SUMMARY
- Novak Djokovic has gained a reputation for taking medical timeouts to throw his opponents off rhythm.
- Andy Roddick mocked Djokovic's alleged illnesses at a conference.
Serbian star Novak Djokovic is one of the biggest names in the world of sports at present. Djokovic has etched his name in the history of tennis with his incredible achievements. However, the Serb is also a bit of a polarizing figure and has often found himself receiving flak for taking medical timeouts. In one instance, though, he nearly got into fisticuffs with American star Andy Roddick.
Novak has gained a bit of a reputation for taking medical timeouts at inopportune moments. Many believe it is a deliberate tactic to throw his opponents off their rhythm. Djokovic recently came under fire for the same reason again at the United Cup.
This incident has brought back memories of the time Andy Roddick took potshots at Djokovic for this behavior. An old video of Roddick mocking Novak’s host of alleged illnesses has surfaced online.
Here is a video of Andy Roddick talking about Djokovic faking injuries. “He has bird flu, sars, common cold, cramps, back injury…” Even Novak’s opponents know that he is a faker. https://t.co/OBCvLr1Yjn pic.twitter.com/HjCcdoYliu
— Fred Meyer 🇽🇰 (@FredWMeyer666) January 4, 2024
The interview is from 2008, ahead of his clash with Djokovic in the quarterfinal of the US Open. That year, Djokovic played through a fair amount of issues in the first four rounds.
The interviewer asked Andy about his opponent, and the American star came up with a laundry list of ailments for Djokovic. From cramps to bird flu, Roddick’s answers left everyone in stitches. Even the reporter pitched in, “Beijing hangover. He’s got a pretty long list of illnesses,” he said about Novak.
As amusing as this interview was, the clash between Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick was incredible. The Serb let his racket do the talking against Roddick.
Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Roddick at the US Open in 2008
The quarterfinal clash between the two of them turned out to be very memorable, particularly for Novak. He went out all guns blazing and managed to silence his critics with his performance. Djokovic ended up defeating the crowd favorite, Roddick, 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5).
Following his victory, Djokovic gave a rather fiery interview and was met with loud boos from the crowd. He let it be known that Roddick’s comments about him faking his injuries were unsavory. “I know [the fans] are already against me because they think I am faking everything. That’s not nice anyhow to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and that I’m faking it,” he said.
While the war of words ended there, Roddick had a bone to pick with Djokovic. Roddick later confessed that the tensions spilled over in the locker room, and he pushed Djokovic against the locker. He added that he did it in the heat of the moment but then checked himself.
Novak Djokovic is one of the world’s greatest tennis players of all time. He has won 24 Grand Slams, with the determination to win more. Andy Roddick retired from the sport in 2012.