Andy Roddick announces return to Wimbledon and US Open in new challenge.

After more than a decade away from the spotlight of tennis, Andy Roddick is set to make a triumphant return, but this time not with a racket in hand, but with a microphone. ESPN recently announced a multi-year agreement with the iconic 2003 US Open champion and former world number one, confirming that Roddick will join the broadcast team as an analyst starting in 2026, covering both Wimbledon and the US Open.

This new phase of Roddick’s career marks a significant comeback, especially considering that he retired from professional tennis in 2012, after an impressive 13-year career that culminated in 32 ATP singles titles and four Grand Slam finals. With three Wimbledon finals (2004, 2005, 2009) and a runner-up finish at the 2006 US Open, Roddick remained among the top ten players in the world for nine consecutive seasons, from 2002 to 2010. He also played a crucial role in the United States’ 2007 Davis Cup victory and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017.

Although Roddick has maintained a relatively low profile since his retirement, he surprised many during special appearances, particularly in 2015 with the BBC at Wimbledon. His insightful analysis and straightforward delivery made him a natural presence on television, even as he chose to avoid constant exposure in the following years.

However, everything changed in 2024 when he launched the podcast “Served with Andy Roddick,” a production of Served Media, a company he co-founded with veteran producer Michael Hayden. The show quickly gained popularity, amassing nearly 200,000 subscribers on YouTube and expanding its reach through distribution deals, including with the Vox Media Podcast Network. By the end of 2025, the podcast had generated over $2 million in annual revenue, highlighting Roddick’s growing presence in the media space.

With ESPN securing this new voice for its major tennis events, ESPN’s Vice President of Production, Linda Schulz, expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled to welcome Andy to our team. ESPN has been leading the way in delivering in-depth tennis analysis, and with several recent talent additions, we have further strengthened our coverage. Andy brings a distinct, energetic, and highly relevant voice that will elevate both our studio and on-court coverage.”

After more than ten years away from the big stages, Roddick did not hide his happiness when discussing his return to this new role. “I’m just a huge fan of tennis. I’m really excited to join the ESPN tennis team and looking forward to covering the two biggest tournaments in the world,” the former player stated.

This change comes at a time when ESPN is restructuring its tennis coverage, having recently revamped its team for the Australian Open, with the departure of veteran analysts such as Pam Shriver, Brad Gilbert, and Darren Cahill. New voices, such as Chris Eubanks and CoCo Vandeweghe, have been included, and the addition of Roddick for Wimbledon and the US Open is seen as a significant hire by many industry experts.

Roddick, the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title at the US Open in 2003, has established a strong second career in media since his retirement. His podcast, “Served with Andy Roddick,” has been praised for its candid conversations and sharp analysis, helping him build a new connection with modern tennis audiences.

The announcement also received praise from Andy Murray, three-time Grand Slam champion, who commented: “This is a great deal for tennis. Andy is absolutely brilliant on his podcast. Great knowledge of the game, well-researched, speaks well, loves tennis, is fun, enjoys debating, and, my God, tennis needs a lot more of this in its broadcasts.”

This praise from a long-time rival reflects Roddick’s growing influence in the media landscape. He is no stranger to television; after retiring, he joined Fox Sports in 2013 as a co-host of “FOX Sports Live,” where he stayed for two years before stepping away in 2015. Although he has avoided full-time broadcasting roles since then, the recent success of his podcast has brought him back to the forefront of tennis conversations.

Now, with Wimbledon and the US Open back on his agenda, Andy Roddick’s return represents more than just nostalgia. It is a new chapter – one that combines experience, personality, and a deep love for the sport that he has never truly left behind. What do you think of Roddick’s new role in two of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world?