In sports world, timing is everything. Sometimes, a missed opportunity can haunt you forever! Ask the 2024 US Open runner-up, Taylor Fritz, who was one step away from creating history for his nation in New York. Similarly, an unforgettable and regretful scenario unfolded in 2003. In a heart-to-heart chat with Andy Roddick in the “Served” podcast, the entertainment producer, Michael Fiur revealed his grave mistake at the time, leaving fans, especially the American pop star, Taylor Swift’s fans, shocked!

Imagine this. It is the early 2000s, and a preteen Taylor Swift is trying to make her name in the music industry, grabbing every opportunity she gets, including one that requires her to perform the National Anthem at the US Open. Fast forward to three years later; she is 13 years old, all ready to perform “America the Beautiful,” in the same tournament once again. But this time, she is not allowed!

Revealing this shocking story, Fiur shared how the tournament allowed Swift to perform the National Anthem in the 2001 and 2002 US Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium (and also revealed some footage from that time to fans) but why he did not allow her to do the same in 2003. He made a surprising confession, stating,

“Then comes the worst decision I ever made. A year later, her father asked us if we’d put her on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, and we said, ‘She’s just taking off, she’s really country; we don’t think that would play in New York….” During this whole confession, Andy Roddick’s jaw dropped as he stared at Fiur with disbelief. 

After hearing the reason, Roddick put his hands on his head, warning him, “You understand this is going to be public. People watch it,” still in absolute shock, perhaps echoing the sentiment of every Swiftie! However, the producer continued and further emphasized, “And I do not share this publicly very often. Worst decision I ever made.”

Although this occurred more than two decades ago, it indeed comes as a shock to fans who adore the 14 Grammy Award winner and one of the most influential figure in the music industry presently. However, all seems to be well nows. Swift, dressed in red-and-white chequered dress, enjoyed the tournament’s final match between Jannik Sinner and Fritz this year, along with her boyfriend Travis Kelce, at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Moreover, Roddick, an ardent supporter of Taylor Swift, has also previously shared his reaction to an adorable video of the singer enjoying the event!

Andy Roddick shares his “fun” take on Taylor Swift’s US Open appearance

While Sinner battled with all his grit and ultimately outclassed Fritz in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, Swift and Kelce also stole some of the spotlight with their glittering presence. One such moment was during the mid-game intervals, where the tournament organizers played the song, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” by Justin Hawkins, ultimately leading the couple to dance to the music. As this video made its rounds in social media, fans guessed if the couple also sang along with the song. 

When this caught Andy Roddick’s attention, he chimed in to write on X, “Or ……. Mostly real and a little performative. Either way looks like fun being had.” Moreover, Andy Roddick has always been a fan of Swift and even went to the Eras Tour in 2023, which the first tour in history to surpass US$1 billion in revenue. And not only him, even his wife, Brooklyn Decker, is also a massive Swift fan as well!

Therefore, when Fiur revealed the shocking story, like many of her fans, Andy Roddick was also taken aback! However, now it’s all in the past and fans are wishing to see Swift once again in the US Open next year!