Andy Roddick defends Iga Swiatek following her impressive victory at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, where she secured her 24th career title and reclaimed the World No. 2 ranking. Swiatek’s strong performance this season, including her recent success in Cincinnati, has sparked debate on her relevance, which Roddick addressed decisively.
Swiatek’s Dominance in the 2025 Cincinnati Open
Iga Swiatek’s run at the Cincinnati Open was flawless, as she won every match in straight sets. In the final, she defeated Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 to claim her first title at this event. Her path to the championship included a semifinal victory over Elena Rybakina, with a 7-5, 6-3 scoreline. This Cincinnati win marked her 11th WTA 1000 level title, placing her just behind Serena Williams on the all-time list for this category. Throughout 2025, Swiatek has compiled an impressive 49-12 match record, backing strong tournament performances with a series of significant trophy wins, including her maiden Wimbledon title earlier in July.
Andy Roddick Responds to Criticism of Swiatek’s Impact
After the joint Instagram post by former Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick celebrating Swiatek’s latest success, a negative comment appeared questioning public interest in her achievements. The troll’s remark,
“Does anyone really care about her?”
received a sharp reply from Roddick’s podcast team. Expressing firm support, the response was simply: “Yes.” This defense reflects the high regard that Roddick holds for Swiatek’s place in women’s tennis.
Confronting Media Scrutiny Around Swiatek’s Career
Swiatek has faced considerable pressure and criticism, particularly from the Polish media, following a doping controversy in late 2024. She tested positive for trimetazidine, later traced to contaminated melatonin, resulting in a one-month suspension. The investigation cleared her of significant wrongdoing. In the wake of this ordeal, Roddick publicly criticized Polish sports journalists who harshly targeted Swiatek, calling such treatment unfair and unwarranted.
“I think that she complaints about the Polish media, which I’m sorry if you’re like a journalist, a sports journalist in Poland and you are crushing Iga on a week to week basis, you’re a f****** m****. You are. I’m sorry. Like she’s the greatest, you know, sports person you’ve ever had,” Andy Roddick said.
Roddick’s comments underline the importance of respecting Swiatek’s achievements and the challenges she has overcome, rather than subjecting her to constant criticism.
Looking Ahead: Swiatek’s Upcoming US Open Mixed Doubles Event
Following her victory in Cincinnati, Iga Swiatek quickly transitioned to prepare for the 2025 US Open, where she will compete in the mixed doubles tournament. She traveled by private jet with the men’s singles champion, Carlos Alcaraz, to join their respective teams in New York. This momentum suggests Swiatek is poised to maintain her competitive form in the late summer and fall events on the tennis calendar.