WILL NOVAK DJOKOVIC WIN ANOTHER GRAND SLAM TITLE? – ANDY RODDICK DELIVERS HIS VERDICT
Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard have both weighed in on whether Novak Djokovic will win another Grand Slam title as the Serb works his way back from injury.
Former world No 1 Roddick backed Djokovic to add to his Major haul and labelled him “the best grass-court player in the world”, but also warned “time is undefeated.”
Djokovic has won a record 24 Grand Slam titles and sits two clear of Rafael Nadal and four ahead of Roger Federer, who are second and third on the all-time men’s Major list.
The 37-year-old secured his most recent Grand Slam crown at the 2023 US Open in September — the third Major he won in an incredible season.
The Serbian is yet to reach a final in what has been a challenging 2024 campaign, but he found his best tennis of the year at the French Open before being derailed by injury.
Djokovic tore the medial meniscus in his right knee during his fourth round triumph against Francisco Cerundolo at Roland Garros. The tennis legend withdrew ahead of his quarter-final match with Casper Ruud and underwent surgery on his knee.
The current world No 3 will travel to London ahead of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, which will begin on July 1. Djokovic is yet to announce if he will compete at the All England Club.
During an episode of the Tennis Channel Live podcast, Roddick was asked if he thinks Djokovic will add to his Major tally.
“Yeah, if I had to bet on it, I’d say yes,” said the 2003 US Open winner. “Listen, what you’re asking us to predict is health and motivation, right? The game, he can still play.
“His down year, he’s made the semis and the quarters of the first two Slams of the year. That’s good for the rest of us chuckers, right? Those are good results. I think so (Djokovic will win another Slam). I still think he’s the best grass-court player in the world when healthy.
“But, he’s not young anymore. Time is undefeated. He’s certainly given it hell, but when you start having these operations throughout the year, when you come back…
“And there’s no one in front of him, he’s chasing ghosts at this point as far as record books. So just on merit, on game — I think for sure. And bet against the greats at your peril.”
Bouchard, a runner-up at Wimbledon in 2014, predicted that Djokovic will win two more Grand Slams as she shut down questions over his motivation.
“I think he can get two more, and I don’t think there’s ever gonna be the lack of motivation because we see that from him right now,” assessed the Canadian.
“It’s all about the health, if he can be healthy enough to string together those seven matches over two weeks.”
2024-06-23T14:14:24Z dg43tfdfdgfd