Tennis

Dean Goldfine, a former college tennis player, has become a renowned coach in the tennis world, guiding many top American players to success. His journey began as a hitting partner for Mary Joe Fernandez, leading to opportunities to coach Todd Martin and Andy Roddick.Goldfine's partnership with Martin taught him valuable lessons, which he applied to his coaching of Roddick. Despite facing the challenges of the "Big-3" era, Roddick's unwavering work ethic and competitiveness made him a successful player.Goldfine has also worked with Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton, helping them navigate the transition to professional tennis. He remains actively involved in the sport through his work with the USTA and American Davis Cup team.Goldfine's passion for teaching and transferring knowledge drives his coaching philosophy. He believes in fostering a positive and supportive environment where players can reach their full potential.

The Laver Cup, a three-day tennis extravaganza, has once again crowned Team Europe as champions, marking their fifth victory in the event's seven-year history. This year's edition, held in Berlin, drew praise from tennis legends Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim.Roddick highlighted the event's unique format, which caters to players' needs. "It's an easy yes for the players," he said. "It's three days, tiebreaker for a third set, so even if you're playing a lot like Ben Shelton, you're playing indoors, it's predictable."Wertheim agreed, calling Laver Cup "absolutely right for disruption" and a welcome alternative to the "wreck" that Davis Cup has become. He also raised the question of whether women should compete in the event, arguing that it could improve competitive balance.Roddick countered that women's tennis should create its own successful event rather than relying on Laver Cup. However, both commentators recognized the standout performances of Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton at this year's Cup.Alcaraz's victory over Botic van de Zandschulp was seen as a reassertion of his dominance after a disappointing US Open. Roddick praised Fritz as "the lunch pail guy" who consistently delivers his best effort. Shelton, meanwhile, is showing increasing confidence against top-ranked opponents.The article also discussed the recent coaching changes in tennis, including Naomi Osaka's split with her coach and Jannik Sinner's addition of two members of Novak Djokovic's team. Roddick challenged Alcaraz to boycott mandatory events to force calendar reform, hoping that other top players will follow suit.

In 2001, a young Taylor Swift graced the US Open stage, performing the national anthem. The following year, she returned to sing "America the Beautiful" at just 13 years old. However, a shocking revelation emerged on the "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, where US Open entertainment producer Michael Fiur admitted to a decision that haunts him to this day.Fiur, with an impressive resume including 29 Super Bowls and 28 consecutive US Opens, revealed that he declined Taylor Swift's request to perform at Arthur Ashe Kids' Day in 2003. "She's just taking off, she's really country; we don't think that would play in New York," Fiur explained.Despite the star-studded lineup of Opening Night performers over the years, including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Kelly Clarkson, Fiur acknowledges that the decision to pass on Swift was a major misstep. "Worst decision I ever made," he confessed.The US Open has since evolved significantly, embracing diversity and inclusion. In 2019, the tournament launched its first Open Pride event, showcasing LGBTQ+ culture. Fiur expressed pride in the organization's commitment to these values, stating, "To see this now become part of the fabric of the Open... makes me very proud to be associated with an organization that has these beliefs and shares my beliefs."Andy Roddick, a former US Open champion, emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating different cultures in tennis. "Someone being gay or Black or anything else was just so normal in tennis," he said. "I'm glad it's being represented by the US Open."Fiur has since learned to balance entertainment with the priority of tennis. "Over time, tournament directors tried to drum into me that tennis does come first," he said. This year's US Open featured a record-breaking Opening Day attendance, with Alicia Keys performing her Broadway hit "Kaleidoscope."The US Open's growth post-COVID has been remarkable, with fans eager to experience live events. "I think people desire to experience live events, be around people again," Fiur said. "The last couple of years have been off the charts."

