"Embarrassing how far ahead the Big-3 are" - Fans agree with Andy Roddick's comment praising Novak Djokovic's 'absurd' Wimbledon run amid surgery

Novak Djokovic reached the final of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships just weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Andy Roddick called the feat 'absurd' and commended the Serb. Meanwhile, fans highlighted that the 'Big 3' of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have always been this impressive.

The Serb injured his knee during the 2024 French Open and withdrew from the Paris Slam before the quarterfinal. Early in June, Djokovic underwent surgery and did not have the luxury of a long recovery period if he wanted to play at SW19.

The 37-year-old managed to complete his recovery in a short period and played impressively to reach the final. On his "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, Roddick said that although the Serb lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final, reaching the final was 'absurd'.

“It is absurd that Novak was able to make the finals of this event. Surgery, no fitness, not a lot of tennis, no matches. Finals at Wimbledon,” Roddick said.

Roddick's comments were posted on Reddit and fans complimented Djokovic's level. They also mentioned the seeming disparity between the 'Big 3' and the rest of the players.

"Kinda absurd he was even able to make it to round 1..." one fan wrote.

"Ofc its absurd, but its a testament to Novak that we don't find it that very surprising. Sure [Taylor] Fritz had a very similar recovery time but to do that at Novak's age??? Knowing he'll change back to clay for Olympics, one of major goals for this year??? And still taking the chance to play Wimbledon...," another added.

"Just shows you how far ahead of the pack the big 3 are/were. Djokovic reached the final weeks after surgery without breaking a sweat. Federer turned up in 2021 and reached the quarters despite hardly being able to move," a fan recalled.

Here are some more reactions to Roddick's praise for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

"It's kinda embarrassing how far ahead the big 3 are against the rest. Why is that? Is it a financial one where the big 3 just had the best trainers and training conditions for so long that nobody can come close to competing? It's weird," one fan pondered.

"I tore my meniscus 15 years ago and I still haven't recovered...," another fan wrote.

"...Novak had surgery like 40 days ago… and he still made the finals. That is absolutely insane...," wrote yet another.

---

Andy Roddick on Novak Djokovic's preparation before Wimbledon final run

Novak Djokovic at The Championships - Wimbledon 2024. (Source: GETTY)

Following his claim that Novak Djokovic's run to the Wimbledon final this year was 'absurd', Andy Roddick mentioned how the Serb's preparation for the Slam was just him trying to get healthy to play each successive round.

“Gave yourself a look at the basket. Props to him. Novak had no reps, no fitness, all he was trying to do was get healthy enough to play his first round and then after that, healthy enough to play second round, so on and so forth,” Roddick said during his podcast.

The former American player, however, went on to mention that Carlos Alcaraz 'exposed' the Serb in the final. He believes that the Spaniard kept a high pace throughout the match and did not let the Serb settle. Eventually, Alcaraz won the match 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4).