret that he has had some surprising defeats this year. Heading into the US Open, the Serbian tennis star stands at 26-9 in 2025 and he is ranked at No. 7 in the world.
Djokovic may not have been at his usual level of consistency in some tournaments below the Grand Slam category, but he has still delivered consistently on the biggest stage since he has three Slam semifinals in 2025. At the Australian Open, the former world No. 1 managed to beat Carlos Alcaraz before an unfortunate injury forced him to retire against Alexander Zverev. The 38-year-old also made the semifinals at the French Open and Wimbledon, but world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was too much to handle on both occasions.
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Sharing his thoughts on this year's US Open edition, Roddick declared Djokovic "the third favorite" for the main glory, and highlighted that he was stating that in a very respectful manner since not many players have managed to make deep Slam runs at 38, especially not be among the top favorites for the title.
Roddick: Djokovic is unbelievable... Just tell journalists you'll retire when you are not one of the best anymore
I mean, he's playing tennis this year and he's made three semi-finals in Grand Slams at 38 years old. How about Novak Djokovic and what he's still doing? Unbelievable.I was watching him right before he came over to the stage. Even in practice, there's never a shot that looks panicked. It's always under control, hasn't played since Wimbledon, but practicing was very, I saw him break him twice in practice. It's just unbelievable what he's still doing," the 2003 US Open champion said on the Served with Andy Roddick.
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"And if any journalist ask him when he's going to retire, he should say, when I'm not one of the best players in the world anymore, and just save himself that question over and over again. He's literally the third favorite in every major he enters right now, has made three semi-finals in majors this year. Hasn't played since Wimbledon, isn't really going to affect my pick much."
If Djokovic makes his fourth Grand Slam semifinal of the year at the US Open, Alcaraz could be his opponent. Should the Serb reach the title match, he could easily meet Sinner there.
