Andy Roddick drew parallels between Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams after the Serb’s hard-fought second-round win at the 2026 French Open. Djokovic, bidding for his 25th major title at Roland Garros this year, was stretched thin at times by home hope Valentin Royer, who took the former No. 1 to four sets. In the end though, it was the three-time French Open champion who came out on top with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(7-9), 6-3 victory.
In the aftermath of the contest, Roddick, via his Served podcast, touched on how the 39-year-old Serb doesn’t like getting stretched by opponents these days given his age. It’s worth noting that the 101-time career singles titlist was taken to four sets in his first-round outing as well. On that occasion, it was another Frenchman, the big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who tested Djokovic.
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“It was a little bumpy in the third set. Obviously he got extended. He doesn’t want to get extended, right? He would have liked to button this up in two hours and 15 (minutes) and he got pushed to three hours and 44 minutes. You don’t want that if you’re Novak,” Roddick said.
The now-retired American former ATP star, who famously reached the summit of the men’s singles rankings and won the 2003 US Open, then recalled how Serena Williams would keep growing into majors as she progressed through them in the twilight years of her legendary career. According to Andy Roddick, the situation is similar now for Novak Djokovic.
“But also, the reps aren’t bad for him. He is in this like, Serena mode now where he almost plays himself into shape during the Slam, like, in real time, because no matter how much you practice, you can’t recreate nerves,” the former World No. 1 added.
“I feel it was my fault” – Novak Djokovic on French Open 2R going to four sets after Serb’s inability to capitalize on match point opportunity
While the Serb acknowledged Royer’s efforts in their second-round meeting at Roland Garros, he was not too pleased with himself for not making the most of the match point he had at 6-5 in the third-set tie-break. Speaking in his post-match, on-court interview, the 39-year-old said:
“It was very hot and I think that Valentin deserves a big round of applause for his performance today. It was a very difficult match, a very big challenge from the start. Credit to him for winning the third set, but I feel it was my fault because I was twice a break up and (attempted) to serve for the match.”
Up next for the 24-time Slam champion at the 2026 French Open is a third-round showdown against 19-year-old Brazilian prodigy Joao Fonseca in what is set to be the pair’s maiden competitive meeting.
Edited by Sudipto Pati