Served with Andy Roddick: A Live Episode from CincinnatiIn the latest episode of the "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, recorded live from the Cincinnati Open, Roddick welcomed special guests Matteo Berrettini and Bob Moran to discuss the tournament's legacy and the future of tennis.Berrettini, who has won three tour titles in 2024 despite facing injuries, shared his perspective on overcoming setbacks. "I've always considered myself as someone who was good at coming back," he said. He also spoke about the rise of young Italian players like Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, expressing pride in their accomplishments.Roddick questioned Berrettini about his experience filming "Break Point," the Netflix series that followed players behind the scenes. Berrettini admitted to being excited about the opportunity but hesitated when asked if he would do it again.Bob Moran, the man responsible for keeping Cincinnati as a tournament site, emphasized the city's passion for sports. He announced an expansion of the draw from 56 to 96 players, increasing the tournament's scale and fan engagement.Roddick praised Cincinnati's unique atmosphere, saying, "The passion I felt in Cincinnati was unmatched anywhere else I went." He highlighted the practice areas as a special aspect of the tournament.The episode concluded with a Q&A session with fans, covering topics such as the future of tennis and potential breakthroughs among players ranked 11 to 30.Tennis analyst Jon Wertheim expressed his interest in the sport's direction, emphasizing the need to maximize its virtues. "Tennis is a wonderful sport," he said. "It's men, it's women, it travels all around the world, it's guys that are 21 and guys that are 37."

John Isner, the former world No. 8 tennis player, has transitioned into broadcasting after retiring from the sport in 2023. In a recent episode of "Served with Andy Roddick," Isner shared his experiences and insights on his retirement and the current state of American men's tennis.Isner admitted that the transition to broadcasting has been a bit strange, especially with the change in parking privileges at tournaments. However, he emphasized that he had no plans to retire when he did, but his body forced him to make the decision.Despite missing certain aspects of tennis, Isner acknowledged that he is still adjusting to retirement. He noted that other former athletes have told him it takes 12-24 months to fully process the transition.Isner's retirement experience differed from Roddick's, who didn't miss tennis immediately after retiring. Roddick attributed this to his younger age and the fact that he didn't question his ability to still play.Isner also discussed the challenges of being a tall player, which required him to adjust his training regimen. He emphasized the importance of staying healthy and avoiding injuries.Isner praised the current generation of American men's tennis players, including Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, but admitted that he has little in common with them. He joked that Tommy Paul, who chose to turn professional instead of attending college, made the right decision given his party-loving nature.Isner and Roddick will face the Bryan brothers in an exhibition match at the Atlanta Open. Despite their previous disastrous doubles experience at the 2012 Olympics, Isner believes they have a chance to win.

Andy Roddick's Skin Cancer Diagnosis Highlights the Importance of Sun Protection for Tennis PlayersFormer world No. 1 Andy Roddick has revealed that he has been battling skin cancer since retiring from professional tennis. In a recent episode of his podcast, "Served with Andy Roddick," Roddick shared his experience with skin cancer and urged listeners to prioritize sun protection.Roddick's diagnosis came after more than a decade of playing tennis outdoors, where he was exposed to excessive sunlight. He has since had a squamous cell tumor removed from his lip and undergoes regular treatments to prevent further skin damage."It stinks," Roddick said. "I think I'm going to be a general kind of hatchet job for the rest of my life."Roddick's experience serves as a cautionary tale for tennis players and anyone who spends extended periods outdoors. Sun exposure can lead to various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most serious form.To protect themselves, tennis players should wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, reapply it every two hours, and seek shade during peak sun hours. They should also wear protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses.Encouragingly, there is a growing trend among ATP and WTA Tour players to endorse sunscreen brands. Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, and Jannik Sinner are among those who have partnered with sunscreen companies to promote sun protection."Use sunscreen, put sunscreen on your kids especially if they are tennis players," Roddick advised. "The problem won't present itself when the kid is 8, but it might present itself when that kid is grown and is 38."Roddick's message highlights the importance of sun protection for athletes and individuals of all ages. By taking simple precautions, we can reduce our risk of skin cancer and enjoy the outdoors safely.

Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim have released their predictions for Wimbledon 2023 following the draw ceremony.Women's Draw:Roddick expressed concern for Iga Swiatek's quarter, which includes defending champion Marketa Vondrousova. He believes Swiatek's movement and ball flight may need adjustments on grass, making her more vulnerable. However, he still predicts Swiatek to reach the semifinals, facing Vondrousova.In the next quarter, Roddick predicts Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula to advance, with an honorable mention to Katie Boulter.Emma Raducanu is seen as a potential spoiler in the bottom half, despite a tough first-round draw against Ekaterina Alexandrova. Roddick believes Raducanu's recent grass-court form could carry her through.Roddick and Wertheim differ significantly in their predictions for the women's final. Roddick has Jessica Pegula reaching her first Grand Slam final, losing to Aryna Sabalenka. Wertheim, on the other hand, predicts a Swiatek-Gauff final.Men's Draw:Roddick and Wertheim largely agree on the men's outcomes. Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini are seen as potential second-round opponents. Sinner is predicted to reach the quarterfinals, facing Grigor Dimitrov.Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is the clear favorite in his quarter, with Tommy Paul named as his quarterfinal opponent.Andrey Rublev's section features Lorenzo Musetti, who Roddick believes could be a threat on grass. However, Roddick predicts Sebastian Korda to overtake Musetti for a spot in the quarterfinals.In the bottom section, Novak Djokovic is the favorite to reach the semifinals, where he would face Taylor Fritz. Sinner is predicted to face Alcaraz in the other semifinal, with the Italian emerging victorious.In the predicted Italy-Serbia match for the title, Roddick has Sinner winning his first Wimbledon title and second slam.

Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim Discuss Roland Garros' Rain Delays, Fan Behavior, and Player PerspectivesThe first week of Roland Garros has been marked by persistent rain delays, creating a challenging environment for players and fans alike. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick and Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim delve into the impact of these delays on players' mentality and preparation.Roddick highlights the stress players face as they navigate the unpredictable weather, constantly preparing for potential matches that may or may not occur. He notes that lower-ranked players are particularly affected, often facing the uncertainty of side-court placement.The discussion also addresses the issue of fan behavior at Roland Garros. Roddick expresses concern over the rowdiness and verbal abuse directed at players, particularly David Goffin. Wertheim and Roddick debate the tournament's decision to ban alcohol in stadiums as a solution.Roddick argues that while physical safety is paramount, he appreciates the atmosphere created by passionate fans. He suggests that fans could mitigate the issue by consuming alcohol before entering the stadium. From a player's perspective, Roddick believes that name-calling and booing are part of the game, but emphasizes the importance of being able to hear the ball off the opponent's racquet.The episode also touches on Elena Rybakina's complaints about the content of press conferences. Wertheim acknowledges the diversity of players and the challenge of asking engaging questions. He expresses sympathy for players who may find press conferences repetitive.Roddick and Wertheim analyze the second-round match between Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka, highlighting Swiatek's resilience in overcoming a 2-5 deficit in the deciding set. They discuss Swiatek's growth and her ability to handle the pressure of being world No. 1.Finally, the episode concludes with a discussion of Rafael Nadal's first-round loss. Roddick questions whether Nadal believes he can still make an impact on surfaces other than clay at this stage of his career.

Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim, co-hosts of the "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, meticulously analyzed the Roland Garros draw, providing insightful predictions and engaging discussions.Roddick began by assessing the women's draw, highlighting the potential second-round clash between Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek. Both agreed that Swiatek, the reigning champion, would likely advance deep into the tournament regardless of her opponents. Roddick predicted Swiatek would face Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round and Danielle Collins in the quarterfinals.Moving to the men's draw, Roddick initially avoided looking for Rafael Nadal's name, but his excitement erupted when he discovered Nadal's first-round matchup against Alexander Zverev. Roddick expressed his disbelief and despair, acknowledging the psychological implications of Zverev facing Nadal on the same court where he suffered a career-threatening ankle injury in 2021.Despite his initial reluctance, Roddick predicted Zverev would prevail in the first round, citing his ability to compartmentalize and the potential for a rain delay to disrupt Nadal's rhythm. However, he emphasized that Nadal would likely reach the semifinals if he overcame Zverev.Roddick and Wertheim debated several other matchups, including Gael Monfils vs. Thiago Seyboth Wild, Tommy Paul vs. Francisco Cerundolo, and Casper Ruud vs. Jakub Mensik. They also discussed the recent upset by Taylor Fritz in Geneva and the potential threat posed by Nicolas Jarry due to Jannik Sinner's hip injury.After comparing their picks, Roddick and Wertheim agreed that Novak Djokovic, Nadal (Wertheim's "tennis god" pick), Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, and Fritz were likely to reach the quarterfinals. Roddick expressed his dissatisfaction with his own predictions, but acknowledged the excitement and unpredictability of the upcoming tournament.