Andy Roddick: 'Novak Djokovic reached the ultimate on one leg and made us idiots'

Novak Djokovic didn’t raise a Main trophy in 2024 following a stellar run in 2023. Novak’s solely Main ultimate within the season behind us got here at Wimbledon, and it shocked many! The Serb is among the many best grass-courters in tennis historical past.

He has been among the many favorites at Wimbledon for 15 years, however final season’s was totally different! The Serb underwent proper knee surgical procedure in Paris on June 5. Only some (Taylor Fritz is amongst them) gave his possibilities to recuperate by Wimbledon.

The legend not solely did that however reached his tenth Wimbledon ultimate! The previous finalist on the All England Membership, Andy Roddick, praised Djokovic effort, highlighting the actual fact he achieved that ‘on one leg.’

Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot

Novak injured his proper knee throughout Roland Garros. The veteran handed two rivals in five-setters earlier than withdrawing forward of the quarter-final. The 24-time Main winner wasted no time, present process surgical procedure and beginning the battle in opposition to time.

Novak displayed his unimaginable bodily and psychological energy. He entered the Wimbledon draw with safety on his knee and toppled 5 rivals to succeed in the milestone tenth title conflict in London. The Serb didn’t win it, nevertheless it supplied him with an enormous increase forward of the Olympic Video games.

Djokovic didn’t know what to anticipate within the aggressive matches, making an attempt and hoping for one of the best. He made a promising begin in opposition to Vit Kopriva, sealing the deal in straight units forward of two tougher rivals.

Carlos Alcaraz & Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot

Novak needed to work exhausting in opposition to the house participant, Jacob Fearnley. The Briton took cost from the third set and stood two factors from forcing a decider. Nevertheless, Djokovic prevailed within the fourth set and averted spending extra time on the courtroom.

The veteran dropped the opening set in opposition to Alexei Popyrin within the third spherical. He recovered his sport and moved excessive in 4 units for a spot within the final 16. Holger Rune couldn’t problem the seven-time champion, and Djokovic loved a relaxed day on the workplace.

Like a present from above, he acquired Alex de Minaur’s withdrawal, lacking the quarter-final and including extra relaxation days for his troubled knee. Novak confronted Lorenzo Musetti within the semi-final and earned a 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 win for a spot in his tenth Wimbledon ultimate.

Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot

It was an enormous success for the veteran contemplating the state of his knee. Nevertheless, Djokovic had nothing left within the tank in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz within the title conflict, ending runner-up to the Spaniard for the second straight 12 months.

Carlos sealed the deal 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 27 minutes, defending the title and celebrating his fourth Main crown at 21! The younger gun outplayed the veteran within the opening two units after dominating on serve and return.

Alcaraz confronted three break factors and misplaced serve as soon as whereas serving for the win. However, Djokovic misplaced 42% of the factors in his video games and acquired damaged 5 instances from 14 possibilities offered to the defending champion.

Carlos secured 4 breaks within the opening two units and served effectively to forge an enormous 6-2, 6-2 benefit in 75 minutes! Novak denied 4 break factors within the third sport of the third set and missed a break probability at 3-2 that might have despatched him in entrance.

The Spaniard fired winners within the ninth sport, securing a break and serving for the title at 5-4. The younger gun generated three match factors and wasted them, spraying errors and dropping serve for the one time to maintain the legend alive!

They served effectively within the remaining two video games and launched a tie break. Alcaraz grabbed two mini-breaks and landed a drop shot winner for 6-4 and two match factors. He transformed the primary with a service winner, lifting a trophy and leaving Novak with the runner-up prize.

“Novak made the Wimbledon final on one leg Idiots like me thought he did not have enough time to recover and play, let alone make a final,” Andy Roddick stated.