One of the clashes that has characterized the last 15 years of tennis history involved Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The Spaniard and the Serb created an intense and tough rivalry, which culminated in some truly unforgettable matches. Even (and perhaps above all) on clay courts. A surface where Rafa has dominated for the last 19 years, but on which Nole has managed to carve out an equally important space for himself.
In one of the latest episodes of the Served with Andy Roddick Podcast, the former US tennis legend shared some interesting thoughts on the upcoming Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport
Roddick highlighted a particular aspect that should not be underestimated, which is already driving fans crazy. Not being seeded, Rafael Nadal (if he were to play in Paris) could potentially face Novak Djokovic already in the first round.
“I could tell you that if I was one of the top seeds, that I wouldn’t want to play in the first round, if it was just in the draw. Nadal a guy who has won that event 14 times. There’s something that isn’t talked about enough about that moment, he is unseeded.
We could potentially have a first round Rafel Nadal vs Novak Djokovic at the Roland Garros. Any injury from here on could be the last injury of good health for two or three events before the Roland Garros, he will certainly be one of the favourites,” he explained.
But in the meantime, Roddick harshly criticized Djokovic
The Monte Carlo Rolex Masters showcased the splendid form of Stefanos Tsitsipas, who won the tournament for the third time in his career. The first major event of the season on clay ended a few days ago at the ATP Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo, but the controversies surrounding some of the tournament’s matches have not subsided.
The error suffered by Jannik Sinner in the semi-final match against Tsitsipas, which denied him a fairly clear point that would have brought him two breaks away from his opponent, in the third and decisive set, was certainly one of the most controversial moments of the tournament.
But the Italian’s previous match against Holger Rune was not the calmest either. The Dane called the umpire’s attention, asking him to silence the crowd, who in his opinion were causing too much confusion.
Rune then took the law into his own hands by railing against the fans, and receiving a warning.
Not exactly the same treatment was reserved for Novak Djokovic, who was also the protagonist of a similar attitude.
Novak Djokovic© Julian Finney / Staff Getty Images Sport
The umpire, however, took no action towards the Serbian legend. Andy Roddick did not stomach this unequal treatment and spoke out about it.
“Whether it’s Djokovic or anyone else, I don’t care. He should have received a warning for insulting the public. Novak swore three times and did not receive a single warning. It’s simply surprising that Rune received almost no warning at all.It makes no sense to suggest that anyone gets a warning when he repeatedly yells at the crowd to shut up. …You don’t agree,” said the US, responding to a user’s comment on X.
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