Andy Roddick thinks there is one American player who would have found it tough watching his compatriots succeeding during his injury layoff.
The 2003 US Open champion is enjoying watching his fellow Americans bid to climb up the ATP rankings and assert themselves as the best in the world.
Roddick is still the last American man to both win a Grand Slam and become the World Number one.
Ahead of the Olympic Games, the 41-year-old took some time to discuss one of his fellow US players who has recently returned to action after a long time on the sidelines.
Andy Roddick thinks an American player has found hard to watch his competitors succeed
On the latest episode of his ‘Served Podcast’, Roddick mentioned Reilly Opelka, who returned to the ATP Tour in July for the first time since 2022.
Opelka reached the Newport Open semi-finals, where he was beaten by Alex Michelsen and Roddick was pleased to see Opelka do so well in his first tournament back.
Furthermore, he thinks Opelka will have extra motivation during this comeback after watching his fellow US players Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe make progress while he has been injured.
“It’s not easy to be out for two years and come back and make semis. I don’t care what level tour event you are playing,” Roddick shared.
“We hope there are big things ahead for Riley. It has to be hard for him to sit back and see his contemporaries really make massive strides forward, with Frances and Tommy making the last four. Fritz being the top American.
“Hopefully that helps in a healthy way. I do fully believe in endorse healthy jealously while still being able to be friends with people. I think that’s a great thing.”
What has Taylor Fritz achieved since Reilly Opelka has been out injured?
Fritz’s game has certainly moved on since Opelka got injured in 2022. The 26-year-old has claimed four titles since that season and achieved his best results at the Australian Open and US Open events.
He reached the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2023 before reaching the last eight at Melbourne Park for the first time in the following year.
Fritz also made it to the fourth round of Roland Garros for the first time in 2024 and equalled his best run at Wimbledon by getting to the quarterfinals.
He secured one of the biggest wins of his career after coming from two sets down to beat Alexander Zverev, before losing in five to Lorenzo Musetti.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
