Published 01/31/2023, 12:41 PM EST
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is in a surreal form right now. The 35-year-old defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to claim his 22nd Grand Slam title. It was also his 10th Australian Open title. Djokovic has been there for a long and a few of his fellow ATP stars have taken retirement.
One of them is the former American tennis star, Andy Roddick. Roddick currently works as a tennis analyst and broadcaster. Recently, when he praised the Serb for his achievement, a fan’s comment made him recall his playing days and rivalry with Djokovic.
When Andy Roddick mocked Novak Djokovic
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Andy Roddick was already a popular name in the circuit when Djokovic arrived on the scene. However, the Serb made rapid progress and quickly became one of the top tennis players.
Back then, Roddick also faced Djokovic. Recently, when Roddick congratulated Djokovic for his Australian Open triumph, a fan reminded him of the time he mocked Djokovic before their US Open 2008 semifinal clash.
Djokovic was suffering from multiple injury issues and Roddick made a funny remark about his health. This created a huge controversy and the American also attracted a lot of criticism. Later Djokovic defeated him in a tight four-set match.
“In a presser. Yes, I remember. He came out totally healthy the next match and kicked my ass.”
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It is a welcome gesture from Roddick, as the two are supposed to have had a bitter relationship. 15 years ago Roddick seemingly mocked Djokovic’s illness, which created a controversy.
Djokovic and Roddick came face to face on nine occasions. Out of this, Roddick ended up leading 5-4.
Djokovic got emotional after the record win
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Fans might not be happy with the kind of show Stefanos Tsitsipas put up in the final. It was a cakewalk for the Serb who got a little challenge in the first set and won two back-to-back tiebreakers to clinch the match.
Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 29, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with his mother, Dijana Djokovic, his managers Elena Cappellaro and Edoardo Artaldi, his brother Marko Djokovic and his coach Goran Ivanisevic after winning his final match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Although it was a rather easy win for Djokovic, the Serb was full of emotions after the match ended. He ran straight to his box and hugged his mother.
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Later, the 22-time Grand Slam champion collapsed on the ground and sobbed uncontrollably. It might have looked like an easy tournament win, but after what he went through in last season, it definitely was a special one for Djokovic.