Roddick Calls Santoro's Dance Request to Sabalenka Weird After 7-5, 6-3 French Open Win
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 2
Roddick Calls Santoro's Dance Request to Sabalenka Weird After 7-5, 6-3 French Open Win
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 2
Andy Roddick said Fabrice Santoro's on-court request that Aryna Sabalenka dance after beating Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 at Roland-Garros was "such a weird thing to ask" in a professional setting.
Santoro, conducting the post-match interview, asked for music and then urged Sabalenka to moonwalk as Michael Jackson's "Thriller" played; she complied after initial hesitation.
Roddick said he understands the push to show players' personalities, but argued the exchange crossed a line even as he praised Sabalenka for going along with it.
The moment came amid a French Open run in which Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic had drawn attention for celebratory dances; Djokovic's exit ended that subplot, while Sabalenka now faces No. 25 Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals.