"Some people are better on different surfaces" - Andy Roddick comes to Iga Swiatek's defense after Polish star fails to win hard court major

Former World No.1 Iga Swiatek has been lambasted for her inability to win another Grand Slam title on hard courts, prompting retired American pro Andy Roddick to fire back at critics.

The Polish star looked unstoppable as she cruised through the early rounds of the 2025 Australian Open. However, Swiatek's quest for her first Melbourne title came to an end in the semifinals at the hands of American Madison Keys, who would go on to lift the title.

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Swiatek's time on hard courts will come, says Roddick

In the latest episode of his Served With Andy Roddick podcast, the 2003 US Open champion fired back at critics who believe Swiatek does not have what it takes to be successful outside of the Frech Open. The Polish star has five Grand Slam titles to her name, with four coming in Paris and her sole non-clay Major at the 2022 US Open.

"I don’t wanna hear your chirping about clay versus hard versus anything else," began Roddick. "Iga is gonna win a handful of Grand Slams on surfaces that aren’t clay. She just will, she’s 23.
"Oh, by the way, while she’s trying to figure that out, she’s gonna win like five French Opens. So save it, everyone’s better on one surface. It doesn’t mean that the Grand Slams count any less. So save that s**t. You can have that.
“And save it, just because she’s not as good on a hard court as she is on a clay court, doesn’t mean she isn’t good on hard courts. Where does that leave her on the all-time count? Save it. Some people are better on different surfaces."

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