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Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Maria Sharapova recalls when Andy Roddick ‘pulled a trick' on her first visit to Paris: ‘Looked like they're from Moulin Rouge'
Tennis great Maria Sharapova recalled in a podcast with Andy Roddick how the American ace once 'pulled a trick' on her while they were competing in Paris. Speaking on the podcast 'Served with Andy Roddick', Sharapova said she was about '19 or 20' and on her first visit to Paris. 'I'm setting context here. Place Vendome (an upscale area of Paris), I was staying at the Park Hyatt for the very first time,' she said. 'You (Roddick) were staying at that hotel. And because I didn't know the area, I said, 'Hey, Andy, you've been here before. Can you give me a few restaurant recommendations for dinner?' And he's like, 'Oh yeah, no, absolutely. There's one around the corner. It's called Hotel Coast.' 'And I was like, oh, great. So, you know, it's my dad and, you know, a few of my male team members, my trainer, coach, and physical therapist: four boys and me. So we walk into the… It's a hotel and it's, like, meant to be a trendy hotel. I didn't know it at the time. We walked in and they sat us down. 'And every server, I mean, looks like they're from Moulin Rouge. And I was like, this guy must be sh**ting me. He really, he just, he purposely took me as a 19-year-old to this, it looked like a show. Like really short skirts and a lot of cleavage. And my team was like, Andy, Andy is the best. I stood up and I walked out. Because I thought you were pulling a trick on me,' Sharapova said, laughing. Roddick pleaded innocence, replying: 'I don't know what kind of room you and your team requested there. Every meal I've ever had there was respectable. The food was great. Nice little music, dim lighting…' However, Roddick — known for being a prankster on the tour — conceded 'That sounds like something I might have done. I'm not going to fully deny it.' Sharapova reflected on a range of topics during the free-wheeling interview and also opened up on motherhood. She said how 'depending on the mood' she calls her son, Theodore by two names. 'We chose a name that would sound similar in both languages. I use Theodore when it's like, let's get this shit done. Because I just, I don't have an extra minute of mental capacity, not physical, mental,' she said. 'And it's Theo every time else. Sharapova also touched upon how parenthood has changed the meaning of Saturdays for her since her playing days. When someone asked me, 'What is your favourite day of the week?' Saturday was my favourite day of the week. Because that is a Grand Slam final. That's where I want it to be. And now when Saturday comes along and you're like, where is my nanny? There's no school. There's no nanny. You're like, I don't know if Saturday's my favourite day.' She added: 'A typical Saturday… it all kind of depends. We travel quite a bit. Our life, I mean, Alexander's family is in the UK. So we spend a lot of time in Europe. In the States, it's all, you know, in California, it's the farmer's market. We like to cook. We're homebodies. So it's not, I wouldn't say it's super exciting, but it's very family oriented.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'So plan B was okay': Maria Sharapova emotionally opens up about life lessons from father Yuri Sharapov
Maria Sharapova emotionally opens up about life lessons from father Yuri Sharapov (Image via Getty) Maria Sharapova , on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast in August 2025, shared something very personal: she told how her father, Yuri Sharapov, gave her and her family the greatest gift. She explained that 'success wasn't my parents' plan', and that having a safety net allowed her dreams to grow without fear. Because of Yuri, she and her family always had a plan B- back home, a roof and a place to return, if tennis didn't work out. That strong base shaped her choices on and off court. Maria Sharapova reveals how father Yuri Sharapov gave her the greatest gift Maria Sharapova said that her father Yuri made sure the family had everything they needed where they came from. That meant they could dream big, but they also had a home to fall back on if things didn't go well. "I think one of the greatest gifts that my father provided me and my family was that we had everything we needed where we came from. And so plan B was okay. Success wasn't our only plan or my parents' plan. If it didn't work out, we could go back to a lifestyle where we had a roof over our head," Maria Sharapova said. The Maria Sharapova Interview | Served with Andy Roddick Then she added something simple and wise: 'But the greatest gift he gave me was making sure that you just wake up and commit. You do what you have to … and that good week turns into a month and that month turns into a year.' She spoke of Yuri's lesson of steady hard work, day by day and how that made her who