“I was very frustrated, and she played well,” the US Open defending champion, Coco Gauff, said of Emma Navarro after her R16 defeat. Although she looked to avenge her 2024 Wimbledon defeat against Navarro, she ended up having a 1-2 head-to-head count over her compatriot, highlighting the unpredictability of the sport. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick offered a unique perspective on this unpredictability, comparing tennis to a “reality show” where anything can happen.

On September 17, Roddick invited US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster to his ‘Served’ podcast to discuss the evolution of tennis since 2020, among many other topics. While Allaster talked about how different broadcasting channels, like ESPN and Sky Sports, have good ratings by displaying tennis and are earning revenues, Roddick intervened and added how “tennis is like the original best reality show.” The former US Open champion further compared tennis with the American Football League, NFL, and said, “Because in NFL, when they’re putting their games together, they can cherry pick the biggest star of the moment and place them on this sweetest spot.”

Per the American, this is not the case with tennis: “…We don’t care if Coco’s the biggest star on Earth, like we have a new someone who’s creating their own star path, and that’s Emma Navarro, and she takes them out…” and added how it won’t be “a slight to Emma.” Roddick further praised Navarro’s performance, noting that she may not be a “box office mover” yet, but her impressive play might change that soon.

As Roddick mentioned, Gauff’s slump in performance over the last few months with early round exits from Wimbledon, the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Masters, and Summer Olympics, as well as the US Open, has raised eyebrows. A complete flip from last year, where she won the Citi Open, Cincinnati Masters, and US Open. Contrastingly, Navarro’s rise to stardom, be it her QF appearance at Wimbledon, semifinal entries in Toronto, in the Monterrey Open, and in New York, is pleasing fans worldwide, hinting at a new star. 

Further referring to the two American professional football players, Roddick emphasized, “Unlike other sports, you can’t pick and choose, you know, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to put in prime time on the second Sunday. Like, you just can’t do it like it’s a moving target at all times.” But that’s not it. Earlier, Roddick also shared his perspective on Gauff’s US Open shocking upset!

Roddick on Coco Gauff’s troublesome form in the US Open

When the then third seed, Coco Gauff, fell to Navarro by 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, fans displayed their shock and disappointment at the American. Not to forget, she had a R32 exit from Cincinnati a few weeks before that. However, during an episode of his podcast, Roddick shed light on why Gauff’s dip in her form was not a surprise to him.

“There is no doubt that second serve is in her head. No doubt if Corey and Coco were sitting here right now, they would probably tell you the same thing. I know Brad [Gilbert] would tell me the same thing, not because he has, just because I’m sure he would,” he said.

Roddick further emphasized the immense pressure that Coco Gauff has to endure by being under the spotlight while also trying to better her skills. Although Roddick used an example of Gauff to explain the essence of tennis’ appeal, he never forgets to add some kind words for Coco Gauff and help her boost her confidence. He further urged that Gauff must deal with her inner struggles, move past the disappointment of the tournament, and regroup to come back stronger again.