As the red clay of Roland Garros looms on the horizon, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has made a surprising yet calculated decision to accept a wildcard entry into the ATP 250 Gonet Geneva Open, set for May 18–24, 2025. The move, a departure from his usual pre-Grand Slam routine, has sparked intrigue across the tennis world, with former world No. 1 Andy Roddick offering a ringing endorsement on his “Served with Andy Roddick” podcast. Roddick, a 2003 US Open champion, sees Djokovic’s choice as a masterstroke to rediscover his rhythm after a rocky clay-court season, warning rivals not to underestimate the Serbian’s ability to “find his legs” just in time for the French Open.
Djokovic’s 2025 has been uncharacteristically turbulent. With no titles and a 12-5 record—his worst start as world No. 1 since 2006—he has faced unexpected setbacks, including a third-round loss to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo and a first-round defeat to Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid. These results, coupled with his decision to skip the Italian Open after an accidental head injury from a falling water bottle, have raised questions about his form. Historically, Djokovic has thrived with minimal tournament play before majors, relying on practice to sharpen his game. However, this year’s struggles prompted a rare pivot. “Novak taking a wildcard into Geneva is the right call,” Roddick declared, admitting, “I get everything wrong about Novak every time.” He pointed to Djokovic’s lackluster movement in Monte Carlo and Madrid, where he appeared “stretched and exposed,” suggesting the Geneva matches will provide critical “reps” to rebuild confidence.
The Geneva Open, a tournament Djokovic last played in 2024, reaching the semifinals, offers a chance to fine-tune his clay-court game against a field including Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton. Roddick emphasized the importance of match play over practice, noting, “You can feel great in practice, you can’t mimic that.” For Djokovic, who celebrated his 1,100th ATP Tour victory in Geneva last year against Yannick Hanfmann, the event is a low-stakes opportunity to chase his 100th career title and close the gap on Roger Federer’s record of 103. “I’m guessing they just went and done a tonne of legwork, a tonne of 2-on-1s,” Roddick speculated, envisioning Djokovic’s team focusing on fundamentals to restore his trademark footwork, which he shares with Rafael Nadal as a cornerstone of elite clay-court play.
Djokovic’s decision echoes his 2021 strategy, when he played the Belgrade Open the week before Roland Garros, defeating Rafael Nadal en route to his second French Open title. That precedent fuels optimism, though Roddick cautioned that Djokovic’s current form is “concerning.” At 37, with a history of defying expectations—winning the 2024 Olympic gold and reaching the 2025 Australian Open semifinals despite a hamstring tear—Djokovic remains a enigma. “He has so many data points of his gut paying off—outwitting biology and time,” Roddick said, citing Djokovic’s ability to peak when it matters most. The Geneva wildcard, Roddick argues, is less about desperation and more about a veteran’s intuition to “find something” before defending his French Open crown.
The move has delighted Geneva organizers, who benefit from hosting the world No. 6 “for free,” as Roddick quipped. It also positions Djokovic to climb into the ATP top four, avoiding early clashes with Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros. Critics, however, question the risk of fatigue, especially after Djokovic’s recent coaching split with Andy Murray, who guided him to the Miami Open final. Roddick downplayed the need for a new coach, humorously noting, “Our cats could coach Novak,” given his vast experience. For Djokovic, motivation and physical readiness are key: “If his legs are beneath him, he is dangerous.”
As the tennis world watches, Djokovic’s Geneva gamble could redefine his 2025 narrative. Will he rediscover the form that made him the oldest French Open champion in 2023? Or will the clay season’s challenges persist? Roddick’s faith in Djokovic’s resilience offers a compelling lens: “Novak is the master, along with Rafa, at using your legs to find your best tennis.” With the French Open starting May 25, Geneva may be the spark that reignites the Serbian’s pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam.
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