Hall of Famer Andy Roddick recently weighed in on Novak Djokovic’s unwavering conviction, highlighting the authenticity the Serbian star brings to his life both on and off the court. As Djokovic prepares for his record-breaking 18th ATP Finals appearance, where he’ll chase an eighth singles championship, Roddick’s praise sheds light on the mindset that has defined a legendary career.
Why Does Andy Roddick Have ‘So Much Respect’ for Novak Djokovic?
During a recent episode of “Served with Andy Roddick,” the American icon, alongside journalist L. Jon Wertheim and producer Mike Hayden, dove into the qualities that set Novak Djokovic apart. Specifically, Roddick focused on Djokovic’s commitment to his personal beliefs, even when it invites controversy.
Roddick shared, “I have so much respect for Novak (Djokovic) for if he says something out loud and he believes it, he actually believes it. I mean, he will move to Greece because of his belief system right and uproot everything. So, you have to respect that one way or the other.”
The former ATP star’s point was highlighted by Djokovic’s recent, highly publicized departure from his homeland. The move attracted intense scrutiny from the media and even President Aleksandar Vucic after Djokovic supported protests in Serbia following a tragic railway station accident in Novi Sad that killed 16 people in November 2024.
Following the family’s relocation to Athens, Greece, a mural of Djokovic in his Wimbledon attire was defaced in Serbia’s capital. He has since settled in Glyfada, a coastal district south of Athens, where his children, son Stefan, 11, and daughter Tara, 8, have enrolled at Saint Lawrence College, a British independent school.
Roddick connected that same conviction to Djokovic’s historic dominance in the sport of tennis. “That says a lot about why he’s been able to do what he’s done for so long, right? Everyone believed that Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Rafael Nadal) were the best, and no one was going to break that and he goes, I believe I can and he did, right?”
The winner of 32 ATP Tour singles titles concluded that while Djokovic’s path is often more challenging, his commitment is absolute. “And there are a lot of moments that maybe not everyone agrees with and it they become polarizing and also he fully commits when he says and believes something. At some point you got to respect that. He does the harder thing. He acts what he says all the time.”
That conviction will be tested again soon. Djokovic is set to play in the 2025 ATP Finals in the Jimmy Connors Group, facing Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and Alex de Minaur. The Bjorn Borg Group will feature Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, and either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Lorenzo Musetti.