Andy Roddick on Serena Williams: 'I didn't get a quarter of the criticism that she ever got'
By JOHN DORN
When Andy Roddick retired from professional tennis in 2012, he did so with 32 overall titles, a U.S. Open victory and a World No. 1 ranking in 2003. Regarded as one of the best American tennis players in history, Roddick has widely been praised for his illustrious career.
Roddick was also famously known for his constant bickering with on-court officials, often smug and sarcastic with them after hearing calls he wasn't fond of. In an exclusive interview with The New York Observer that ran online Wednesday, Roddick alluded to how it related to his friend Serena Williams, and her on-court antics with officials that are often harping points for tennis fans and media.
In the interview, speaking of Serena's quest for the U.S. Open title, Roddick said (emphasis bolded):
"For 4 years we practiced on the courts in south Florida. We played right next to each other. To see her come from the ten year old year with beads in her hair-I mean ... just to see her become just this complete icon and the best female athlete of all time. I love the respect she's getting this week in the lead up too. She has the support of an entire country. We threw lots of fits on the court. I was a [expletive] a lot of the time, and I didn't get a quarter of the criticism that she ever got. To see her at this moment, and on the precipice of doing something great, and that will be remembered forever, it's just so cool. I'm so happy for her, and I hope she does it."
In this bit, Roddick brings notice to the fact that his antics were often over the top. With Serena being a close friend, he feels that, considering the way Williams' explosions are covered from time to time, that perhaps he's more deserving of blame that the media depicted at the time.
Either way, Williams could be on her way to history, no matter how the public reacts to her outbursts against officials. A win at this year's U.S. Open would be her fourth straight in the annual tournament and officially clinch something that hasn't been done in women's tennis since 1988 -- winning all four Grand Slam major events of the season.
Check out photos of Serena from last year's U.S. Open:
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