每个夏天都有一个问题：德约科维奇能再次赢得温布尔登吗？

Andy Roddick has once again focused on the eternal debate of modern tennis: who truly dominates the grass of Wimbledon and why Novak Djokovic remains, even with the passage of time, a serious threat to the 2026 title. In a recent conversation about the particularities of grass court play, Roddick developed a clear defense of Djokovic's candidacy, relying not on nostalgia but on the logic of the sport.

The former world number one starts from a key idea: grass does not reward the same type of tennis as clay or hard courts. While at Roland Garros physical rallies and topspin dominate the pace, at Wimbledon the margin for reaction is drastically reduced. According to Roddick, this difference completely transforms the circuit's hierarchies. "On grass, you can get out of tough situations by hitting the ball better than on any other surface," he points out in his analysis, emphasizing that the game is decided more on the first shot than on point construction.

In this context, Novak Djokovic's figure takes on special relevance. For Roddick, the Serbian embodies like few others what he calls "first-strike tennis": precision in returns, the ability to hit deep and neutralize the opponent's serve without the need for long exchanges. On grass, where the low bounce reduces reaction time, that ability is amplified. A solid return down the middle, Roddick explains, not only neutralizes the serve but also forces the opponent to play in a more direct and predictable manner, something Djokovic has perfected over the years.

Another element that Roddick emphasizes is the efficiency of movement on grass. Unlike on other surfaces where quick stops and lateral movements are constant, at Wimbledon often the best recourse is to follow the direction of the shot, moving half a step or even a full step ahead. Djokovic, with his elasticity and ability to adjust his body in milliseconds, fits perfectly into that pattern. It's not about running more, but about moving better and earlier.

Djokovic's return, crucial to understanding his Wimbledon candidacy

Roddick also dispels the myth that grass favors only big servers. Although the serve remains important, the modern reality of the tournament shows that the best returners have gained prominence. In that sense, Djokovic not only competes but redefines the standard. His ability to return even difficult balls deep eliminates the opponent's time and turns each game into a duel of immediate execution.

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The conversation becomes even more relevant when the competitive context is introduced. With uncertainties about the form of players like Jannik Sinner and the ongoing generational transition, Roddick suggests that Djokovic can see the landscape clearly. Even without being in his most dominant physical shape, the Serbian can build a competitive narrative in his favor at Wimbledon.

In conclusion, Andy Roddick's defense is not sentimental but strategic. For him, Djokovic not only remains a candidate in 2026: he is, by the pure logic of grass, one of the most dangerous names in the tournament. On a surface where details weigh more than endurance, Novak Djokovic's tennis continues to fit too well to be overlooked.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La pregunta de cada verano: ¿puede Djokovic volver a ganar Wimbledon?