When former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick speaks, tennis fans pay attention—especially when the topic is a player as dominant as Iga Swiatek. With the French Open draw sending shockwaves through the WTA world, many are already calling Swiatek’s path to the title the “most brutal” of the tournament. And Roddick? He’s got thoughts.
Appearing on his podcast and in media commentary, Roddick didn’t sugarcoat it: “Swiatek has a mountain to climb. But if anyone’s built for this kind of pressure cooker, it’s her.” The draw reportedly pits Iga against a gauntlet of heavy hitters, potential early-round landmines, and possible showdowns with top-10 rivals before the final weekend. In short, it’s the tennis version of the Hunger Games.
But Roddick, never one to shy away from bold takes, thinks this draw might be exactly what Swiatek needs. “It could sharpen her. Force her to lock in from round one. There’s no room for cruise control here,” he said. And let’s face it—when Swiatek’s locked in, she’s a nightmare on clay.
Still, the tennis gods haven’t done her any favors. Swiatek’s draw could include early meetings with power hitters like Jelena Ostapenko or a fired-up Elena Rybakina—players who have troubled her in the past. But if she can navigate this labyrinth, it could be her most meaningful Roland Garros title yet.
Roddick summed it up best: “If she comes out of this on top, we’re not just talking about a great player—we’re talking about an all-time clay-court legend in the making.” Buckle up. Paris just got a lot more interesting.