Andy Roddick has defended Serena Williams after the tennis icon skipped her mandatory post-match press conference following a first-round defeat at Wimbledon. Williams, 44, lost 6-3 7-6 6-3 to 20-year-old Maya Joint in her first singles match in over four years.
Roddick praises Williams' media stance
Speaking on the Served podcast, Roddick said he 'kind of love that she still cares enough to be salty about press.' He added: 'I've got to be honest.' The 2003 US Open champion also expressed admiration for Williams' performance, noting that any analysis of her now is 'against her own shadow.'
Williams missed her post-match media duties, with Wimbledon officials releasing a brief statement instead. The Grand Slam Rulebook requires players to attend such duties unless unable on reasonable grounds. Her absence drew criticism, but Roddick supported her decision.
Williams' Wimbledon return
Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, received a singles wildcard from SW19 bosses after also being granted a doubles wildcard to play with her sister Venus. Despite showing flashes of her former brilliance, she was outplayed by world number 87 Joint, who had been on an 11-match losing streak.
Roddick believes Williams will seek a wildcard for the US Open. 'If I know Serena at all, she will be p****d and think she can still beat these players,' he said. 'I don't think she can help herself, it's not how her mind works.'
Joint's victory
Joint, who ended her losing streak with the win, said in her on-court interview: 'I didn't get much sleep last night, I was up until 2am just thinking about it. Serena has so much aura, she is such a legend.' She faces world number 32 Alexandra Eala in the second round.
The Williams sisters are scheduled for doubles action on Thursday against Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio.
