Roddick Questions Novak Djokovic’s 2028 Olympics Retirement Dream But Calls Statement “Brilliant”

Novak Djokovic’s recent declaration about retiring at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with the Serbian flag raised eyebrows—particularly Andy Roddick’s. The former US Open champion sees the statement as more than a career timeline; it’s a masterful political move amid mounting tensions with Serbia’s government.

Novak Djokovic Retirement Declaration

After claiming his 101st career title at the Hellenic Championship in Athens, Djokovic hinted at his endgame. “Since I’ve achieved absolutely all possible goals, I said about the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for so many more years. So maybe ending up at the Olympic Games with the Serbian flag, that would be nice,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion stated.

Roddick wasn’t buying it—at least not the timeline. “I don’t think so. I hope I’m wrong,” the 2003 US Open winner said on his “Served” podcast, questioning whether the 38-year-old would realistically maintain form until age 41.

Djokovic’s Current Situation: Overview

The Political Genius Behind the Words

What Roddick recognized was the calculated brilliance of Djokovic’s statement. “Him saying ‘I want to retire at the 2028 Olympics with a Serbian flag in my hand’ was the perfect way to address many, many issues that are going on right now,” he explained.

The statement accomplished multiple objectives simultaneously. It deflected retirement questions while declaring unwavering loyalty to Serbia—crucial given the political firestorm engulfing the tennis icon back home.

“This was a really smart way to say my heart is with Serbia and I want to retire with the Serbian flag in my hand,” Roddick added, with tennis journalist Jon Wertheim calling it a “brilliant bit of political strategy.”

The Political Storm in Serbia

Djokovic’s relocation to Greece wasn’t just about Mediterranean weather and lifestyle. After publicly supporting student-led protests following the tragic Novi Sad train station collapse that killed 16 people, the tennis legend faced unprecedented backlash from pro-government Serbian media.

He posted on social media in December 2024: “As someone who deeply believes in the power of young people and their desire for a better future, I believe it’s important that their voices are heard.”

That message—along with wearing “Students are Champions” apparel and dedicating victories to protesters—made him a target. State media branded him a “false patriot” and accused him of supporting foreign-backed revolution.

Greece as Sanctuary

By September 2025, Djokovic had officially relocated his family to Athens through Greece’s Golden Visa program. Speaking to CNN Greece, he emphasized cultural and historical ties between the nations while carefully avoiding direct political commentary.

“There is a lot of historical, religious, cultural, social ties between Greece and Serbia,” he told reporters. “The Greek and Serbian people are like brothers, so this is the biggest reason.”

His ATP 250 Serbia Open tournament has now relocated to Athens as the Hellenic Championship—a symbolic shift reflecting his new reality.

Roddick’s Respect for Conviction

Despite doubting the 2028 timeline, Roddick expressed genuine admiration for Djokovic’s principled stance. “I like it, I enjoy it and I’m getting paid $100 million a year. Oh and by the way, I made the semis of four Slams this year,” he said, paraphrasing Djokovic’s implicit message to critics questioning his motivation.

The American emphasized that few athletes would uproot their entire family over political beliefs so late in their careers. “He will move to Greece because of his belief system and uproot everything. So you have to respect that one way or the other,” Roddick observed.

What’s Really at Stake

President Aleksandar Vučić has remained publicly respectful, stating: “I will never say a bad word against him. He can support my opponents, but I will always cheer for him with all my heart.”

Yet the damage appears done. Serbia’s greatest sporting ambassador—the man who united the nation with his Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024—now lives elsewhere, planning tennis academies in Athens rather than Belgrade.

For comprehensive coverage of Djokovic’s career moves and ATP Tour updates, follow our latest reports.

The 2028 Question Mark

Whether Djokovic genuinely plans to compete until 2028 or simply needed the perfect sound bite remains unclear. He recently withdrew from the ATP Finals citing a shoulder injury, and his 2025 Grand Slam drought—four semifinal exits without a title—suggests the decline may be beginning.

But if the statement bought him goodwill in Serbia while maintaining competitive flexibility, Roddick’s right: it was politically brilliant.

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