"People would get bent out of shape… and I’m like, ‘Asshole, I have to stay till 2:30. I need my body tomorrow": Andy Roddick on post match media expectation
ATP
Andy Roddick opened his post-season Q&A episode of Served by diving straight into what fascinates fans the most: athleticism, pressure, and what truly separates tennis from any other sport. The former world No. 1 answered questions in the latest episode of his podcast, which included a question from none other than the singer John Legend.
“After seeing Sinner and Alcaraz have that epic five-plus hour French Open final, I texted a friend saying I think these are the most impressive athletes in the world,” he said. “Do you still think tennis players are the most impressive athletes?"
Reflecting on the marathon Roland Garros final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Roddick put it, “I still think tennis players are the best athletes in the world,” the 2003 US Open champion said. “I think the physicality, the well-rounded nature of what you have to be—you can't just be strong. You have to have the endurance, the motor skills, and the ability to get on a plane and recover and do all of those things.”
When asked which athletes could rival tennis players, Roddick praised the complexity of sports such as basketball and soccer while noting the narrow skill specialisation in baseball. But his message remained clear: tennis requires completeness. “You can't just be strong. You have to have the endurance, the motor skills, and the ability to get on a plane and recover,” he said.
Recovery and the brutal post-match reality
Post-match recovery, Roddick explained, was never negotiable—especially during late-night runs at the US Open. He broke down the sequence with blunt clarity: stretch immediately, hydrate, find ice, and force down food even when your stomach rebels. “The part I hated the most was having to eat within 20 minutes,” he said. “Dougie Spring, my trainer—legend—would come with this gross, foamy smoothie. I hated eating immediately after matches… but you have to do it.”
What fans don’t see, Roddick emphasised, is that media obligations were never allowed to interfere with the body’s needs. He dismissed the idea that players should rush to satisfy journalist schedules. “Press never dictated the routine after the match; recovery always dictated when you did press,” he said. “People would get bent out of shape… and I’m like, ‘Asshole, I have to stay till 2:30. I need my body tomorrow.’”
Sports betting & player safety: The hidden threat
Roddick was equally direct when discussing sports betting and the growing danger it poses to players, especially with the rise of micro-bets. He praised Major League Baseball for eliminating small-sample wagers and urged tennis to follow. “Stop these one-pitch bets. Stop these one-serve bets,” he said. “When you have these micro-bets… the smaller the sample size an athlete can ‘throw’ something, the more likely you are to get bad behavior.”
He warned that modern betting culture makes athletes more vulnerable than ever, especially with social media giving angry gamblers instant access. “Anyone betting a significant amount of money on one serve isn’t going to care about your feelings,” he said. Roddick also condemned the warped mentality around gambling losses: “Isn't it amazing how bettors think? When they win, it's ‘I am a great gambler.’ When they lose, it’s ‘That player sucks.’”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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