Andy Roddick has not shied away from voicing his thoughts on the current issues clouding the sport of tennis.
So relentless is the schedule that it has become a hot topic in recent years, especially coming to the fore in an Olympic year.
Iga Swiatek addressed her concerns over the WTA schedule last month, claiming that there were too many mandatory events that were causing player burnout.
Swiatek called for a rule change, and many other leading players and ex-stars have come to her support.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz suffered early exits at the US Open and many have put this down to the energy and intensity required to compete in the Olympics final just a few weeks prior.
However, this year’s US Open was also filled with more matches finishing after midnight, despite tournament directors vowing that this would not be the case.
Andy Roddick says what drives him ‘crazy’ about the tennis schedule
Andy Roddick has used his online presence to voice his opinions on certain issues, often controversial, that surround the sport.
Prior to this year’s tournament, the 2003 US Open champion engaged in an online spat with Australian Nick Kyrgios over Jannik Sinner’s doping case, and has now spoken out on the sport’s schedule.
Speaking on the ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘ podcast, Roddick demanded that the sport address the issue and find a solution.
“The Olympic hangover was real and at some point in tennis… I don’t know who’s responsible for it,” Roddick said. “Maybe we all are and it’s just plausible deniability if we can get away with it. But, the schedule in tennis has to give.
“We keep adding and nothing gets taken away. Something has to give. It just drives me crazy.”
Tennis is a relentless sport
There is no question that tennis is a demanding sport. Players sign themselves up to a relentless, yet rewarding career if they are able to succeed.
The quality of tennis and the fitness required to perform at the highest level has increased significantly over the years, and the stars are starting to confess to burnout.
It is clear that 2024 has been particularly demanding due to the Olympics, but scheduling issues are nothing new in the sport.
It is equally not surprising that Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who did not play in Paris, took home the men’s and women’s titles at the US Open.
The players have spoken out and it is now up to the governing bodies to assess whether they have reason to respond.
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