Archive of posts tagged Andy Roddick

The secret behind Ben Shelton's rise revealed

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Alexander Zverev

All the players who participated in the 'Canadian Open' that took place in Toronto knew they had a huge chance due to the numerous absences among the top players. World No.1 Jannik Sinner missed the prestigious Canadian tournament and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz also made the chosen star, as well as 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and young English star Jack Draper.

This huge chance was exploited by Ben Shelton in the best way, with the American ace who was able to win the first Masters 1000 title of his young career thanks to an amazing run. The American talent had to overcome several difficulties during the tournament, but he showed that he has grown from all points of view and the final against Karen Khachanov certified his improvements.

The two top favorites to win in Ontario were Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, while Ben was better than them at handling the pressure and will try to extend his positive momentum at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 as well. His main goal is the US Open, scheduled from August 24 to September 7, a tournament that suits his game very well (where he reached the semifinals in 2023).

Roddick praises Shelton

On the latest episode of his famous podcast, former world No.1 Andy Roddick highlighted that he has noticed some progresses in Shelton's game: “His ability to drive the backhand, middle, and cross. He is not taking random cuts down the line with it, and when he does, it’s a finishing shot. But comfort in really taking big swings through the middle, through cross.

He has developed that shot, and you say the chip is a change-up, no, it’s more than that. It gives him the option to change the pattern of the entire rally. That is a big deal. Once it comes to his forehand, he has got options.”

Ben’s next opponent in Cincy will be Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Cameron Norrie in the previous round.

Coco Gauff teases American men over lack of Grand Slams: No competition

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2009 Wimbledon

Coco Gauff jokes there "has not been much of a competition" between American men and women at Grand Slams simply because the women have had much more success over the last two decades.

As you probably know, the last US male tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick. After winning his maiden Major at the 2003 US Open, the former world No. 1 appeared in four more Major finals but never won his second title on the biggest level.

After Roddick's 2009 Wimbledon final defeat to Roger Federer, it took US tennis 15 years to get another male Grand Slam finalist – Taylor Fritz reached the 2024 US Open final but stood no chance there, losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner.

When it comes to American WTA stars, their Slam success over the past two decades is well-documented. In the most recent history, Gauff landed two Grand Slams in the last two years. 

Gauff takes a playful shot at US ATP players

"For the men, I feel like the women, it hasn't been much of a competition, no offense to them, but now it is kind of was it three or four straight Slams with American in the finals. So I think we're we're doing pretty good on our end. They have to catch up. But no, I think it's great to see so many so much representation of like our country in the sport," the 2023 US Open winner said.

After making it clear that she thinks American male tennis features some pretty quality players, Gauff revealed her big wish was to witness an American male and female winning the same Grand Slam. Last year, Fritz and Jessica Pegula came close to making that happen, but lost their respective US Open final matches.

"I would love to see in my lifetime like a woman and an American woman and male when the same Slam that would be that would be great. We got it US Open. They were both in the final so hopefully maybe this U.S. Open some magic can happen," Gauff added.

In early June, Gauff won her first French Open title. Now, the 21-year-old is an Australian Open and Wimbledon title away from completing a Career Grand Slam.

Ben Goes Big: Shelton Becomes Youngest American Masters Champion in 21 Years

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By Chris Oddo | Thursday August 7, 2025

Blood, sweat, tears and – finally – triumph. Ben Shelton gave it all in Toronto and took home the hardware as the youngest American to win a Masters title since Andy Roddick in 2004, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(3) in two hours and 47 minutes.

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Tennis Express player gear

Shelton is the first American man to win the title in Canada since Roddick in 2003, and he will rise to a career-high ranking of No.6.

“I feel so blessed,” Shelton said. “Just to have opportunities like this. The joy that I feel today isn’t just because of the win. It’s because of the people that I get to spend every day with.”

It was a hard-hitting tussle with Khachanov, the pair’s second career meeting which saw Khachanov jump out in front on the strength of a solid first-set tiebreak.

But Shelton would not be denied. The 22-year-old American answered back, going unbroken in sets two and three and winning four of the final five points in the deciding set tiebreak to earn his third and biggest ATP title.

