Andy Roddick shares intimidation factor on-court is behind aura of World No.1 Iga Swiatek

World No.1 Iga Swiatek has been the player to beat over the last year on the WTA circuit, and her success could be attributed to her intimidating aura, says retired American pro Andy Roddick.

Swiatek has had an excellent start to the 2024 season, compiling a 22-3 record and winning two titles at WTA 1000 events in Doha and Indian Wells. The four-time Grand Slam champion saw her hopes of winning the Sunshine Double for the second time dissipate with a round of 16 defeat to Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Miami Open earlier this week. Nonetheless, Swiatek still holds a healthy lead over Aryna Sabalenka on the WTA Rankings table.

In a conversation with journalist John Wertheim on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the former World No.1 was asked if Swiatek's aura played a role in her dominating the tour over the last few years.

“I think aura is this catch-all word which, in fact, we’re talking about accomplishment," replied Roddick. "The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her. Not because she walks in the locker room and everyone moves out of the way to create a line. Everyone goes about their business, when you’re on the court, you’re confronted with what they’re presenting as a player and that is the intimidating thing.
“It’s one of these things that, like, I think fans use a lot. I think some journalists use a lot. Michael Jordan is like, ‘I will flip a switch!’ No, if you’re an athlete, you’d choose to play well all the time. That’s the point. It’s not as if we’re ever out there one time in my entire life and I’ve been in the first round of Miami and I’m playing great, ‘Maybe if I play worse now, I’ll play better later,’ like that’s not a f***ing thing.
“So aura is not a halo around someone’s head. The aura comes with knowing that you have to change your style of play, and that is intimidating in its own way. It’s the adjustments that you have to make."