Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick has publicly criticized a broadcaster for asking Aryna Sabalenka to dance during a post-match interview at the French Open.
The incident occurred after Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in the first women's night session at Roland-Garros in three years.
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During the on-court interview, French broadcaster Fabrice Santoro requested Sabalenka to dance for the crowd and asked for music to be played.
Sabalenka playfully complied, but Roddick voiced his displeasure on his podcast "Served."
"I like him, but saying, 'Will you dance for us?' is just such a weird thing to ask," Roddick said.
"I don't like it.
And then when she does it a little bit and it's kind of over, to then ask her to moonwalk… I don't know."
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Roddick argued that such requests put athletes in a lose-lose situation, as refusing could lead to public backlash.
"Props to her for doing it, but I just thought it was weird.
I think that's such a strange thing to ask somebody to do in a professional setting," he added.
The American drew parallels to a 2015 Australian Open incident where Eugenie Bouchard was asked to "twirl" to show her outfit, which sparked accusations of sexism.
"You have limited time to interview the greats, and this is the content you ask for? I'd prefer something with a little bit more depth," Roddick concluded.
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Sabalenka, the world No. 1, continues her quest for a fifth Grand Slam title and faces Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals.
