Former US tennis star Andy Roddick detailed the shocking moment he was allegedly robbed by a supposed police officer while playing in Russia at the 2006 Davis Cup – before deleting the claim on social media. Roddick, 41, the 2003 US Open champion, was teaming up with James Blake, Bob Bryan, and Mike Bryan to represent the USA at the prestigious team event and the team secured a 4-1 win over Romania to advance to the quarter-finals.
A 3-2 win over Chile then set up a semifinal date with home nation Russia, however, that’s where their run came to an end, being defeated 3-2. The defeat to Russia wasn’t the only disappointing event in Moscow, though. Roddick was robbed by an alleged police officer, who told him to hand over cash or go to jail.
“I got robbed by a police officer on the street in Russia in 2006 when we were there for Davis Cup,” Roddick said on X. “True story. Came up and said how much cash do you have? I said $300… he simply said give it to me or go to jail. I paid it and he went on his way. No emotion. Transactional. Let’s not get to that level of normalizing crazy s***. It ain’t it. Never went back.”
When pressed on why he didn’t go public with this story at the time, Roddick said the unpredictable nature saw him decide to not make a “stink”. He added: “I wanted to do my job and get out of there safely. At that time, I didn’t wanna make a stink incase it was just a bad actor. Looking back, I now understand the surrounding factors.”
Yet Roddick has now deleted his claim on social media.
Roddick’s motive behind revealing his bad experience in Russia is unknown. But the ex-tennis star has been vocal on social media in recent days surrounding the death of Alexei Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most formidable domestic rival. Navalny died in prison, falling unconscious after a walk, however, doubt has been cast over the happening of the events. Roddick has retweeted a series of posts on X surrounding the passing of Navalny.
Roddick retired from singles action in 2012 and doubles in 2015. He was the world No. 1 in 2003, the year he won the US Open. He reached the Wimbledon singles final three times and the Australian Open semifinals four times.
Roddick is still very much active in tennis as a pundit and commentator. He’s not shy to criticise today’s generation of tennis stars either, including Spanish sensation, Carlos Alcaraz. Roddick hit out at the regression of Alcaraz’s speed of serve.
“I think his serve leaves a lot to be desired. That is the one thing that I don’t think has really improved much at all in the last two years,” he said. “I remember watching him, kinda his breakout – we knew about him – but winning Miami a couple of years ago and he was serving 135, and now I feel like he’s serving 127.”
