Tennis

Andy Roddick has a ‘simple’ solution for those who want to remove runner-up speeches at Grand Slams

October 9, 2026

Andy Roddick, the last American man to win a Grand Slam title, reflected on the emotional toll of runner-up speeches after his own struggles in five major finals. Though he claimed victory at the 2003 US Open, Roddick faced four consecutive losses in finals—three at Wimbledon and one at the US Open—all against Roger Federer, including a heartbreaking five-set defeat in the 2009 Wimbledon final.

Speaking on his *Served* podcast, Roddick acknowledged the immense pressure of delivering a speech in such devastating moments, particularly after his 2009 loss, where he feared breaking down if he spoke too soon. He praised Ben Shelton’s post-US Open speech for its authenticity and impact, suggesting that such moments can reshape public perception of defeated players.

Roddick proposed a simple solution: letting runners-up choose whether to give a speech at all, whether opting for a brief thanks or declining entirely—even if it means disappointing TV networks. His perspective underscores the raw difficulty of performing under such intense emotional strain, where even a composed moment can be seen as a triumph of resilience.