Andy Roddick says what fans will be saying about Novak Djokovic if he wins his opening matches at the French Open, ‘We have very short memories’

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Novak Djokovic has endured a torrid start to his clay-court season and is yet to win a match on the surface in 2025.

The Serbian star began his clay campaign in the principality, appearing at his 18th career Monte-Carlo Masters.

Falling at the first hurdle, Djokovic lost to Alejandro Tabilo, 3-6, 4-6, handing the Chilean a 2-0 lead in their head-to-head.

Attempting to bounce back in Madrid, the 37-year-old came up short once more when Djokovic fell to Matteo Arnaldi in his opening match.

After suffering two early exits, Djokovic chose to skip the Italian Open, an event he hadn’t missed since debuting in 2007.

With his sights now firmly set on Roland Garros, one of Djokovic’s former rivals has revealed what he thinks people will say if the Serb wins his opening matches in Paris.

Andy Roddick thinks Novak Djokovic will be considered a favorite in Paris if he wins his opening matches

Speaking on his podcast, 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick reflected on the first four months of Djokovic’s season and suggested what will happen if he gets off to a strong start in the French capital.

“[His year] is littered with first-round losses. It’s like I can’t just show up at tournaments and be in the semis. It’s not something that is the norm for me anymore,” said Roddick.

“But he doesn’t have to. He is here for four events per year. He won the Olympics. He is here for four events a year.

“For me, it’s just a matter of can he get off the mark? What is his start? If it’s a 100m dash, I don’t know if he can kick and make up ground once he’s behind now. 

“But if he gets a couple of matches in, he is in the semis of Australia and might have been considered co-favourite.

“We have very short memories.

“All we remember right now is [Matteo] Arnaldi. But he beat [Carlos] Alcaraz, and he was playing [Alexander] Zverev, and people are saying if he’s healthy, he is the favourite.

“Zverev was two or three in the world. He can reset that expectation so quickly. If he looks great in his first two rounds at Roland Garros, we are throwing him right back up to the top of the favourites list.

“He can reset quicker than anyone.”

Roddick then shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s surprise withdrawal from this year’s Italian Open.

“Not playing Rome. I guess the only way it makes sense is, ‘Is my movement lacking?'” he said.

“Do I need two weeks of two on ones for three or four hours a day to prepare for three out of five sets?

“Maybe my body is not ready for three out of five sets post-Australia, with the hamstring strain.

“Playing two sets in Miami is different from playing three out of five at Roland Garros. So that would make sense to me.”

The American then suggested the Serb could potentially appear at another ATP tournament before the French Open.

“One of the advantages for him is that every Masters series is two months long now,” said Roddick.

“Maybe he takes this block and sneaks some matches in in Geneva.

“But I think I am done trying to apply what is normal for the rest of us, as far as I haven’t played enough matches, I need to enter as many tournaments as possible. It’s just not his rules.”

Djokovic chose to play the Geneva Open in 2024, winning his opening two matches against Yannick Hanfmann and Tallon Griekspoor before losing to Tomas Machac in the semi-finals.

The 2025 Geneva Open is set to begin on May 18, one week before Roland Garros gets underway.

Novak Djokovic is just four wins away from career landmark at the 2025 French Open

Only two players in the history of men’s tennis have won 100 or more matches at a single Grand Slam event.

• Roger Federer – 102 wins at the Australian Open, 105 wins at Wimbledon
• Rafael Nadal – 112 wins at the French Open

Djokovic began his 2025 campaign with a chance of adding his name to the list, as he was within seven wins of 100 at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.

Losing in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, Djokovic couldn’t quite get over the line, and will have to wait till 2025 for a potential 100th win in Melbourne.

He is still, however, in with a chance of breaking the Century mark at either of the next two Grand Slam tournaments.

A run to the last eight in Paris would see Djokovic join his ‘big three’ rivals in the 100-win club, a feat very few are likely to repeat.

Djokovic will begin his search for wins number 97, 98, 99, and 100 when the 2025 French Open gets underway on Sunday, May 25.