Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (Photo : REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah)
Andy Roddick has nothing but high praises for the brilliance of current world's no.1 Novak Djokovic. However, when it comes to comparing him to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the American tennis legend believes the Serb hasn't done enough to deserve comparison with the top two tennis stars of all time, if not of this era.
Roddick, former US Open champion and former rivals to both Nadal and Federer during his ATP Tour days, gave his thoughts on the hottest debate in tennis today during an interview with Tennis Now.
According to Roddick, comparing Djokovic's greatness to Federer and Nadal might not bode well for the Serb, if the number of Grand Slam victories would be the basis. The American added the six major titles separating Djokovic and Nadal is something that cannot be overlooked because Grand Slams aren't that easy to win.
"If Djokovic can be compared to Federer and Nadal? I think he would be the first to admit that he is a little far behind Roger and Rafael still. I mean, six Slams away from Nadal is a number that can't be underestimated and if numbers are going to stay the same it would be very hard to compare him to those two," Roddick told Tennis Now via Tennis World USA.
Nevertheless, Roddick stressed that Djokovic is already great in his own rights because winning eight Grand Slam titles puts him in the same breath with other tennis legends such as Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi. He also thinks Djokovic can still enhance his legacy by winning that elusive French Open which would complete a Career Slam for him.
"At the same time we can already say that Djokovic is one of the greatest players of all time. If he will achieve the Career Slam winning the French Open, that will be a certainty and much more valuable," Roddick said.