Shelton defeated No. 8-seeded Alex de Minaur and No. 4-seeded Taylor Fritz to advance to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final, and survived third-set tiebreaks to defeat Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli earlier in the tournament.

When the victory was clinched, Shelton made his way to the crowd to share the moment with his coach and father Bryan. His coach encouraged him to step into the court and take balls earlier against Khachanov, and the strategy paid dividends.

“I love the way that he coaches me,” Shelton said. “He usually leaves stuff up to me. He gives me a lot of suggestions. He knows me better than anyone in the world, so he’s well qualified to give me those suggestions.”

Khachanov went more than six years between Masters finals, a record, but could not summon the magic that he displayed when winning the Paris title in 2018.

Still, he will rise to No.12 in the rankings after a strong effort that saw him save a match point while knocking off top-seeded Alexander Zverev in the semis.

“Definitely still it’s a positive, great tournament, great run,” he said. “I had some great battles, great wins against top guys. So that’s why I give credit to myself for doing that, and that’s it.

“I mean, you can win, you can lose, so you just try to regroup and be ready for the next tournament, it’s another Masters 1000, and then it’s a Grand Slam. So this is tennis, so sometimes you have to regroup quickly and be fit, be ready for the next match.”

Ben Goes Big: Shelton Becomes Youngest American Masters Champion in 22 Years

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By Chris Oddo | Thursday August 7, 2025

Blood, sweat, tears and – finally – triumph. Ben Shelton gave it all in Toronto and took home the hardware as the youngest American to win a Masters title since Andy Roddick in 2004, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(3) in two hours and 47 minutes.

Tennis Express player gear
Tennis Express player gear

Shelton is the first American man to win the title in Canada since Roddick in 2003, and he will rise to a career-high ranking of No.6.

“I feel so blessed,” Shelton said. “Just to have opportunities like this. The joy that I feel today isn’t just because of the win. It’s because of the people that I get to spend every day with.”

It was a hard-hitting tussle with Khachanov, the pair’s second career meeting which saw Khachanov jump out in front on the strength of a solid first-set tiebreak.

But Shelton would not be denied. The 22-year-old American answered back, going unbroken in sets two and three and winning four of the final five points in the deciding set tiebreak to earn his third and biggest ATP title.

Shelton defeated No. 8-seeded Alex de Minaur and No. 4-seeded Taylor Fritz to advance to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final, and survived third-set tiebreaks to defeat Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli earlier in the tournament.

When the victory was clinched, Shelton made his way to the crowd to share the moment with his coach and father Bryan. His coach encouraged him to step into the court and take balls earlier against Khachanov, and the strategy paid dividends.

“I love the way that he coaches me,” Shelton said. “He usually leaves stuff up to me. He gives me a lot of suggestions. He knows me better than anyone in the world, so he’s well qualified to give me those suggestions.”

Khachanov went more than six years between Masters finals, a record, but could not summon the magic that he displayed when winning the Paris title in 2018.

Still, he will rise to No.12 in the rankings after a strong effort that saw him save a match point while knocking off top-seeded Alexander Zverev in the semis.

“Definitely still it’s a positive, great tournament, great run,” he said. “I had some great battles, great wins against top guys. So that’s why I give credit to myself for doing that, and that’s it.

“I mean, you can win, you can lose, so you just try to regroup and be ready for the next tournament, it’s another Masters 1000, and then it’s a Grand Slam. So this is tennis, so sometimes you have to regroup quickly and be fit, be ready for the next match.”

Humble & Hungry – Shelton Is Youngest American to Reach Masters Final in 21 Years

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By Chris Oddo | Wednesday August 6, 2025

Ben Shelton broke new ground on Wednesday night in Toronto, defeating Taylor Fritz to become the youngest American to reach a Masters 1000 final since Andy Roddick in 2004.

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The 22-year-old notched a 6-4, 6-3 over the top-ranked American, and has now earned back-to-back Top-10 wins for the first time in his career.

“I’m just looking for things in my game to steadily improve and I’ve seen so many big improvements in my game this week,” said Shelton. “That’s what I’m most happy about. The way that I’m playing, how I’m executing and how little I’m hesitating.”

Shelton saved both break points he faced in a flawless performance, and converted three of ten to pull away from the fourth-ranked American.

