Novak Djokovic remains in with a chance of winning a 25th Grand Slam title after reaching the Australian Open semifinals.
Djokovic was nowhere near his best against Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals, but he received a lucky break when the Italian retired hurt while two sets ahead.
That arrived after Djokovic received a walkover in round four of the Australian Open following the withdrawal of Jakub Mensik.
But now the former ATP number one faces two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, who has dominated men’s tennis in recent years alongside Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner and Alcaraz have combined to win each of the last eight Grand Slam titles, with Djokovic reminded of such dominance in his latest press conference.
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Andy Roddick hates Grand Slam question asked to Novak Djokovic
It was said to the Serbian: “In the early part of your career when you were chasing Roger [Federer] and Rafa [Nadal] for titles, and now, at the back end of your career, you’re chasing Jannik and Carlos.”
After Djokovic reminded the reporter of his 24 Grand Slam titles, he was then asked: “What I’m saying is, is it possible to compare the way you felt initially when you were chasing Rafa and Roger to now when Carlos and Jannik have split the last Grand Slams?”
Taking exception to the question, former world number one Andy Roddick said on his Quick Served podcast: “I don’t think Novak would argue with I am chasing these two right now.
“But I think his point was that if I was chasing these guys and now I’m chasing them, did you skip over the decade where I was the only guy being chased?
“What sucks is that someone is going to play that and be like Novak was s—— with the reporter and I’m going no, that is a s—— question.
“You can ask him the question but let’s ask it [properly]. So when you go at the beginning of your career you were chasing these guys and then you dominated and now similar to 18 years ago you are chasing two guys again.
“What’s the connective tissue? Are there any similarities, or does a decade of ownership change the feeling? But don’t leave out two decades! He is right to get s— about it!”
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Djokovic was absolutely right to stand up for himself, not that the veteran needs to remind anyone of his stunning achievements.
His superb 24 Grand Slam titles are more than any other male player, as are his 10 titles at the Australian Open.
Sinner and Alcaraz, while showing immense levels despite their youth, are some way off the records achieved by the Serbian.
He now has a fantastic chance to prove one final time that he is still a major threat on the biggest stage, although it would be no surprise if he loses to Sinner.
Despite his stunning career, the 38-year-old is the underdog in the clash, with his opponent having lifted the trophy in Melbourne for two years running.
That is, however, a scenario that could play into the hands of Djokovic, with simply no pressure on the legendary figure at this stage of his career.
It’s very rare that he finds himself in such a situation, having constantly been the man to beat for so many years during his prime.
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Fellow icons Nadal and Federer did, of course, trouble him time and again, but they are both behind their former rival in the all-time Grand Slam titles list on 22 and 20 respectively.
The duo and the two new superstars were all indeed referenced by Djokovic when he was asked the question that has annoyed Roddick.
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He said: “Well, I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of miss out on what happened in between where the times when I started chasing, as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik, and there’s probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams.
“So I think it’s important to put that in perspective. I don’t feel like I’m chasing, to be honest. Roger and Rafa will always be my greatest rivals.
“I have tremendous respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing and they continue to do and they will do for the next 10 to 15, 20 years. God knows how many years they’re going to play, they’re so young.”
Sinner boasts four Grand Slam titles at the age of 24, while Alcaraz is already on six at the age of 22, with both players just one short of the career Grand Slam.
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