Roddick To Provide Dream Charity Experience At Home Of The US Open

Andy Roddick hasn’t played inside Arthur Ashe Stadium — the US Open’s centre court — since retiring in 2012. But for charity, the American will return to Flushing Meadows to provide three lucky people with the opportunity of a lifetime.

Former World No. 1 Roddick will play a doubles match with the winner of an #AllInChallenge charity auction and two guests on the same court where he lifted his lone major trophy 17 years ago. He will also share a meal with the trio.

“I don’t play much anymore, but still like my chances against most,” Roddick tweeted, following that with a smiley face.

Anyone want to play me at Arthur Ashe Stadium? I don’t play much anymore, but still like my chances against most 🙂 Thanks to @usta @usopen for providing access! Bid below! https://t.co/Nhl8driffU

— andyroddick (@andyroddick) April 25, 2020

Roddick, who says the USTA is allowing him to use the court for this cause. is trying to raise money for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceeds will go towards Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, World Central Kitchen and No Kid Hungry. With more than two weeks left in the auction, the current bid is $12,000.

Learn More About The Auction & Bid

Roddick consistently involves himself in philanthropy through his Andy Roddick Foundation.

On 3 April, the foundation, which typically focusses on after-school and summer programming, announced the creation of a Family Emergency Fund to help those families in Austin, Texas, in new ways during the coronavirus pandemic. Roddick told ATPTour.com that even the smallest donation will help. Not only does the closing of schools hurt childhood education, but he says there are families in the area that rely on the two meals per day kids get at school.

“It’s a huge deal. If you think about the cost of groceries, even the smallest donation can cover groceries for a day, which in these times is huge. That was our first goal: we’ve got to replace these two meals a day, to not throw a family that’s already potentially in a stressful situation in a financially stressful situation,” Roddick said. “Thankfully we do plan ahead so we do have a little bit of a runway, but we also have staff and food and there are so many different needs we have to fill right now. Anything we can get helps, and the Austin community has been amazing… Every little bit at this moment in time can make the difference for a family.”