Andy Roddick on Williams Sisters Return: “Women’s Tennis Needs That Dominating Figure”

Andy Roddick sounds more than pleased to hear of the return of Serena and Venus Williams to women’s tennis. Speaking Thursday in Queen’s, Roddick said their return to the sport will give the game a big boost and some much needed direction at the top.

“Well, it’s great,” Roddick said after his win over Fernando Verdasco. “I mean, I think, you know, no disrespect to any of the women that are playing right now, but I think women’s tennis needs that dominating figure.”

Venus has been injured with a hip while Serena hasn’t hit a tennis ball since Wimbledon last year. Despite her time off, Roddic still says Serena can win the title.

“I think she [Serena] still is that personality, and, you know, certainly gonna probably be the top storyline going into Wimbledon,” Roddick said. “I don’t think it would shock anybody if she came through and won it again. I think that it’s very smart of her to play a leadup event, especially after being gone for a year. I think I speak for most people in tennis whereas you want her in the game for so many reasons, you know; not only because she wins and she’s a great champion, but, you know, she creates, you know, brings pop culture to tennis.

“She brings crossover appeal and creates storylines even when she’s not trying, which at the end of the day is a healthy thing for our sport.”

Serena and Venus are scheduled to play in the Aegon Eastbourne event next week then Wimbledon. Roddick just got blown out by Andy Murray 63, 61 in the Queen’s semifinals this morning.