Andy Roddick drops hints about mystery player whom he respects the least, and it's not Nick Kyrgios

Andy Roddick recently gave clues about a player he “respects the least.” Although the American has had disagreements with Nick Kyrgios, it wasn’t the Aussie he was referring to.

On his latest episode of the “Served with Andy Roddick” podcast, the former World No. 1 was asked by his co-host, journalist Jon Wertheim, to name the players he respected the most and the least. Responding to the latter, Roddick insisted that the player's identity was irrelevant. Keeping the name secret, he explained “why” he disliked this mystery colleague.

"The ‘why’ is more important. It’s not because I don’t respect people as humans," he clarified.

Andy Roddick said that the player’s natural talent combined with his lack of effort bothered him.

"I would reach a point of anger/jealousy with people who were insanely talented, who wouldn't do the work," he said.

He called out this mystery colleague’s “showboating” behavior on the court, claiming that varying reactions were influenced by the scoreline.

"When things are going well, they are pumping up the crowd or doing this whole showboating thing," he said. "And when it's going the wrong way, they are limping around with injuries that aren't real and kind of going away."

Giving subtle hints about the player’s identity, Andy Roddick said:

"I won't name a name but there's a player who is probably the fastest guy I have ever seen, best body I have ever seen, and his career-high ranking is No. 6 or 7."

He also recalled that he once furiously confronted this player after losing their match, an incident he “regretted instantly.”

"I got into it one time irrationally with him, he’s like the nicest guy in the world. And I lost to him and I was so pissed," Roddick said.

The American apparently made a blunt remark about the player having insufficient titles despite possessing the skills.

"I said something along the lines that I regretted instantly, like 'If I had won as many tournaments as you with your talent, I’d f**king quit.' And I meant it. But it's not because he is not a nice person, it's just because like guys who have the ability and chose not to use it drive me crazy," Andy Roddick said.

---

Andy Roddick: "I'd love to see Nick Kyrgios in full flight"

Roddick pictured at the 2024 US Open - Image Source: Getty

In the same podcast, Andy Roddick suggested that, although the shoe fits, he wasn’t talking about Nick Kyrgios, who he’s had arguments with in recent times.

"And just to be (clear), (Nick Kyrgios) is not the guy I was talking about at first," the 2003 US Open champion said.

He also opined that the Aussie, who hasn’t competed in almost two years, is “great for the sport” and should explore his on-court potential.

"You know (Nick Kyrgios) is great for the sport. I wish he was around more often. I'd love to see him in full flight, committing to three years of the right decisions," Roddick said about the former World No. 13.