Andy Roddick declared tennis has no equal in sports because its randomness means stars cannot be prioritized in scheduling, hitting out at how the NFL does with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Roddick, who played professionally from 2000-2012 and won one Grand Slam, described how Coco Gauff‘s star power didn’t mean anything when she was dumped out of the 2024 US Open, throwing the tournament up into the air.
The 42-year-old, who made the final of Wimbledon three times from 2004-2009, boldly proclaimed that sort of spontaneous elimination means tennis is more authentic and real than other sports.
“Tennis is like the original best reality show,” Roddick told the Served podcast. “Because in NFL, when they’re putting their games together, they can cherry pick the biggest star of the moment and place them on this sweetest spot.
“We don’t care if Coco’s the biggest star on Earth. We have a new someone who’s creating their own star path, and that’s Emma Navarro, and she takes them out.
“Unlike other sports, you can’t pick and choose Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to put in prime time on the second Sunday. You just can’t do it like it’s a moving target at all times.”
The 2003 US Open winner also celebrated the growth of tennis through contracts with ESPN and Sky Sports, despite stars like the Big Four of Andy Murray, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer entering retirement as well as the Williams’ sisters.
Aryna Sabalenka went on to win the final of the women’s singles at the 2024 US Open by defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, who herself defeated Navarro in the semifinals.
The Belarussian world number two claimed her third Grand Slam win to go with her two triumphs at the Australian Open whilst Gauff suffered a disappointing end to the year despite winning the Cincinnati Masters 1000.
Sky Sports purchases tennis rights
Sky Sports, home of major sports events such as soccer’s Premier League; golf’s Majors and Formula 1, announced they had acquired the rights to broadcast tennis ahead of the 2024 season.
They earn the rights to show ATP and WTA Tour events until 2029 and will show over 4000 matches per year to audiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Italy and Germany.
“This is a fantastic time to see the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports across our markets,” Stephen van Rooyen, CEO Sky UK & Ireland and Group CCO, said. “As tennis enters a new era with fresh and exciting talent making their way to the top of the sport.
“We are committed to bringing the two Tours together to elevate both male and female stars, and deliver world-class coverage of the 80 events across 48 weeks of the year; creating a brand-new home for tennis fans.”
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