Andy Roddick says Iga Swiatek makes him want to 'vomit' but with a catch

Andy Roddick never knew what it was like to be successful at the French Open. That does not mean Roddick got close to ever winning the Grand Slam. He didn't. The best Roddick ever did was in the fourth round in 2009. He was bounced out in the first round five times.

Roddick admitted was never a good clay-court player. The former ATP No. 1 made the Wimbledon finals three times, and he made the finals at the US Open twice, including winning the event in 2003. He still understands what skills a player must have to win at Roland Garros, and he knows Iga Swiatek has those skills.

On a recent episode of his excellent podcast, Served with Andy Roddick, the American was effusive in his praise of Swiatek. He spoke at length about how easily Swiatek glides around the court at the French Open, and how each movement sets her up for the next. Her four Roland Garros titles are only three away from all-time leader Chris Evert.

Andy Roddick has the perfect turn of phrase to compliment Iga Swiatek

Roddick also had an interesting, and quite funny turn of phrase about the way Swiatek moves on clay. He was not poking fun but was in awe of her ability.

He said, "...I think the way that she is efficient with her movement—she is sliding, she's hitting, and then at the end of the slide she's already a foot back towards the center...it's all done in this one motion which makes me want to vomit with jealousy."

Vomit with jealousy. Surely Roddick is not the first to say that, although the context in which he uses the phrase is perfect. Most people who have ever picked up a racket would probably like to be able to play the way Swiatek does on clay. At only 23 years old, she should be the favorite at the French Open for the next eight to ten years.

The most majors won on the WTA tour in the Open era is 23 by Serena Williams. Swiatek has to win 18 more to catch her, and as the Pole has not yet shown she is capable of winning a major on every surface, catching Williams seems unlikely. Swiatek should surpass Chris Evert's total of seven French Open titles, though. The Pole might even reach that mark in 2028.

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