Former ATP player Andy Roddick wasn’t on board with the Laver Cup early on because he thought the event felt artificial, but after having a chance to attend it and seeing how it progressed over the years, he changed his opinion.
Roddick is what we know in tennis as the old-school type of player, and it shows through his play and his thoughts about it. However, he was certainly one of the best players of his generation.
He’s a Grand Slam champion and a former number one on the ATP Tour, so he knows a lot about the sport. His interest in tennis shows through his podcast, in which he breaks down matches he watches now that he’s retired.
As such, his views on tennis are notable. Recently, he recalled how he used to see the Laver Cup, and he does not see it the same way he does these days. Speaking about the Laver Cup in his 'Served with Andy Roddick' podcast, the former number one openly admitted that he wasn’t an early believer in the Laver Cup because, to him, the concept of having Team Europe against Team World felt artificial.
"I was not an early believer (in the Laver Cup). I held on to Davis Cup and I was just like, 'this isn't it'. The reasons that you (Jon Wertheim) were saying with Europe vs the World, it felt very artificial."
Roddick then went on about a conversation he had with John Isner, who was participating in the Laver Cup competition at the time. They went back and forth about whether players cared about the tournament because Roddick didn't believe players cared as much as they said.
"I remember having a phone argument, not argument, like a friendly argument with John Isner, and he's telling me, 'You know, we're playing. Everyone cares about it', and I'm like, 'John, you care about the money involved, but it's not the Davis Cup.'"
"And he's like, 'It is', and I was so mad at him for saying that, and now I'm like, 'Yeah they play hard'. It's a thing, and you're going to care for it more because you care for Davis Cup less."
Roddick, who attended the Boston edition of the Laver Cup in person, now sees the competition as a solid addition to the tennis calendar, especially after seeing players get into it over the years.
Carlos Alcaraz dominated this year's edition, and he was clearly into it. The way he reacted on the sidelines and played seriously certainly showed that he cared. All players probably don't care the same way, but as long as enough care, it will remain a fascinating competition with an interesting twist and a chance for fans to see bitter rivals fighting on the same side for the same goal.
0 Comments