Is Roddick Done For Good?

by user Wtt02005

After winning the US Open by beating Juan Carlos Ferrero, life was supposed to change for Andy Roddick. This victory was supposed to be the match that got him over the hill ready to steamroll the competition. In addition, he had a good personal life with then girlfriend Mandy Moore who he hugged in the stands following the victory.

At the time, the whole world was like "aww" during the embrace.

But now people are like "awful." Like Mandy Moore's career, Roddick appears to have fizzled out. He has won a collection of small tournaments (usually ranked #2 seed) but no grand slams. After his defeat to Andy Murray this week, Roddick officially dropped out of the top ten, making James Blake the #1 American. Of course, this is more due to Roddick dropping out than Blake improving (though Blake has played well this year).

Despite the fact that Roddick seems like a really mean person, he is still one of the top five male tennis players in my mind. Yes, he's playing in the shadow of Roger Federer like everyone else and probably will not beat him. However, he's got to show some pride and least get to the semifinals or finals of every competition. Wimbledon seems to be his tournament anyway; last year, he made it to the finals before losing to Federer.

But what Roddick needs to do first is to win back the crowd. When Roddick was on the ropes, I rarely heard people cheering him on. They wanted Murray to win. This reminded me of a match between Roddick and Mario Ancic. Roddick was beating him pretty easily, yet the crowd rallied behind Ancic. I remember when people used to love Roddick and his ridiculous fast serve. Roddick, get rid of the attitude and take back the crowd. Before you know it, the crowd's energy will help you put yourself back in the rankings.

Date

Mon 07/03/06, 8:37 pm EST

XinophDraft Pick

1245 days ago

Score 1

Roddick needs a new coach.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1244 days ago

Score 1

He's been linked to Jimmy Connors.

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XinophDraft Pick

1244 days ago

Score 1

Yeah, but not as as permanent coach. He needs a new full-time coach.

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ThecrookedcapAll-Star

1244 days ago

Score 2

Remember: They were rooting for Murray because he's British.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1244 days ago

Score 0

He only tends to win small tournaments that Federer doesn't enter, or Nadal doesn't enter on clay. Nadal is the only person to beat Federer this year (four times, all on clay), so with Nadal always winning on clay, and Federer always winning, it'll take a lot to win a Slam.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1244 days ago

Score 0

Actually, Mandy Moore's career isn't doing too bad. Don't drag her down with Roddick :-)

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StockMail

1243 days ago

Score 1

Well, like Roddick and other tennis players have said, there's a point in every tennis player's career where they go through a sort of a lull. And Roddick's career has been no different. This is his lull. You had to expect this sooner or later because when he turned pro, he jumped out of the gate. Now, he's been around for a bit and players have probably learned to adjust to his big serve and big forehand. But now Andy has to readjust or else he is done.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1242 days ago

Score 0

Let's not be too harsh on the guy. He is trying to do the right thing. Being accused of being one dimensional, he actually appeared to ebeat himself against Murray. He went to the net way more than anyone else seemed to in the tournament, when everyone has been content to bash from the baseline...a game that Roddick likely would have won against Murray. He is a hard worker, certainly more so than Murray, which Gilbert as Murray's new coach will soon see. Roddick will get his confidence back and be back in the top 5. Since Nadal and Federer have both won every single tournament they have entered in the last 18 months, I doubt Roddick will do more than others as far as passing them right now, but he has as good a shot as any of them to chase them as number 3,4 or 5. He will stay ahead of Hewitt when the rankings come out, and they all will go back and forth for a while. Brother John will do fine for now, and Roddick will make up some lost ground at the US Open where he has no points to defend. I believe he will peak then, and end up about where he was last year...and still end up top 5. And agree, Murray is British for gosh sakes....of course the crowd was behind him.....like the US crowd will be firmly behind Roddick. He is still a crowd favorite over here and in many places....give him a break. He is no doubt inconsistent....but why all the bashing...did he not dispose of his opponent in round 2 in a little over an hour? How quickly we forget...

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