He cracked seven aces and won 25 of 29 first-serve points.

“When he is standing in one corner, he’s one of the best in the world at being behind the ball and hitting it harder and harder every time,” Shelton said of the 2024 US Open runner-up. “You have to keep him moving and I did a great job of that, moving the ball around the court today.”

In the first all-American Masters semifinal in 15 years Shelton improved to 1-1 vs Fritz and became the eighth player born in the 2000s to play a Masters final.

“It’s huge,” Shelton said. “Talked about how the Masters were the one level of tournaments that I’ve been struggling with, and my next step is being able to excel in these tournaments. So taking that first step and getting my first deep run under my belt is exciting.”

He’ll face Karen Khachanov for the title on Thursday evening.

Uncharted Territory – Shelton Cracks Masters Milestone with Win over De Minaur in Toronto

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Ben Shelton continues to deliver big stage performances on the sports’ biggest stages.

On Tuesday night the American took out World No.8 Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 to become the youngest American to reach a Masters semifinals since Andy Roddick in 2005.

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22-year-old Shelton will face compatriot Taylor Fritz in an all-American battle on Wednesday night, as he bids for his first Masters final.

It will be the first all-American semifinal at a Masters 1000 event since Mardy Fish defeated Andy Roddick in Cincinnati in 2010.

Shelton entered Tuesday’s tussle with an 0-3 record in Masters quarterfinals but he was dominant from start to finish against De Minaur as he cracked 22 winners against 23 unforced errors and won a larger share of baseline points won.

Shelton saved one of two break points and converted three breaks to snap the Aussie’s seven-match winning streak. He earned his first Top-10 of the season as well, after losing each of his first five against the Top-10 this year.

Alexander Zverev joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic in 'Club 50'

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Alexander Zverev

World no. 3 Alexander Zverev is the top seed in Toronto following the withdrawals of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The 2017 champion is through to the last four after dethroning Alexei Popyrin in three sets.

Alexander has collected a couple of notable milestones in Toronto. He notched his 500th ATP victory in the third round, becoming the first player born in 1990 or later to achieve that.

The German reached his 21st Masters 1000 semi-final, leaving Andy Roddick on 20 and standing seventh on the all-time list. In addition, Zverev embraced his 50th notable quarter-final in Canada.

World no. 3 is only the tenth player since 1990 to achieve that feat at Majors, Masters 1000 events and the Olympic Games. Alexander joined the ultimate legends of our sport, including Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

Zverev has been one of the most consistent players born after Djokovic and Murray. The 28-year-old reached four notable quarter-finals in 2017 when he was only 20. The young gun raised that number to eight in 2018!

He competed in the last eight at seven Masters 1000 events and at Roland Garros. Alexander added four quarter-finals to his collection in 2019 before reaching three during the reduced 2020 campaign.

Alexander Zverev, Toronto 2025

Alexander Zverev, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The German returned at his best in 2021, earning nine notable quarter-finals to his name! He accomplished that at three Majors, the Olympic Games, and five Masters 1000 events, improving his already impressive tally at 24.

Zverev was on the same pace in 2022, making five quarter-finals by Roland Garros before experiencing a severe ankle injury that ended his season. Alexander had to wait for a year to add his name to a notable quarter-final.

He gathered three in 2023 before recovering his A-game last year. The German played in ten big quarter-finals, achieving his personal-best result and standing on 46 at the end of the season. 

Alexander Zverev, Roland Garros 2025

Alexander Zverev, Roland Garros 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Zverev fought in the last eight at three Majors, the Olympic Games and six Masters 1000 events, proving his class and impressive consistency. Eight years after starting his journey at notable events, Alexander is a proud owner of 50 top-tier quarter-finals.

The 47th came at the Australian Open before missing it at four straight Masters 1000 events, sailing through an uncharted territory. Alexander added one in Rome and repeated that at Roland Garros for 49. 

Wimbledon has never been on the German's list, and he failed to change that this year following an early exit. However, Zverev bounced back in Canada and made his 50th notable quarter-final, becoming the first player to achieve that after the 1987 generation. 

