![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-102497067.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: Andy Roddick of USA reacts during his match against Yen-Hsun Lu of Taipei on Day Seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-102497067.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: Andy Roddick of USA reacts during his match against Yen-Hsun Lu of Taipei on Day Seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
It’s a beautiful feeling when the championship point is played. The winner stands there in disbelief for a few seconds before howling in joy with their hands up in the air. The audience in the stands applauds the match played. Everything plays out perfectly. Years of dedication and hard work culminate in the Grass Slam trophy. However, things may take a turn for the worse when someone presents a negative view of the win, as it did for Andy Roddick. However, the American tennis star is here to justify his views and defend himself from the barrage of hate on social media.
The saga started after Calvin Betton’s protégé, Henry Patton, won the men’s double titles with his partner, Harri Heliövaara. A marvelous feat for the players, given the fact that Patton used to work at the airport and Heliövaara was into statistics with IBM at one point in time. However, the two got together, and viola! They’ve won the Grass Slam through hard work. But this win led Roddick to slam the status of doubles at Wimbledon and criticized the less or no overlap between the players in the singles and the doubles format.
Moreover, Roddick highlighted the gap in the skills of players playing doubles and singles. He called the latter ‘superior!’ This did not sit well with the tennis fans and Patton’s coach. As he took to X to criticize, Roddick’s unwarranted rant after his protégé won the title. As he called Roddick’s take, the “thickest, most uninformed, lowest common denominator discussion” he has heard in weeks. And asked the American to educate himself.
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However, Betton wasn’t the only one. Several tennis fans came in support of players as they bashed Roddick for his harsh opinion. But being the stubborn sport he is, Roddick took it in a stride, expressing happiness for their win, as they scripted history. But didn’t budge a bit from his views. He tweeted this in response to all the negativity surrounding his views.
What’s your reaction?
Did Andy Roddick just shut down his haters in the most epic way? React!
Reactions
Nope I think it’s an extraordinary story and am happy for them. Also, all I said is/was true. The more physical singles becomes, the more watered down doubles becomes.
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) July 16, 2024
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Though the views expressed are personal, but relative to yesteryears, when Serena and Venus Williams played both singles and doubles. Andy Murray played doubles with his brother, and even mixed doubles. But in recent years, this coordination might be missing. However, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are a common face in both doubles and singles. While the prominent doubles player Barbora Krejcikova recently won her 2nd singles. This leads one to ponder, is Roddick correct?
What’s your perspective on:
Does Andy Roddick deserve the backlash for his Wimbledon commentary, or are fans overreacting?
Have an interesting take?
Famous doubles Barbora Krejcikova wins her 2nd singles crown at Wimbledon
Back in 2018 and 2022, Krejcikova won the Grass Slam in the women’s doubles category with her partner Katerina Siniakova. However, before the Grass Swing of 2024, she had just one singles title in her kit; the Roland Garros. But times change, and with a terrific grass season this year, after facing numerous struggles throughout the year, the Czech concluded Wimbledon with the Venus Rosewater Dish shining in her hands.
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Shedding light on her struggle, she said, “You know I was just coming back all the time, and it was difficult because I didn’t have any wins under my belt. So I was going through a really, really difficult period, but I don’t know.” Krejcikova had a fairy tale ending, as she entered the league of Serena Williams, who has won both singles and doubles at Wimbledon.
If Barbora Krejcikova, is taken as an example, her Wimbledon run stands in her defense that singles and doubles player are both capable and have the skills needed to excel in their respective fields. Presenting striking contrast to Roddick’s views!
Debate
Does Andy Roddick deserve the backlash for his Wimbledon commentary, or are fans overreacting?