she is. Even now, Maria Sharapova still turns to her father for advice, whether for business decisions or life questions. She said Yuri always told her to give her best and let things unfold naturally, and that he never saw himself as above anyone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health and comfort: the comfiest slip-on shoes of the year Ultra-Comfortable Shoes Undo Maria Sharapova shares how Yuri Sharapov shaped her tennis journey from childhood Maria Sharapova was born in April 1987, to Yuri Sharapova and Yelena, in Gomel, Byelorussian SSR. They left soon after her birth because of fears about the effects of the Chernobyl accident. Also Read: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's daughter Jaz shows sweet support for dad's thoughtful leadership speech When she was about six, Yuri Sharapov met Aleksandr Kafelnikov and got her a first racquet. That sparked her love for tennis. By 1993, she attended a clinic led by Martina Navratilova, who urged Yuri to move the family to the United States so Maria could train and grow. In 1994, Yuri took her to Florida on a small budget, just US$700 and worked odd jobs so she could train at the Nick Bollettieri Academy. For about twenty years, Yuri Sharapov coached her and laid the foundation for her tennis career. Maria acknowledged that only because of that early guidance could she follow the path he paved. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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First Post
20-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
'He's not trying to bring me in': How Novak Djokovic helped Jannik Sinner improve his game with feedback
In a sensational revelation, Jannik Sinner's coach shared that a few tips from Novak Djokovic in 2022 helped drastically improve the Italian's game. read more Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill has revealed how Novak Djokovic's feedback on the Italian's game helped him make the current world No.1 a much better player. Djokovic shared his frank feedback, which included Sinner lacking variation, height on the net and failing to attack serve, after he beat the three-time Grand Slam winner in the quarter-finals of the 2022 Wimbledon. On the podcast 'Served with Andy Roddick,' Sinner's coach Cahill revealed that he approached Djokovic after the Serbian defeated his player to understand where the youngster can improve. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Hits the ball great, but there's no variation. So you know, there's no shape on his shot. There's no height over the net. Doesn't come to the net. He's not trying to bring me in, I know that he returns well, but he's not attacking my serve on the return of serve,' Cahill said while explaining the feedback Djokovic gave. Djokovic's feedback helps Sinner improve his game 'Novak got used to his ball, got used to the shape, got used to the pace and then just locked in, like Novak does, and doesn't miss. And won the last three sets reasonably easily,' Cahill said while talking about the 2022 match. 'And I saw Novak, and he's always great with this, he's always been incredible when you tap him on the shoulder. And I said, 'Hey listen, I've just started with Jannik, don't tell me anything you don't want to tell me, but can I ask what you were feeling out there?' And he was incredible.' Cahill later shared the feedback with Sinner and they together started bringing in the required changes to his game. 'So he went through his whole game and broke it down. It wasn't like it was revelations to what we didn't know about Jannik and what we were trying to change in his game. 'But when you take that conversation and sit down with a young man like Jannik Sinner and say,' Hey, listen, I just spoke to Novak and this is what he thinks', that leaves a big impression on a young player. So for Jannik it's: 'Right, give it to me. Let's start doing these changes'.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since the 2022 defeat, Sinner has gone on to win two Australian Open and one US Open titles.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Former legend Andy Roddick spits fire as he places tennis players above NBA ones as best set of athletes
