I was thoroughly impressed with Roddick’s complete performance in the last men’s match of the U.S. Open first round. The scattergun shots that often plague his game never appeared. He simply was magic against the player known as the Magician. The 35-year-old Santoro, was appearing in his record setting 65th major. Roddick was just too good.
Concerned
Before the match started, I felt that if he were to lose it would be a disaster. He is the face of American tennis; the 2003 tournament winner. If you ask people to name an American tennis player, they will say Andy Roddick. In truth, he was better. He was composed, very businesslike. He just got the job done. All in all, it was an impressive show on a sold-out night. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him so controlled, so solid. He played like he had a goal and knew how to achieve it.
Tournament preparation
Andy decided to play three U.S. Open Series events instead of going to Beijing in hopes of readying himself to duplicate his 2003 success, and he looked bad. I don’t know if it was the shoulder and neck injuries that had tormented him earlier this year, but it was almost as if they still existed because the best he did was reach the Countrywide Classic final in Los Angeles where Juan Martin Del Potro, the story of the summer hard courts season, ambushed him 6-1, 7-6.
2003 champion
His victory five years ago may have come about because the rest of the men’s field hadn’t really formed. Roger (Federer) was becoming Roger. He wasn’t there yet, and you have to remember the reality of the match, (not to take anything away from Andy), but he was fortunate to get by (David) Nalbandian on a couple of disputed calls in the semifinals.
Surprised
Yes, I’m surprised that he hasn’t done better. He’s an attractive champion. Some may say he’s cocky and recently his results don’t hold up for him to be that way, but everyone does know him. And while he has had injuries this year, he lost early in Australia and didn’t play Paris. At Wimbledon, he lost in the second round to Janko Tipsarevic. All in all, it hasn’t been an impressive year. He is very competitive, and is probably very discouraged, though he wouldn’t admit it. It almost seems time may be running out for him.
Does he need a coach?
Though he has played for some time, I still think he needs direction. I thought (Jimmy) Connors helped him. His backhand got better. He hit through the ball and used his hands rather than muscle the shot. But, because of his grips, he still had trouble volleying. The guy who got him to No. 1 (Brad Gilbert) was dismissed and so was his brother John, who worked with him part of the summer. He’s here with Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe, but though he is still young, he has been through so many coaches, I wonder if he knows what he wants to do.
Gulbis next up
This was a very important match for him. Though he is through, Ernests Gulbis, the explosive Latvian is his next opponent, and he is really tough. Though I don’t want to be pessimistic, I don’t know if he will get through. If he doesn’t, the road will be a bit easier.
Can he resurrect his career?
If he’s going to do it, this is the place, and now is the time. He is popular. The crowd loves him. After the tournament, the season’s practically over. He goes to Spain to face Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in the Davis Cup — on clay. And, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. While he is the leader of the team, sort of the fraternity president, playing against Russia in last year’s final, he wasn’t spectacular. The Russians, in truth, weren’t really competitive.
However ...
Andy has been at the top and knows what it takes. Should he be able to pull it together and recapture that form, the game would benefit because there’s only one A-Rod.
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