"Wouldn't be Serena Williams' responsibility to go put a men's event"- Andy Roddick rubbishes women's version feedback about Roger Federer's Laver Cup
Andy Roddick recently rubbished the feedback about Roger Federer’s brainchild event, the Laver Cup, not creating a women’s version. With Serena Williams as the example, he noted that he would maintain his position if the situation was reversed.
The seventh edition of Roger Federer’s Laver Cup recently concluded in Berlin with Team Europe winning their fifth title. Many new and young faces, including Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton, made the Team Europe and Team World lineups.
With the event gaining traction, many fans questioned the absence of a women’s equivalent. Addressing the issue on the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, Andy Roddick said:
"Ultimately, Laver Cup becomes successful; becomes a fixture. And in lot of the feedback, anytime I mention the Laver Cup, it’s like, ‘Oh, well there is this bias because they don’t do it for women,’" he said, recalling the scrutiny.
The former World No. 1 opined that Roger Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, shouldn’t be compelled to assume the responsibility for the lack of a women’s event.
"I’m like, okay, wait a minute, time out. Whose responsibility is it to make an event? Is it Tony Godsick’s responsibility to go outside of his lane and create another event? There’s no time! It’s a venue – an arena – you’re doubling your costs. That’s not on him to do," the American said.
Roddick also clarified that he would've had the same opinion had the situation been the other way around, with the likes of Serena Williams leading the way.
"By the way, I would be saying the exact same thing if the situation was reversed. And Serena had started something and it was a wild success. It wouldn’t be Serena’s responsibility to go put a men’s event together as well, to bring them in to something that is successful," he said.
"Just copy and paste this event" – Andy Roddick on women's equivalent of Roger Federer's Laver Cup
On the same podcast, Andy Roddick said that if any investor wishes to make a women’s version of the Laver Cup, they mustn't hesitate, considering the format has already been established.
"If you’re a huge investor in women’s tennis, then go just copy and paste this event," Roddick said.
Doubling down, the 2003 US Open champion said that the event could be named after the likes of Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova, or the legends could contribute in some capacity.
"Chrissie-Martina – naming isn’t the issue. Go do. The blueprint is there. Go find an arena; go find a market. You don’t need hundred players. I don’t understand why it’s Laver Cup’s responsibility to go do that," he said.