Andy Roddick. Photo via Getty Images Unapologetic comments across the world of different sports are a common thing in today's time, and tennis world legend Andy Roddick joined the club after his comments on the fitness comparison between tennis players and NBA athletes . Roddick executed a detailed breakdown of his claims by bringing in the aspect of time, coordination, cooperation and communication, which vary between both sports. Andy Roddick breaks down the reason for tennis players being best set of athletes, draws comparison between NBA and tennis players Andy Roddick has earned significant applause for himself in the world of tennis. The former athlete was ranked number 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals for 13 straight weeks, with 32 ATP singles titles as well as 1 major at the 2003 US Open. While the world knows him for his skills, his unapologetic comments have left an impression on fans across different sports as well. During the latest episode of Served with Andy Roddick, the player revealed his thoughts on the set of the best athletes in the world, '5 hours and 40 minutes on the biggest stages. Like to just put this into context. And since it's on TNT and they're coming off of having done basketball for a long time. And this isn't to say one thing doesn't mean you're throwing shade at someone else. I'm celebrating and applauding one set of athletes.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo ARE TENNIS PLAYERS THE BEST ATHLETES IN THE WORLD? Roddick did a detailed breakdown of both tennis and basketball in order to frame his argument, 'An NBA game is 48 minutes played in air conditioning where you have teammates halftime, timeouts and communication. I think tennis players are the best athletes in the world. And the more I watch it, the more I think it.' The athlete's sole arguments revolved around the endurance of the athletes, 'It's the most complete examination of an athlete that I can think of. We used to get viewed as, 'Oh, you're soft, like [a] country club sport.' I don't know that that narrative exists.' Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Dallas Mavericks could bag $238 million Utah Jazz superstar to support Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving Andy Roddick unapologetically drew a comparison between two sports that are played in different ways. While basketball is a team game, tennis is played by a single person (max 2 individuals) on each side. Up until now, there has been no response from the world of basketball.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Rafael Nadal lauds Jannik Sinner for ‘keeping focus' during doping case
Rafael Nadal has described Jannik Sinner 's ability to retain focus on his tennis as 'amazing', despite the distraction of his doping case. Nadal, who retired last November as Spain lost in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup Finals, was speaking on former pro Andy Roddick 's podcast, Served with Andy Roddick, in a wide-ranging interview covering everything from his decision to retire to his rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Sinner, the world No 1, has been embroiled in a lengthy saga over two positive tests for clostebol last year, and eventually agreed to a three-month suspension in a settlement with WADA, which will last until the Italian Open in May. 'We showed the world that we can be the biggest rivals but at the same time, we can be colleagues, we can have a good personal relationship,' Nadal said. 'I think that shows a positive example to the next generations, I am proud of that. 'I think that helps this new generation to understand you don't need to hate your opponents, you can respect, you can appreciate the opponent, because in the end they are an important part of your life, so you don't need to hate opponents to give your best.' Roddick drew comparisons between Nadal's on- and off-court demeanour and that of the new generation of top tennis talent, including Nadal's Spain teammate Carlos Alcaraz and five-time major winner Iga Swiatek. 'Carlos is a great kid,' Nadal, who played doubles with the 21-year-old at the Olympics last year, said. 'Great guy with a very good family behind him, with positive values. Humble. They're good people. That's why I think Carlos is how he is. Because in the end, the values you receive at home, the way you're educated is the way that you show up. I see the same with Iga. 'Jannik is another good guy. Not much of a show off. He's focused on what he's doing. Of course, he went through a very tough process the last year. It's amazing the way he was able to keep being focused on what he's doing. 'It's a new generation of great tennis players. I think they're going to keep helping this beautiful sport to grow and to engage fans.' Nadal also shared the moment he made the decision to retire, bringing the curtain down on a career spanning two decades and 22 grand slam titles - including 14 French Opens, a record that is unlikely to ever be surpassed. The Spaniard endured a torrid time with injuries in his final years as a professional, memorably winning the French Open in 2022 despite having a numb foot from injections to numb an injury, and ultimately felt his body had had enough. 'Inside myself, I was not able to move the way that I was used to moving,' he explained. 'After Olympics [in Paris, when he lost in the second round of the singles], I came back home and said it's over, I feel it. 'Before I didn't feel it, I wanted to give myself the time. After that, I say okay, it doesn't make sense, I don't feel like with this issue I'm going to come back and be competitive at the level that motivates me. When I felt that, it was over.'