Opportunity Knocks For These Five Players in Canada

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By Chris Oddo | Monday August 4, 2025

Among the handful of household names still very much in the mix ahead of quarterfinal action at the 1000-level events in Canada this week, there are a few newbies who could just be ready to make a big splash.

And a four-time major champion that has not seen much success at the biggest events of late.

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Let’s have a look at some of the players that could produce breakout results over the next three days in Canada.

Alex Michelsen

The 20-year-old American has reached his maiden Masters quarterfinals, and that makes three American men in the quarters of a Masters event for the first time since 2004 Indian Wells: Michelsen, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton.

Today Michelsen will face Karen Khachanov in Toronto as he bids to become the youngest American man to reach the semifinals at a Masters event since Andy Roddick won the 2003 title. Michelsen, who will rise to No.28 in the live rankings if he wins, is bidding to become the first player born in 2004 to reach a Masters semifinal.

Clara Tauson

The 22-year-old Dane has already defeated two Top-5 players in 2024. She has now reached her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal and is already up to a new career-high ranking of 17 in the live rankings. She’ll face Madison Keys on Tuesday.

Victoria Mboko

It’s all gravy for the youngest player remaining in the women’s draw – and the last Canadian standing in either event — in Montreal this week, as 18-year-old wild card Victoria Mboko faces Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for a spot in the semis on Monday night.

Mboko, making her main draw debut, defeated Coco Gauff to reach her maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal. Same for Bouzas Maneiro, and both players are bidding to reach their first tour-level semifinal.

Ben Shelton

22-year-old American Ben Shelton has already reached the semifinals at a major, but he hasn’t gone there at a Masters event thus far. He’ll have a chance to achieve the feat on Tuesday when he meets Alex de Minaur in Toronto, in a first-time meeting.

Of the eight men remaining in the singles draw in Toronto, only the Americans – Michelsen and Shelton – have yet to reach a Masters final.

ben shelton citi open
ben shelton citi open

Naomi Osaka

Could it be the four-time Slam champion’s time to shine again in Montreal? Naomi Osaka, with new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski at the helm, will bid for her first 1000-level semifinal since 2022 in Miami.

The former No.1, who rifled past Anastasija Sevastova in 49 minutes on Sunday, will face former champion Elina Svitolina on Tuesday.

Only four of the remaining eight players left in the Montreal draw have previously won a title at the 1000 level: Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, Osaka and Svitolina

Michelsen Tops Tien, Will face Khachanov for Toronto Semifinal Spot

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By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 2, 2025
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty

In a clash of friendly fire, Alex Michelsen played clean first-strike tennis to take good friend Learner Tien down.

Michelsen broke Tien in his opening service game of both sets sparking a 6-3, 6-3 sweep in a match of talented Californians in Toronto today.

Alex Michelsen

The 20-year-old Michelsen, who toppled 10th-ranked Lorenzo Musetti in the prior round, advance to his 15th career quarterfinal and first Masters 1000 quarterfinal.

It’s a milsetone moment for Michelsen, who led start to finish. Michelsen is the youngest American ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinalist since a 20-year-old Sebastian Korda made the last eight at 2021 Miami. He’s the youngest U.S. man to reach the National Bank Open quarterfinals since a 20-year-old Andy Roddick took the title 22 years ago.

Aggressive baseline play from Michelsen combined with some uncharacteristically sloppy shotmaking from Tien was the difference today. Michelsen converted four of 10 break points in an 80 minute victory for his sixth quarterfinal of the 2025 season.

The 34th-ranked Michelsen will face Karen Khachanov for a spot in the final four.

Khachanov cracked 29 winners in a 6-4, 7-5 victory over former US Open finalist Casper Ruud.

The 11th-seeded Khachanov broke three times in a 93-minute victory.

Khachanov beat Ruud for the first time in three meetings and snapped an 11-match losing streak vs. Top 20 opponents. It was Khachanov’s first win over a Top 20 opponent since he beat Grigor Dimitrov at the Paris Indoors last October.

The hard-hitting Khachanov has dropped just one set in three tournament victories.

Michelsen won his lone prior meeting vs. Khachanov with an impressive 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2 sweep at the Australian Open last January.

