“We should focus on people who are actually struggling with being professional”: Andy Roddick defends Coco Gauff’s Oscars party appearance
WTA
Andy Roddick has defended Coco Gauff’s presence at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in Los Angeles. The 2023 US Open champion was one of the high-profile sports representatives at the event, where she also reunited with 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.
Criticism surfaced on social media regarding the world No. 3’s appearance at the event, particularly after her disappointing Middle East Swing, where she suffered first-round exits in both the Qatar Open and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The American made a quick stop in Los Angeles before heading to Indian Wells, where she will debut on Friday, March 7, after receiving a first-round bye as the third seed. Gauff will face the winner of Emma Raducanu vs. Moyuka Uchijima.
Amid the backlash, former US Open champion Andy Roddick weighed in on the topic during the latest episode of his podcast, Served with Andy Roddick. The former world No. 1 downplayed the situation, emphasizing that attending the event was not an issue for Gauff.
"When Coco, who is a business unto herself, gets a chance to knock something out for a sponsor, she rarely gets a better opportunity. She’s not going to find a better path than in LA. It's the most logical loop. You land in LA, then spend a night or two and get back on the court."
Roddick further dismissed the criticism, pointing out that Gauff remains a dedicated professional: "I think we should focus on people who are actually struggling with being professional when training.
“I'm not sure Coco is the target for that, but in reality, when you're a global superstar, stopping in LA to promote any brand or business and then heading to Indian Wells is about as tight of an operation as you're going to get."
Coco Gauff faces a challenging mission at Indian Wells, as she is defending last year’s semifinal run, where she lost to Maria Sakkari in 2024.
in custom #MiuMiu for #VanityFairOscarParty2025 💚💫 pic.twitter.com/pxf9u3rI2e
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) March 3, 2025
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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