Andy Roddick Blasts "Dumb" Criticism of Novak Djokovic Following Miami Open Withdrawal

Andy Roddick labels criticism of Novak Djokovic’s Miami Open withdrawal as "dumb," defending the Serb’s decision to prioritize his family and health.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 7:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A Record-Holding Champion Prioritizes Health and Family

Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion who shares the record of six Miami Open titles with Andre Agassi, officially withdrew from the 2026 event on Sunday, citing a shoulder injury. The decision followed a three-set loss to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, marking a period of limited activity for the 38-year-old world number four. In 2025, Djokovic participated in only five of the nine available Masters 1000 events, a clear indicator of his shift toward a major-centric schedule.

Roddick Highlights the Contradiction in Fan Expectations

Speaking on his Served podcast, Andy Roddick expressed significant annoyance with the negative discourse surrounding Djokovic’s absence from Florida. Roddick pointed out a logical flaw in the public's perception: while fans often applaud Djokovic for prioritizing his children and career longevity, they react with frustration when he actually skips a tournament to fulfill those goals. According to Roddick, these two things are fundamentally the same conversation.

The "Macro vs. Micro" Strategy of Late-Career Tennis

Roddick explained that at this stage of his career, Djokovic has moved beyond chasing the top ranking or adding more Masters 1000 trophies to his collection. The "macro" goal is to remain healthy and competitive for Grand Slams while being present for his family. Roddick suggested that skipping two weeks of high-intensity training and competition in Miami is a necessary "micro-decision" to ensure he is ready for the upcoming clay-court season in Monte Carlo—a tournament where his family is likely to be present.