Follow us on Google Discover In 2003, Andy Roddick achieved a lifelong dream by becoming a Grand Slam winner, emerging victorious at the US Open.
Roddick was a big-serving performer who also reached three Wimbledon finals during his career, coming up against the irresistible – and often unbeatable – Roger Federer.
The biggest win of Roddick’s career saw him become the world number one, and across his career, he managed to win 32 titles on the ATP Tour.
These days, Roddick has a superb podcast called Served and when he talks about tennis, fans everywhere tend to stand up and take notice.
Now, he’s been interviewed on another podcast, and he was asked to pick who he thinks the four best female players of all time are.
Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesAndy Roddick names Serena Williams in his four greatest female players of all time
During an interview with Dax Shepard, Roddick names his four greatest female tennis players ever.
The names probably won’t come as a surprise, with Serena Williams one of the players on his list of names that he felt made the grade to be considered in the GOAT category.
He said: “You have to separate between male and female. The best three female players ever, in my mind, are – I have to make four!
“Chrissy Evert, Martina, Steffi and Serena.
“Novak, Roger and Rafa have ruined sport for everyone else because they were so good.
“It’s like Alcaraz has six Slams already, that’s as many as icons of our sport, and now it’s like well [Djokovic] got 24.
“McEnroe got seven and Alcaraz has six at 22-years-old. He is that great, but also the question is now if he can win 20. The record before those guys was 14!”
What happened when Andy Roddick played Serena Williams
Yes, you did really read that right, Andy Roddick has played Serena Williams previously.
At age 11, Roddick and Williams faced each other and it proved a one-sided affair with the 2003 US Open champion winning the match with a 6-0 outcome.
It’s claimed that Venus Williams was keen to gain some retribution for her sister, but there is no evidence of that particular match taking place.
Comparing Andy Roddick’s top five greatest female players of all time
Four absolute legends in their own right but when it comes to Evert, Navratilova, Williams and Graf, just who was the best?
Chris Evert’s career achievements
- Grand Slams won – 18
- Weeks at number one – 76
- WTA Titles – 154
- WTA Finals wins – 4
Martina Navratilova’s career achievements
- Grand Slams won – 18
- Weeks at number one – 156
- WTA titles – 167
- WTA Finals wins – 8
Serena Williams’ career achievements
- Grand Slams won – 24
- Weeks at number one – 186
- WTA titles – 73
- WTA Finals wins – 5
- Olympic medals – 4 (All gold)
Steffi Graf’s career achievements
- Grand Slams won – 22
- Weeks at number one – 186
- WTA titles – 107
- WTA Finals wins – 5
- Olympic medals 3 (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
Comparing Andy Roddick’s five greatest female players
The numbers suggest that all four of Roddick’s picks would make a great argument to be named the greatest female tennis player of all time.
However, the number of Grand Slams won probably gives Williams the edge, especially considering she managed to maintain her high level on a jam-packed modern-day schedule.
Williams also has four gold medals to her name too and when it comes to tennis, only her sister Venus Williams can match that haul of golds at the Olympics.
Coco Gauff has spoken of her fondness for Williams in the past and as a result, the 24-time Grand Slam winner has also been a brilliant role model for players on the WTA Tour.
All four of the players are worthy picks by Roddick when discussing the greatest female tennis player of all-time but whether there is some recency bias or not, Williams would probably get the nod over the three more often than not.