Been looking forward to this one since the draw came out

They deserve each other.

Agreed with JohnnyM. Unfortunately I think the off-the-court drama is not going to materialize into anything, but the on-the-court fireworks could be explosive.

There's no question that Djokovic is the favorite, but I think if Andy plays well he's got a real chance. Especially after what happened at the US Open, I'd love to see Roddick move into the semis. GO ANDY!

Agree with trebor1673 if Andy is on fire, he can take it. I just hope he shuts his big mouth this time before the match!

ajde Nole!!!

the serbotards must be creaming already . roddick is worthless outside of his serve with nothing to hurt djokofabitch from the back of the court or anywhere else.

@ trixxyfest . You are right fool , smalldick will fall down. LOL

And I must say , only bitch and retard are you.

GO NOLE !

Wishing Nole all the best against Rodick! We all know he is going to need a lot of luck, mental and physical composure, ability to get into his game, execute his game plan and make his shots. I really want him to win this one and shut up all the American hype about how "Renewed Rodick" will defeat Novak Djokovic", because this will be Rodick's pay back for what happened at the US Open. Of course we all remember that incident. On the other hand, time for Nole to make a statement. So far, he managed to slowly increase his level of play just enough to make it happen and win. Realistically he has not shown his "A game" and I really hope tonight he will prove a point and make a statement. It's Showtime!

disgraceful to the tournament that this match wasn't Roddick vs. Baghdatis instead of Roddick vs. Djokovic

even I overestimated Djokovic. It was easy to predict Roddick was going to win the match even before it started and even if Djokovic was physically fit, but I didn't think it was going to be that easy.

prickmatrac

How do you feel now?

Congratulations to Andy he managed to deliever. Djokovic has to deal with all sorts of issues and health is the number one priority. He is not fit and was not physically prepared for this tournament. I am a Djokovic fan, but I am a fan of the game primarily and believe in fairness. The better man won tonight and that was Andy Rodick! Hats off! Finally a chance for Andy to play in a GS semi and I wish him the best of luck!

Nole did look out of sorts the very moment he set foot onto court and it was clear that he was struggling with the physical aspect of the game. Still, I'm saddened to see him retire because I thought he stood a great chance of defending AO. But Roddick was supreme today regardless and he deserved the spot in the semis.

I hope Novak will rest up and come back with a bang for the rest of the season.

Roddick did play well, but this is a HUGE minus for organizeres. They did not close the roof on such heat and schelduled his match during the day instead of night session. He was defending champion. Anyway congratulations to Andy.

Hey you disgusting, hypocrite, and ugly hyenas, I feel sick of you, such a bad creatures in one place, I'll tell you what, all this was strategically fabricated, AO organizers put Nole purposely to play at 3 p.m., temperature was over 40 degree, he had tough match with Baghdatis late at night, I new it, it would happen like this, cause Nole is very sensitive guy who has astma problem, in first set, Nole has shown all of his magnificent, elegant, incredible and beautiful tennis, and fact is, Novak is great in comparison with that big mouth American guy, who's playing such an ugly and boring tennis, he looks like carpenter, without his aces, he'd be lost, cause he doesn't know how to play with manners, elegantly, gently, anyway, if they put Nole in the evening, he would crash him, but someone didn't want that happen, never mind, Nole's health is most important, his mission has finished here and it's not bad at all, he's not gladiator and machine, he needs normal condition like everyone, what organizers are doing it's against human nature, several players gave up for the same reason,
Finally, do not put your sick, selfish and insulting 'comments', nobody needs that, and give our Nole a break, put your accent on the others, now you can do it, cause there is no more Nole to put his finger in your eye.
Dearest Nole, take a break and rest yourself, it's not as bad as many bad people think it is, simply, keep going my sweet heart, many of them were against you, but you won, for us, you're moral winner, next tournament is waiting for you, where they might provide normal conditions for the players.
Love you with all my heart, Serbia is always with you, cause you're our national icon, you're world star...

RickyDimon would you be so kind to explan your quote "disgraceful to the tournament that this match wasn't Roddick vs. Baghdatis instead of Roddick vs. Djokovic".

zikili, now you can find out what's going on over here, you shouldn't be such a polite and ask him to be SO KIND, he's not, that's why, I have to be on the same level as they are, and finally, who cares about his stupid comments, it's worthless, regards for you...

I think Roddcik also was playing at the same inhuman conditions ... ROFL!!!

gordana, you love Nole, we get it. There's no need for you to trash everyone else in the world from Andy Roddick to the tournament organisers to everyone on this site just because Novak had to retire. I respect Novak and admire his game and I felt bad that AO had to end this way for him, but I do not think Novak would want his fans to go around and using horrible words to insult everyone else for the reason of defending him. You do not like people insulting Novak so why is it okay for you trash everyone else?

