Novak Djokovic will face German Yannick Hanfmann in the second round of the Geneva Open.

But American legend Andy Roddick admits the move is shocking, as the Serbian is always known to be fresh before Major and Masters events in recent years.

However, the last time Djokovic played in a tournament a week before Roland Garros was at the Belgrade Open ATP 250. The 36-year-old claimed the title and went on to win his second Roland Garros two weeks later.

However, Djokovic would be the most unlikely player to compete at the Geneva Open if not for the poor season.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has skipped several tournaments this season to concentrate on a few but, surprisingly, remains without a title. He began the clay season as a favorite after reaching the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters, but he eventually lost to Norwegian Casper Ruud.

He then skipped the Madrid Open to focus on the Italian Open, which he has won six times. But the Serbian could only record one win before losing to Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the third round of the tournament. He now has more to prove ahead of Roland Garros and has picked a last-minute wildcard for the Geneva Open, which Andy Roddick believes is shocking.

I like the move and I’m also shocked by it. You know, it’s strange because he has been so confident just entering the biggest tournaments in the world without a lot of prep work, right? He’s made a habit of that and been successful at it over the last three or four years. So, it definitely proves the point that we’ve been beating home all week that if something is different, you need matches — even the best of all time.

Andy Roddick said via Tennis Channel Live podcast

Meanwhile, Djokovic looks likely to lose his No. 1 position to Jannik Sinner if the Italian competes at the French Open. But Sinner’s hip injury may give Djokovic enough to make amends for his poor season.

Novak Djokovic to face Yannick Hanfmann in Geneva after Andy Murray loss

The anticipated dream match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at the Geneva Open will not happen. Murray, who returned from a serious ankle injury, fell to a disappointing loss to German Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets (7-5, 6-2), despite a thunderstorm during the second set.

Novak Djokovic via Imago
Djokovic would now face Hanfmann tomorrow in the second round of the ATP 250 tournament. Both are going to meet for the first time in the ATP head-to-head. But the German has only won 10 Tour-level matches this season.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is to use the Geneva Open as good preparation for his French Open title defense, which begins on May 26.