Novak Djokovic was crowned the undisputed 2023 US Open champion as the 36-year-old Serbian defeated Daniil Medvedev in three sets 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. The Serbian celebrated the victory with his family before he was handed the trophy by Andy Roddick, against whom Djokovic played a handful of games (9 to be precise) early in his career.
Although Roddick enjoyed an upper hand in the head-to-head record, leading it 5-4, Djokovic has moved way ahead of the American in terms of titles won. While Roddick won one Grand Slam title in his career, Djokovic has 24. This sheer consistency from the Serbian has turned Roddick into a Novak Djokovic fan but this was not always the case.
During their rivalry, Roddick mocked Djokovic for his injuries during a press conference in 2008. It was after Djokovic had defeated the American in the quarterfinals of the US Open. Roddick looked frustrated as he mocked the Serbian for contracting almost every disease and injuring each and every body part.
Now, as Roddick handed the US Open trophy to Djokovic, fans have started resharing the old video while taking a dig at Roddick. A user claimed it was the most karma event of the year. “Seeing Andy Roddick having to present Djokovic with the US Open last night, almost exactly 15 years after his press conference mocking Djokovic is the most karma event of 2023,” the user wrote while sharing Roddick’s clip.
Andy Roddick is a Novak Djokovic fan now!
While Andy Roddick had his share of issues against Novak Djokovic during his playing days, the American is now a fan of the Serbian legend. Roddick has been consistently praising the 36-year-old for his skills as well as his fitness. Roddick has heaped praise on Djokovic after the Serbian beat Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon final at the Cincinnati Masters.
“Novak digging deep, I thought he was cooked in the match, but then all of a sudden you look up and it is three hours and 50 minutes total time and he looks better than he did in the first set,” he said. “Novak is an absolute specimen. At 36 years old to be able to go out and do that, especially recovering [after suffering early on].”
Notably, Novak Djokovic played in the finals of all four Grand Slams this year. While he managed to win three of them, the 36-year-old almost beat Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon as well.
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