Andy Roddick has played down concerns over Novak Djokovic’s Cincinnati Open struggles and made a telling comment about the Serb ahead of the 2026 US Open.
Djokovic was upset 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 by world No 50 Thiago Agustin Tirante in his opening match at the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati last week.
The 24-time major champion dominated the first set, but he suffered physically for large spells of a match played in brutal afternoon heat and humidity in Mason, Ohio.
After his loss, Djokovic divulged that he has been dealing with a health problem that causes “a lot of issues.”
“It’s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years. A lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot,” said Djokovic.
The 39-year-old will next play at the US Open, where he will aim to become the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in tennis history.
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Speaking on his Served podcast, Roddick shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s Cincinnati Open exit.
“I hope we learn more about what these specific issues are at some point,” said the 2003 US Open champion.
“But irrespective of an issue that he has physically, [he’s] 39, you’re not playing matches. You rock up at Cincy, you play a guy who’s playing every week right now.
“He’s not getting out of the corners with a big shot, like when Tirante rips one to his forehand. Novak’s trying to hit it hard to get out of it, it’s not like he’s settling in for the long haul.
“Does this matter for anyone less than Novak in the entire universe — what he does at a Masters 1000? No.
“Most likely I am going to look at his draw at the [US] Open and be like, ‘Oh, he’s probably going to the semis.’
“Does it matter if he beats Tirante and beats one more person? Not really. I am happy that he’s in Cincinnati because – worst-case scenario – now he has two weeks where I know he is going to be in heat and playing practice sets against guys that are like 10 and 20 in the world.
“Does he need match conditions as much as everyone else in the world? No. Does he need to know how to navigate a five-setter? No.
“Does he need to make sure he’s right physically… I don’t care who you are, going from playing practice sets in Greece against some person who is 600 in the world and then showing up and having a guy who can rip your head off — I don’t care who you are — you have to be playing against the competition that’s the best in the world with some sort of consistency.
“So, I don’t know — he will be fine. I’m looking at the weather for New York, it’s going to be 75 degrees — that’s a lot different than Cincinnati.
“I think he can probably get away with finding those reps in practice more than anyone else in the world.”
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