"I haven't changed my mind" - Andy Roddick picks Novak Djokovic to win 25th Major at Australian Open
Andy Roddick recently gave his 2024 Australian Open predictions, backing Novak Djokovic to extend his Major count to 25.
Djokovic displayed some of his best tennis in the 2023 season, laying claim to three out of the four Grand Slams and two ATP Masters 1000 titles. He recently won a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title too, beating Jannik Sinner in the final on 19 November.
Before the final, Roddick backed Djokovic to win the ATP Finals against the 22-year-old Italian. In a more recent interview with the Tennis Channel, the former World No. 1 continued to back Djokovic, this time for the Australian Open title.
"It's my boring prediction again, I'm just gonna keep doing it because I just said yesterday and three days ago that I'm not going to bet against Novak Djokovic," Roddick said.
The 41-year-old added that although other players might have a chance to lift the Australian Open crown, he wouldn't dare bet against Djokovic.
"It doesn't mean I don't believe someone else has a chance but I will not put my money against Djokovic. Certainly haven't changed my mind after the last couple of days and what we saw against Alcaraz and Sinner, I go Novak," Roddick said.
The Serb came out swinging at the start of his 2023 season. He bagged his 10th Australian Open title in January, prevailing over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the summit clash 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5).
Later, Djokovic doused the challenge of Carlos Alcaraz to set up a clash against Casper Ruud in the final of the French Open. The 36-year-old ended Ruud's dream run at the clay-court Major to lift his third Roland Garros crown, 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5.
Djokovic could not lift a record eighth Wimbledon title as he lost a hard-fought battle against Carlos Alcaraz in the summit clash 6-1, 6-7(6), 1-6, 6-3, 4-6. But he bounced back at the 2023 US Open, where he downed Daniil Medvedev in the title clash 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to tie Margaret Court's 24 Grand Slam titles record.
Novak Djokovic on winning his 7th ATP Finals title - "One of the best seasons I've had in my life, no doubt"
Novak Djokovic recently clinched his seventh ATP Finals title, outplaying Jannik Sinner in the final on Sunday, November 19. Djokovic defeated the home boy 6-3, 6-3 in Turin and later described his 2023 season as "one of the best."
"Very special. One of the best seasons I've had in my life no doubt. To crown it with a win against a home-town hero, Jannik Sinner, who has played amazing tennis this week is phenomenal," said Djokovic after the win.
The Serb now sits alone at the top when it comes to ATP Finals titles, overtaking Roger Federer's tally of six.