Iga Swiatek gets honest on her face being 'red' for intense crying after doping news

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Andy Roddick

Iga Swiatek reveals her face was "red" for crying for 40 minutes straight after learning about her failed doping test and also admits she couldn't hold her tears for two weeks after her case went public.

In the latest episode of his podcast, Andy Roddick hosted the reigning Wimbledon champion. During one segment, they touched on the Pole's doping case, for which she received a symbolical one-month suspension after it was determined that she didn't intentionally or knowingly take a banned substance but that she was a victim of contaminated melatonin pills. 

Speaking with Roddick, Swiatek revealed that she was in the middle of a commercial photoshoot when she received an e-mail from the ITIA. 

“I had no idea if I should even continue the shoot, my face was all red, I was crying for about 40 minutes, but then – on the other hand – I knew that I couldn’t really tell them about it. So I just continued for the next few hours," the world No. 3 said on the Served with Andy Roddick.

Swiatek: I was crying for two weeks, I felt like I was losing my integrity

When Swiatek's case came to public light, she had already served 22 days and had only eight days left – that explained why the six-time Grand Slam champion missed the entire 2024 Asian swing after the US Open. 

“When everything came out [publicly], I was basically crying for two weeks, couldn’t practice, because I felt that tennis did this to me and that I’m in this place because of tennis. I felt like I was losing my integrity, like no one is going to believe me that I didn’t do anything wrong and that the whole world would turn their backs on me and that every accomplishment that I had would start to disappear," Swiatek admitted.

The WADA accepted the ITIA's explanation and sanction for Swiatek. After the WADA decided against contesting the ITIA's ruling, the 24-year-old Pole's doping case was officially over and she was no longer in danger of receiving another and possibly lengthier suspension.

Rune Working with Andre Agassi Ahead of Citi Open

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The pair will reportedly spend three days together, according to a report by Stephanie Myles. Andre Agassi

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday July 19, 2025

Holger Rune and Andre Agassi are spending some quality time together at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.

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According to Stephanie Myles of Open Court, who shot the below video, the pair are to spend three days together prepping for the ATP 500 event.

According to Myles, the pair will spend three days together in the hopes that Rune can gain some insight from the eight-time Slam champion

The Dane has had both good and bad moments this season. Famously, he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona final. But he's only 22-14 on the season with the one title. He reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, but lost in the first round at Wimbledon.

Agassi has been on the scene a bit in recent months, commentating for TNT at Roland-Garros for four days, and appearing on the Andy Roddick First Serve Podcast for an in-depth interview.

Shelton's Top-10 Debut Makes Three Americans in the ATP's Top-10 for the First Time Since 2006

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The Americans could have four in the coming months. Andre Agassi

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday June 16, 2025

American men’s tennis continues to grow its momentum. After landing two men in the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros for the first time since 1996, the American men now have three players ranked inside the Top 10 for the first time since 2006.

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Enter Ben Shelton, who reached the semifinals last week in Stuttgart, and enters the Top-10 for the first time in Monday’s ATP rankings.

Shelton, 22, is the first American man born in the 2000s to achieve the feat.

Shelton is joined by Taylor Fritz, who returns to No.4 after winning the Stuttgart title, and Tommy Paul, who is at No.8, thanks to his quarterfinal run at Roland-Garros.

The last time three American men held Top 10 rankings at the same time was April 17th, 2006, when Andy Roddick was No. 4, James Blake was No. 7 and Andre Agassi was No. 10.


Shelton is the fourth ATP player – and second American, along with Paul – to make his Top-10 debut in 2024. The other two players are Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti.

Diallo Cracks Top-50

Canada’s Gabriel Diallo, 23, cracks the Top-50 at No.44 thanks to his title at ‘S-Hertogenbosch. Diallo became just the second Canadian to win a grass court title on Sunday, and the first since Greg Rusedski in 1993.

Italy’s Flavio Cobolli also cracks a career-high at No.24.

Zizou Bergs (+14 to No.49) and Reilly Opelka (+12 to No.75) were also among the big risers in this week’s ATP rankings. Opelka has risen over 200 spots since January. He played Brisbane at No.293 this year.

Bergs, who lost to Diallo in the ‘S-Hertogenbosh final, is back at his career-high.