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Andy Roddick points out the big ‘problem’ Novak Djokovic has been suffering with throughout the clay court season so far

Image of Novak Djokovic reacting during his defeat to Matteo Arnaldi at the 2025 Madrid Open, inset of Andy Roddick speaking to the media ahead of ...
Credit: Getty Images/THOMAS COEX/AFP/Slaven Vlasic
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Novak Djokovic has yet to win a match on clay in 2025, as he continues to struggle on the red dirt.

The Serbian legend finished his stint on North American hard courts on a high, as Djokovic reached the final of the Miami Open, coming up short against Jakub Mensik, 6-7, 6-7.

Traveling to the principality in good form, Djokovic suffered a shock defeat against Alejandro Tabilo, as the Chilean extended his head-to-head advantage to 2-0.

Losing three consecutive matches for the second time this year, Djokovic was then beaten by Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the Madrid Open.

Novak Djokovic and Matteo Arnaldi embrace at the net after their second round match at the 2025 Madrid Open
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Withdrawing from Rome, Djokovic will return to action at the Geneva Open, in search of his first clay win of 2025.

As Djokovic finishes up his pre-tournament preparations in Switzerland, one ATP Tour legend has pinpointed the biggest problem he’s struggled with on the surface this year.

Andy Roddick is interested to see if Novak Djokovic’s movement looks ‘sharper’ at the Geneva Open

During the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, former world number one Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s clay struggles.

“It’s going to be interesting to see if Novak [Djokovic] can find something,” he said.

“To see if he’s got his legs underneath him in Geneva, if he’s been doing three weeks of two on ones, where that movement is a little sharper, which I think was the problem in Monte-Carlo and Madrid.

“It just looked like he wasn’t strong out of the corners; he was having to force it early.

“We’ll see what happens, it’s going to be super exciting.”

Novak Djokovic reacts during his defeat to Matteo Arnaldi at the 2025 Italian Open
Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images

Djokovic is scheduled to begin his Geneva Open campaign against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, whom he has beaten five times previously.

MatchWinnerLoserScore
2023 French Open – 2RNovak DjokovicMarton Fucsovics7-6, 6-0, 6-3
2021 Paris Masters – 2RNovak DjokovicMarton Fucsovics6-2, 4-6, 6-3
2021 Wimbledon – QFNovak DjokovicMarton Fucsovics6-3, 6-4, 6-4
2019 Qatar Open – 2RNovak DjokovicMarton Fucsovics4-6, 6-4, 6-1
2018 US Open – 1RNovak DjokovicMarton Fucsovics6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
Novak Djokovic and Marton Fucsovics’ head-to-head record

Their most memorable clash came in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon four years ago, when Djokovic advanced in straight sets.

Djokovic will certainly hope to secure win number six as he looks to finally notch his first clay-court victory of 2025.

Novak Djokovic’s clay results before his three French Open titles

The 37-year-old is a three-time champion at the French Open, having won in 2016, 2021, and 2023.

Fans of the Serb may be wondering just how successful his clay campaigns were in those years, as they ponder whether a fourth title could still be on the cards in 2025.

2016

In 2016, Djokovic played all three clay Masters 1000 events in the build-up to the French Open.

Just as he did in 2025, Djokovic got off to the worst possible start, losing his opening match at the Monte-Carlo Masters, but bounced back in convincing fashion.

Djokovic won the Madrid Open, beating Andy Murray in the final, before losing to the Brit in the final of the Italian Open.

Finishing their 2016 clay trilogy with a win, it was Murray who Djokovic beat to clinch his first career French Open title.

2021

Djokovic played two Masters 1000 tournaments and two ATP 250 tournaments ahead of the 2021 French Open.

Again, he struggled in Monte-Carlo, losing in the third round to Dan Evans, but performed better in Belgrade where he reached the semi-finals.

Withdrawing from Madrid, Djokovic returned in Rome, where he reached the final, coming up short against the legendary Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic hold their trophies after the 2021 Italian Open final
Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images

He then won the second tournament in Belgrade, beating Alex Molcan, 6-4, 6-3, in the final.

Novak Djokovic’s pre-French Open 2021 clay record: 12-3

2023

The 24-time Grand Slam champion didn’t have the best of times ahead of the 2023 French Open, failing to reach the semi-finals of all three tournaments he played.

Djokovic lost in the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters once more before falling at the quarterfinal stage in Banja Luka (Bosnia) and Rome.

Novak Djokovic’s pre-French Open 2023 clay record: 5-3

Perhaps the Serb will take inspiration from his 2023 campaign as he looks ahead to this year’s French Open.

A title in Geneva would see Djokovic finish his clay season with a 6-2 record, bettering what he achieved ahead of his most recent Roland Garros triumph.

Djokovic will begin his Geneva Open campaign against Fucsovics on Wednesday, May 21.