Andy Roddick Breaks His Silence on Honoring Novak Djokovic With the US Open Trophy as He Faces ‘Grumpy’ And Salty Allegations

The US Open authorities decided it was best to have an American champion hand the trophy to the 2023 winner. Since no American ATP professional has claimed the Flushing Meadows title in over two decades, Andy Roddick stepped in. After Novak Djokovic won the historic 24th Slam, Roddick did the honors. However, in an unexpected twist, the ‘Nole fam’ was irked at the body language of the American.

In the presentation, the duo exchanged a few words that seemed unpleasant to spectators. Soon, the Djoker’s fans started throwing harsh comments at Roddick as his demeanor portrayed him negatively. So, the American took a moment on Twitter to clarify the details of their conversation.

Andy Roddick reveals ‘controversial’ conversation with Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic’s fan base uncovered a buried feud between the Serb and the American when Djoker received his 24th Slam. In 2008, Roddick claimed that Djoker and he engaged in a brawl after the former professional accused the Serb of faking injuries. The American said he pinned the legend against the locker.

But the physique of the Serb’s trainer intimidated Roddick. The fight ended abruptly, and Djokovic won that US Open quarter-final despite the boos of the crowd. 15 years later, the scenario reversed as Roddick faced a similar fate at the hands of the then 22-year-old Serb. When the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s fan took a dig at Roddick on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter),  a tennis journalist asked the Flushing Meadows champion to clarify the issue.

Roddick wrote, ”I say that it was an honor to present the trophy. I know that I wouldn’t have been a lot of his fans’ first choice, but I’m the one that said yes and showed up. Am continually amazed by his accomplishments. In that scenario, my job is to sit back and not be noticed until my duty of handing the trophy over.” 

A user asked the former champion to reveal what he said to the Serbian legend while presenting the trophy, to which the tennis commentator obliged. Roddick shed light on the exchange that fueled a war of words on ‘X.’

Read More: Rising Above the Pin-Drop Silence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray Lauds Novak Djokovic After the Serbian’s Historic US Open Feat

The US Open champion left little to the imagination as he came clean

An X user extended his trust and confidence to Roddick, believing that the American had only positives to talk to the Serb. Nevertheless, the fan sought confirmation from the champion to which the 2003 US Open champion assured that the exchange was only positive. Roddick expressed that a section of Djoker’s fans created a furor over nothing spectacular.

The former World No. 1 asserted that the focus should be on Djokovic winning the 24th Slam instead of a petty sideshow. Regardless, the Serbian legend shall compete in the Australian Open for his 25th Slam. Djoker made it clear that he is not retiring anytime soon and would play tennis till the younger generation knocks him out.

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