Isner believes Roddick's work ethic and fighting spirit brought him success: "He was an absolute bulldog"
ATP
John Isner
highlighted Andy Roddick's strong efforts to become world No. 1 in a press
conference at US Open
The
38-year-old American will play his final tournament as a professional at the
2023 US Open in front of his home crowd. Isner is concluding a 17-year career
that has garnered significant media attention due to his impressive
accomplishments.
During a
press conference, Isner expressed his admiration for Andy Roddick and the
passion he had throughout his career, which, as he mentioned, strongly
influenced his development as a professional:
"I
think just how hard he worked. I think he would admit, obviously he was
talented, but I don't think he was the most talented guy, by any means, but he
was an absolutely bulldog on the court, of course, but off the court in how he
trained, how he took care of himself. One of the hardest workers I think this
sport has ever seen," former world No. 8 said in a press conference.
Read also
"When
I'm in college or high school, seeing him win the US Open, then come on tour
with him, see how hard he worked, it definitely showed me that I had a long way
to go just to try to match him because he was at the top of the top 10 forever,
top 5 for a long time, too," Isner added.
“He just
worked his ass off each and every day. Just watching that for me was very
inspiring. If I wanted to be a top professional, I knew I had to at least try
to do what he does," Isner concluded
On the
other hand, Isner spoke about the 20 years that the American men's tennis has
gone without winning the US Open title, with the last one being Andy Roddick
himself. However, Isner expressed his belief that the negative streak could
come to an end soon:
"I
think American men's tennis is in a very good spot right now. I mean, who
knows. Like, that could keep going because the No. 1 player is pretty good and
very young.
“We have a
lot of players that can definitely challenge for that Grand Slam,"
"I mean, heck,
Frances was a set away from being in the finals last year, so... Just need
things to fall into place for you throughout the course of two weeks. It's
definitely possible. But we're in a good spot right now, I think,"
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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