Also, everyone's comments on this article has been largely positive towards Novak with the exception of trixxyfest (who is a known Novak hater so whatever) and RickyDimon's who was passingly negative, so what's the deal with calling everyone that commented "ugly and disgusting hyenas"? That's hardly fair or appropriate and Novak isn't a sore loser, so why are you one?

Being a champion requires you to play weeks long sometimes under different conditions depending on where you are playing , the heat , the clay, the shadows, the lights, fast courts, tough opponents, late nights etc . It is tough but thats what it takes. However the AO organisers need to take some flak for scheduling.Late starts, crazy long nights are very usual. It all started when they gave the everning match to Tomic instead of Novak that got the schedule out of whack.

I didn't which Gordana saw, but the first set wasn't great from Novak either. He hit a lot of winners, but also sprayed a lot of unforced errors. He raised his game in the tiebreak to capture the first.

But after the loss of the second set, you just saw him deflate physically and mentally. Roddick was just the fitter en stronger guy today. This is the fourth time I saw Djokovic give up. RG, Wimbledon and Monte Carlo were the other occasions.

Makes me wonder if he's done enough throughout the off-season in terms of fitness.

Gordana, I do not level myself with people who are haters. I am proud that I am Serb, and Nole fan. Future shall bring us answers to some questions. Do not bother yourself to fight with them. By the way, yesterday when Murray lost I went to eurosport site. One day he was king, the moment he lost he was the worst tennis player in the world. All around the world you have people who are negative, rude and stupid. Do not bother. Novak shall bring us many happy moments in the future. I AM SURE. But, I really do mind the behaviour of writers or so called "tennis experts" on this site. They should try to be objective. I am off this site, tennis.com is much more normal and real tennis fans are there.

jyanis, with nice and polite people like you, I'm more than kind, cause you deserve that, and I haven't said, everyone, of course not, never, the special group of people over here is considered, if you follow the articles and their comments, you'll find out, what I'm talking about, they're really hyenas, and Novak don't have anything with my comments at all, there are too many people who're supporting him, but doesn't mean, some sick participants over here, has right to spit on him, I'll never let them doing that, finally, Novak can't be loser, he's number 3 and he'll stay at this positon, regarding myself, I'll tell you the same thing, no loser at all, just trying to be real, not offensive with nice people, like you are, (it seems to me), but with biased folks, I have to be like that, cause they understand only bad language, insulting even Serbia and Serbs generally, I'm sorry, not acceptable.
Take care, regards...

I think Novak gave up too quickly. He always does this. I think he concentrates too much. He needs to relax a lil bit but I guess it's part of his game. I think it will be Fed VS Nadal final unless Juan Martin Del Porto do something about it.

Roddick and Djokovic audio grabs available in the media archive

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/media/audio

gordana, I know who you mean and what sort of comments, I know they are really hateful and horrible and have no basis whatsoever, but I really hope you will not stoop their level and be one level above them.

Novak is of course not a loser, this one match, one slam does not mean that, he is the world #3 for a good reason, which is that he plays damn good tennis, and he is young and has his whole career in front of him. And of course you as a Serbian are proud of him and rightfully you should be.

I guess what I'm trying to say is really not to fall into the traps of people who WANTS to see you upset. :)

jyanis, now, I'll admit to you, I've start crying, your comment is really very nice, touchable, full of positive vibration, usually, I don't like sharing my emotions with others, especially not here, but you made cry, thank you very much indeed, anyway, I'm completely lost today, cause Novak is not very well, I am sympathized with him, and such a support and nice words from you, make me thinking, there are well educated people, polite and kind, I appreciate, all the best to you...

hello no one will change the schedule for ur serbian...every match timing is fixed and the player got to play...every player has to play a day match n a night match alternatively.......

and the temperature was 35 and not 40..and plz try to be rational....don be so one sided....no one wud purposefully make ur novak play under the sun....the schedule was like that and the player got to follow it...thats it....and even fedex played a 5 setter against berdych in the same conditions....

Gordana, I respect your devotion for Nole, but what I don't respect is your unprofessionalism. How can you trash everybody? Why don't you think before you write/speak? Get a reality check! You need to realize how erratic you are. I am a Nole fan and will always be a Nole fan no matter what! The fact that I don't trash everybody here when I post has nothing to do with you being a more devoted fan. I believe you are an excellent, caring person; therefore, don't post like comments like that it's just not good and you portray a negative image not only for yourself, but for Nole and all the other Nole fans all over the world. Bottom-line: Nole has issues! Health and physical fitness is on top of the list. He is young and if he wants to stay on top he will have to find solutions. Let's put it to rest!

