Andy Roddick enjoyed a stellar career on the ATP Tour, winning a Grand Slam title and reaching world number one.
Roddick won 32 titles during his time on the ATP Tour, as he established himself as one of the best players of his generation.
The 42-year-old won the 2003 US Open title, beating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final, and remains the most recent American to win a Grand Slam.
Photo by Lorenzo Ciniglio/Corbis via Getty Images
Taylor Fritz reached the final of the US Open this year, as he came closest to matching Roddick’s achievements.
The American also spent 13 weeks as world number one before he was surpassed by Roger Federer, the man who beat him in four Major finals.
During his time on the ATP Tour, however, Roddick grew frustrated at several players for their inability to make the most of their talent.
Andy Roddick says one ATP star made him so angry he told him to ‘quit tennis’
Speaking on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the 2003 US Open champion reflected on the types of players who frustrated him during his career.
“It’s not because I don’t respect people as humans,” he said.
“I just would reach a point of anger/jealousy with people who were insanely talented, who wouldn’t do the work.
“When things are going well they’re pumping up the crowd, doing this whole showboating thing, and when it’s going the wrong way they’re limping around with injuries that aren’t real.”
Roddick went on to give a hint about one player in particular who really started to get on his nerves.
“I won’t name a name,” he said.
“But there’s a player that’s probably the fastest guy I’ve ever seen, the best body I’ve ever seen.
“His career-high ranking is like six or seven, and I got into it one time with him, he’s like the nicest guy in the world.
“I said something along the lines of and I regretted it instantly, ‘If I had won as many tournaments as you with your talent, I’d quit,’ and I meant it.
“It’s not because he’s not a nice person, but, because guys who have the ability and choose not to use it drive me crazy.”
Which ATP star did Andy Roddick say should ‘quit tennis’?
Whilst Roddick didn’t name the ATP star he told to ‘quit tennis’, it looks as though Gael Monfils could well be the standout candidate to be the player he was talking about.
Not only was Monfils incredibly athletic and famed for his speed around the court, but his career-high ranking was also number six, meaning he ticks every box that Roddick described.
The Frenchman was also known for his ‘showboating,’ as Monfils often wowed fans with his sensational shot-making on the ATP Tour.
Roddick and Monfils faced off eight times during their careers, with the American trailing the head-to-head, 5-3.
WinnerYearTournamentGael Monfils2010Tokyo – QFGael Monfils2009French Open – 4RAndy Roddick2009Miami Open – 4RAndy Roddick2009Doha – SFGael Monfils2008Madrid Masters – 4RGael Monfils2007Portschach – QFGael Monfils2006Italian Open – QFAndy Roddick2005Lyon – FAndy Roddick and Gael Monfils’ head-to-head record
Monfils has won 12 titles during his time in tennis, and is currently ranked 55th in the world.
The Frenchman is set to return to the court for the ASB Classic in Auckland, which begins on December 29.
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