Roddick Pays Tribute to Djokovic: Integrity and Consistency Forge a Legend, Relocating to Greece Reflects His Devotion

On November 5, 2025, former world No.1 Andy Roddick spoke on his podcast "Served" about Novak Djokovic’s decision to move from Serbia to Greece, expressing deep respect for the tennis icon while also lamenting the circumstances that led him to leave his homeland.

In September this year, 38-year-old Djokovic relocated with his family from Belgrade to Athens, defying expectations about the twilight of his career. The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion admitted that this move was not intended as a permanent plan but rather a choice shaped by personal and professional changes over the past two years. Currently, he is competing in the ATP250 Greek Open, organized by his family, beginning his tournament journey in his new home.

Behind Djokovic’s relocation lies a controversial history tied to his political stance. In December 2024, he openly supported anti-government protests initiated by Serbian students; in March 2025, he shared photos on social media showing 300,000 protesters with the caption “History, truly overwhelming!” These actions made him a target of a smear campaign launched by pro-government media in Serbia, indirectly prompting his move abroad.

Roddick highly commended Djokovic’s decision. “I deeply respect Novak because when he publicly stands for his beliefs, he does so with genuine conviction,” Roddick said, noting that Djokovic’s courage to “completely change everything” for his faith was key to breaking Federer and Nadal’s dominance and maintaining his place at the top of tennis for so long. “When everyone thought Federer and Nadal were unbeatable, Novak believed otherwise and ultimately rewrote history,” Roddick reflected. Despite some controversy surrounding Djokovic’s choices, his consistency between words and actions and his willingness to face challenges earn him universal respect.

In Roddick’s view, Djokovic’s status in Serbia is comparable to Pelé’s in Brazil or Jordan’s in the United States.

“He is the greatest sports icon in the country’s history, creating a new tennis legacy for Serbia and deeply shaping its sports culture.” What moves Roddick most is Djokovic’s unwavering loyalty to his homeland; even late in his career, he has never missed representing Serbia in events like the Olympics and Davis Cup — “At his age, no one would blame him for skipping the Davis Cup for a decade, but he has always stayed committed.”

Regarding Djokovic’s future, Roddick admitted, “No one knows how close he is to retirement, but it’s clearly approaching the sunset of his career.” Choosing to move his entire family and adapt to a new environment at this stage highlights the importance of his beliefs. “He knows this decision is controversial, yet he’s willing to pay the price for his convictions, which is truly admirable.”

Now, Djokovic continues his tennis journey in Greece, and his complex relationship with his homeland, along with his steadfast “actions that embody belief,” has become another poignant chapter in the career of this legendary athlete.

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