I think the Serbian people just have inferiority complex.Why would the AO organizers be against Djokovic,who is the tournament's defending champion? What I don't understand is why Novak became such a fan of night matches all of a sudden? Just two days ago,after Baghdatis match,he was calling an end to night matches? Then,why is he complaining now about it?

^^^ I do not intend to join in the lovely conversation but seriously why will Serbian people have an inferiority complex? The comment on which you reacted was just an emotional outburst from a fan who's very disappointed about what happened today..it dosent equate to anything..we're normal people and we all go through these highs and lows..Im sure what was said wasnt intentional.
On a topic-related note..Regardless of how the match was won Roddick was a deserving victor.

It's clear that arailic - for one - does not have an inferiority complex.

gordana plz shut ur mouth and get the hell out of here....accept the truth....and u were talking abt federer's retirement....u silly ......y shud he retire..just tell me one reason....and ur novak making excuses for his loss...i know this sentence wud kill u .....so same was d case wid fedex prev...when he said he was suffering from garndular fever..u considerd it as an excuse....and now u r so pity for ur djoker...be human u inhuman......

prev nole was calling an end to night matches? Then,why is he complaining now about it?....so is that an excuse or not????????????

u pathetic weed over here....plz next time when u post some thing make sure u r aware of ur senses.....

@remi

How do you feel now?

i feel good as i expected Novak was going to lose. you can confirm that in one of my comments on Baghdatis article.

keep up the good gloating.

Listen guys; this is my bit of reasoning:

1. Roddick was the far better player today. He hit some amazing passing shots and serves along the way. Novak was nowhere close to his best.

2. I almost predicted the medical timeout during the 3rd set when I saw Djokovic struggling with his serve. This seemed to incense Roddick noting by how he served double faults in the next game.

3. The heat was the same for both players. Federer played in only slightly worse conditions the other day and he hung tough. Roddick was playing in the same conditions more importantly. When you're the defending champion and World no. 3, you have to play regardless of what the conditions are. I have played seen Juniors play in much worse conditions.

4. Djokovic was being beaten well and truly by the better player, but so was Federer two days ago. He hung in there and won. Of course, Roddick is not going to crumble like Berdych did, but given that you're defending champion, can't you continue to play hoping his level will drop?

5. Federer did suffer from mild glandular fever, but he never retired. Murray and Sampras have won matches throwing up. Nadal has been playing with sore knees for 1 and a half years. Novak wants to be no.1? I think he should stop having verbal rivalries with guys like Fed and should follow there example.

6. Federer's comments and slights on others have ticked me off in the past; but his interview today was spot on. To me, it almost seemed as if Federer was speaking in such a tone that he was advising Djokovic.

7. I am still a Novak fan, I've liked him too much to be otherwise. I have lost a little respect for him however, and I feel that his behaviour was disgusting. I still will root for him in the future.

I don't see anything wrong with retiring when your blood pressure is 150/110 and you are pale like a ghost. It seems like someone has to colapse and die in order to be taken seriously. Novak is known for having problems with extreme heat and breathing and yet, the shameful organisers let the defending champion play four out of five matches during the day. On the other side, Federer was granted four out of five to play at night. Both asked to be scheduled at night. Novak was refused even though he had more than half a day less time to rest than Federer. For some ridiculous reason, Hisense arena is not used at night and that bloody roof that is meant to protect humans against extreme conditions was never moved. Well it was, for Dokic's night match! Defending champion? They simply didn't let him defend it.

keep up the good gloating? Yeah I will don't worry. You do too ya hear, because those were your words to CM! One of those who can dish it out but can't take it.

it's not my style, but if someone abuses this site so confidently to brainwash us with Murray in a mark it down style, yea I'll do it dude.

Samprallica, I absolutely agree with you. I just want to add that the previous notion of the current field being better than Fed's batch of Hewitt, Roddick, Safin and Nalbandian has been thrown in doubt during this Aussie Open. Murray and Djokovic crumbled under pressure and Djokovic got beaten by A-Rod who is from Fed's batch and Murray got beaten by a player who is not top 10. Berdych and Del Potro who are from the new generation got beaten by Fed although Berdych definitely showed how immensely talented he is. Unless someone stops Nadal and Fed in the next couple of days it is going to be the same story as it is for the last 4 years now where it is Fed-Nadal duopoly of the game and next is the French Open where Nadal's to lose so we are not seeing a massive change in the game yet as claimed by some. Fed's is now in his 19th consecutive semi-final and if Nadal goes to the semis it would be his 5th consecutive semi. It has always been Nadal and Fed.