How would an athlete dream of themselves to be at 37 years of age? Mostly retired, or looking at the sunset of their career. However, there can be some exceptions, like Novak Djokovic, who is standing on a high wall with 24 Grand Slam titles, and Olympics Gold in front of the young and the best tennis players in the world. Moreover, the end seems nowhere near for the Serbian Ace. And Andy Roddick certainly knows how special this year has been for Djokovic. But that doesn’t stop him from calling him selfish.

Djokovic was the only ‘Big 3’ who had never played an Olympics final before the 2024 Paris Olympics. And everyone in the tennis circuit knew his aim this year, even his rival from past years, Roddick. Djokovic not only wanted to play the final at the quadrennial event, he wanted to win it. Lo-and-behold the Serbian ace has the gold medal around his neck as he dances in front of the whole Serbia and the world. And Roddick knows that how big of the feat it is for Djokovic to snatch the gold from Carlos Alcaraz.

During his podcast, Served with Andy Roddick on 13 August, the American tennis legend raved about his Gold. The 2003 US Open champion said, “Novak winning gold! It’s just not normal to go into an event that you deem the most important of your year. At this point in your career, probably the most important event that you have left in your career, it’s the only thing you don’t have.” Djokovic was an underdog at the Paris Olympics, with a lot of fitness issues and losses. And an age when athletes are thinking of retirement, the 24- time Grand Slam champion was thinking of winning the elusive gold.

This was not all. While people questioned his tennis, he had his target set for this year. “I knew this might be the last chance for me to win the gold”– Djokovic had said. Rightly so, he may be a fit person at 37, but 41 years certainly seems a big number in a sport that is physically and mentally demanding. However, for Roddick, Djokovic was “Selfish” in his quest, though jokingly, but he couldn’t be more right.

Djokovic went into surgery, hurried his recovery, played Wimbledon final, and was on the Clay court to win the Gold. And being selfish awarded the Serbian Ace, defeated the favorite, who is considered the best tennis player today, Alcaraz on his favored surface.

The Serbian Ace did everything with an eagle-eyed focus on the title, which had evaded him for the last 16 years. ‘When dreams are huge, then you have to be selfish to achieve them’- is the common saying among young athletes, which becomes more ingrained with time. Djokovic may not be the most loved and celebrated player in the circuit. But he ensured that he was the most decorated tennis player ever!

Mathematics to rescue: Roddick in awe of Djokovic’s tennis resume

“You know, people are like Novak needs singles gold. I’m like no he just wants gold because he doesn’t have it,” said Roddick before the Paris Olympics for Djokovic. Everyone was aware of Djokovic’s insane quest, though only a few would have believed. And here we are now, appreciating Djokovic walking his talk. But Roddick had to leverage math when he said that Djokovic’s tennis resume was at the top. Because when one ‘Big 3’ is appreciated, the fans of the other two make sure to highlight their greatness!

Roddick attested to Djokovic’s greatness as he said, “You have the greatness of Novak, which is there, it’s signed, sealed, delivered, I put it very simply if you had three resumes, his is probably the one you choose, anything else is what you like better, stylistically, what they meant to the game, those are all side conversations, the math is pretty specific on one.”

Djokovic’s tennis journey has been intriguing, from being hated to most decorated. From trying to please the crowd to standing in front of them for himself. From 0 to 24 Grand Slams and 2 Olympic medals, he is one of the greatest today as he dances with his country.