Brand new Austin restaurant BOA Steakhouse hosted a casino night party and Spill the ATX was there! In addition to celebrating their grand opening, the event benefitted The Andy Roddick Foundation, helping to raise funds for ARF’s programs. More on that in a bit.

Roddick and wife Brooklyn Decker were at the event and we got a chance to speak with each of them. As we first reported in 2022, the part-time Austinites now spend the majority of their time in Charlotte, NC.

Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick Talk Favorite Things About Austin

We asked them each what they miss most about ATX. Decker says she misses the entrepreneurial spirit of the women in Austin. Roddick, meanwhile, says he misses the energy. He’s also quick to point out that it will always home. “It’s like hugging your favorite relative,” he says.

ARF is currently operating their 11th Summer Learning Program. Providing vital out-of-
school academic and athletic programming to over 200 kids, the program helps reduce summer learning loss. Participants in their school programs have consistently outperformed their peers on standardized tests, missed fewer days of school, exhibited fewer disciplinary referrals and gained essential life skills such as self-confidence, resilience, and a profound sense of belonging.

We asked Roddick about the importance of giving back in Austin. Here’s what he had to say.

What we’re trying to do in after school and summer is one, support families. So, single parents don’t have to make a decision whether or not to leave work early to make sure that their kids are safe, to make sure they’re not up to risk behaviors. And we want to add value through education. Ideas are easy, execution is harder. Our staff is 10/10 nationally recognized, nationally awarded. I’m happy to be a small part of that and Austin has just shown up for us for decades now. It’s humbling.

– Andy Roddick

Learn more about The Andy Roddick Foundation here.