Andy Roddick didn’t hold back on his podcast when addressing Jelena Ostapenko’s behavior at the U.S. Open. After Ostapenko accused Taylor Townsend of lacking class and education following their second-round match, Roddick stepped in with a sharp critique. He acknowledged his own history of emotional outbursts on court, making it clear he’s not one to judge others for losing their cool. But he drew the line at hypocrisy.
Comparing behavior and honesty
Roddick pointed to Daniil Medvedev as an example of a player who may act out but owns his flaws. “Medvedev does some stuff, but he openly admits he’s imperfect,” Roddick said. That kind of self-awareness, he argued, is what separates genuine emotion from performative criticism. In contrast, he found Ostapenko’s comments to be lacking in self-reflection.
A biting analogy
“Ostapenko lecturing someone about class on a tennis court is like me lecturing someone about trying everything they can to stop losing their hair,” Roddick joked. The line, delivered with his trademark sarcasm, underscored his frustration with what he sees as double standards in the sport. He emphasized that before anyone starts giving lessons on etiquette, they should first examine their own conduct.
A call for basic respect
Roddick didn’t stop there. He offered a pointed suggestion: “Start looking people in the eye when you shake their hands. Let’s start with that. And then about 15 steps later you can criticise someone for not saying sorry on a net cord.” His comments referenced Ostapenko’s reputation for avoiding eye contact during post-match handshakes, a gesture many view as disrespectful.
A broader message on sportsmanship
The former U.S. Open champion’s remarks sparked conversation across the tennis world. While emotions run high in competition, Roddick’s message was clear—sportsmanship begins with humility and consistency. If players want to hold others accountable, they must first be willing to hold themselves to the same standard.
Jelena Ostapenko in 2025
Now ranked no.26, Ostapenko played her last match on the 27th of August when she capitulated to world no.139 Taylor Townsend 7-5 6-1 in the 2nd round of the U.S. Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Ostapenko has achieved a 18-17 win-loss record. Ostapenko has won 1 title in Stuttgart. Ostapenko was the runner-up in Doha.