"American women have a fair amount of upside": Roddick excited to watch Gauff and Pegula at Roland Garros

Retired American tennis player Andy Roddick believes compatriots Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will shine brightly at the upcoming Roland Garros tournament, which is scheduled to run from May 28-June 11, 2023.

With several American women set to compete at this year's event, Roddick is of the opinion that there are quite a few who could pull off upsets in Paris. Topping the list is Gauff, who reached last year's final before falling to the red-hot Iga Swiatek.

Read also

Gauff pays tribute after passing of NFL legend Jim Brown

Roddick also mentioned Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens, with the former reaching the semifinals at the 2018 event whereas Stephens was crowned winner at the clay courts of Saint-Malo in France. Jessica Pegula was also lauded by Roddick, due to the top-ranked American's persistent performance during the 2023 season.

"As I was thinking through this on the American women’s side, I am going, wait a minute, we have three players who have been active, who have been in the finals of this slam with Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin with the big win over Aryna Sabalenka, Sloane Stephens made the finals," said Roddick.

Read also

2023 French Open Roland Garros WTA Entry List including Swiatek, Sabalenka, Pegula, Jabeur, Garcia, Gauff, Rybakina (Update 22-05)

"Madison Keys made the semi-final at Roland Garros. And all of those are not the most reliable picks that we have week-in and week-out, and that’s Jess Pegula. So American women have a fair amount of upside. It’s going to be fun to watch."