Novak Djokovic did everything right at the Miami Open, except winning the final. The 24-time Grand Slam winner suffered an excruciating defeat at the hands of 19-year-old Jakub Mensik. Had the Serb prevailed, it would have been his 100th career title, but Jakub denied him the title and prolonged his wait to attain the milestone. Nevertheless, Djokovic will return but he will have to brush aside the disappointing loss and will have to look forward to the clay season.
Former World No.1 Andy Roddick Weighs In On Novak Djokovic's Position
Following the culmination of the game, Novak Djokovic admitted that he was not able to give his best on the day and attributed it as a "weird day". Djokovic, who has won the Miami Open six times before in his career, looked at his formidable best in the run-up to the final, hinting a return in form before the majors in the offing.
Former world No.1 Andy Roddick assessed Djokovic's situation and claimed that Djoker can still capture many titles despite being in the twilight phase of his career.
“He can still win a major, especially when the surface is giving him some love, like it was in Miami. Where the ball is getting through the court, where he doesn’t have to protect the sidelines as much and doesn’t have to play as much defence,” Roddick said on his latest Served podcast.
“Extraordinary. There’s just not a world that anyone is saying Djokovic was disappointing because he didn’t win that final. What? He’s almost 38 years, didn’t drop a set until the final and lost two breakers. If they played the match again tomorrow, I would bet on Novak on that surface.
“What Novak is doing is just crazy. I didn’t think we would see this much of him this year. He stayed in the States for a month to play Indian Wells and Miami.”
Roddick went on to suggest the arrival of former rival Andy Murray in his camp as a coach has given him a fresh incentive to shine, as he backed the most successful player of all time to challenge for the title at the French Open.
“Is the product he is putting out there good enough to win a major? Yes, it is. Will it happen? I don’t know,” continued Roddick,
“You talked about Roland Garros, three out of five [sets]. This guy did win the Olympics there a few months ago.