Andy Roddick reveals cancer treatment in brave statement on his YouTube show
Former world No 1 has opened up about his skin cancer treatments, as he revealed he has a tumour taken out of his lip.
Tennis players are exposed to the sum more than most as they travel around the world and play in countries that tend to be in the midst of the hottest and sunniest part of their year.
It means that practice sessions and matches are often played in blazing sunshine and former US Open champion Roddick said on his Served podcast that he has been receiving treatment for various issues since he hung up his rackets for the last time as a professional.
“I’ve dealt with various types of skin cancer since I stopped playing,” he stated.
“I had a squamous cell tumor taken out of my lip, probably like five or six years ago, I haven’t ever talked about it.
“This morning we went into this face laser thing that’s why for those of you watching on YouTube it looks like I got in a fight.”
He then went on to urge all his listeners to learn from the issues he has suffered, as he suggested sensible use of suncream is the best option to avoid skin cancer.
“It stinks. I think I’m going to be a general kind of hatchet job for the rest of my life,” he continued.
“Won’t go into the ‘woe was me’ part of it, because nothing is wrong, everything is good but, use sunscreen.
“Put sunscreen on your kids, especially if they are tennis players. The problem won’t present itself when the kid is eight, but it might present itself when that kid is grown and is 38.
“Greener pastures ahead. I’ve made it a habit to get checked time after time after time. At the moment, we are all good.”
Roddick’s statement will have a big impact as his Serve podcast is now reaching a huge audience.
His engaging presenting style and unique insight into the tennis world has quickly established Served as the most interesting tennis podcast in the sport, leaving other more established podcasts trailing in its wake.
The podcast is part of Roddick’s deal with the Tennis Channel and his vow to give listeners and no-holes barred experience has will help to engage a new audience in the sport.
“Tennis Channel viewers are as passionate about the sport as I am, are smart and expect the truth—no sugar coating,” said Roddick when the podcast was initially launched.
“We’re going to give them that each week on T2 and have a lot of fun in the process.”
Roddick has spoken to high profile ex-players in the game like Lindsay Davenport and Tommy Haas, while also welcoming current players onto the platform as he uses his contacts book to take his show to the next level.
Now, by talking a personal issues like his skin cancer scare, Roddick is not only driving new interest in tennis, but he is also engaging with his younger audience to learn from his experience of being exposed to the sun.