Andy Roddick recently expressed his admiration for Novak Djokovic, describing an aspect of the Serbian player's performance as "unbelievably impressive." Despite appearing to operate at a part-time level this season, Djokovic still managed to secure his position as one of the top players in tennis, finishing the year ranked third overall.
In the past year, Djokovic participated in only 13 tournaments, achieving a commendable record of 39 wins against 11 losses. He captured titles at the ATP 250 events held in Geneva and Athens and reached the semifinals of all four major Grand Slam tournaments.
Although Djokovic ended the year as the world’s No. 4, trailing Alexander Zverev by 330 points, it’s crucial to recognize that the 38-year-old athlete prioritized Grand Slam competitions this season. He opted out of several Masters events and the ATP Finals, focusing instead on the biggest tournaments.
While Zverev may hold a higher ranking than Djokovic, it's clear that the legendary 24-time Grand Slam champion showcased remarkable consistency throughout the year, particularly during high-stakes matches.
Roddick highlighted Djokovic's unique ability to perform at an elite level without full-time commitment, saying, "At this stage in the last four, it feels like he can switch on and off being a top-three or top-four player in the world. That’s Novak Djokovic for you. How do we compare this year to his entire career? For him, any year without a Major title is likely disappointing. Yet, this year was extraordinary to witness. He was essentially a part-time tennis player while still being the third-best in the world. It’s almost absurd. It’s incredibly impressive," Roddick remarked during his podcast.
In recent interviews, Djokovic has been candid about his priorities in this phase of his career. The former world No. 1 is concentrating primarily on Grand Slams, the Olympics, and competing for his country in the Davis Cup.
Interestingly, the gold medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics indicated a desire to maintain his fitness in the coming years, potentially eyeing the Los Angeles Olympics as a fitting stage for his retirement.
