'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
“Maybe its for his birthday celebration, this boy is a showman he can do that” murmured someone.
“Is he withdrawing from the Open?” said another in a worried voice, in the press conference hall in which they had gathered for the conference which was not scheduled.
“I’ll make this short and sweet, I’ve decided that this is going to be my last tournament,” said Andy Roddick, who was wearing his trademark baseball cap in a very monotonous tone, in front of a packed press conference.
Much like his on and off court behavior, it was unexpected to listen to his announcement of retirement which would take place on the 30th of August on his 30th birthday, especially after he had returned to form in the last couple of months.
That is Roddick for you. He did it in his own way:
“I just feel like it’s time. I don’t know that I’m healthy enough or committed enough to go another year,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to, in a perfect world, finish at this event.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever been someone who’s interested in `existing’ on tour. I have a lot of interests and a lot of other things that excite me. I’m looking forward to those.”
That says much about his attitude towards the game and his love for the Home Slam. And if we look back to his interviews, he mentioned years ago that he would like to play the game at the top, and not just for the sake of his paycheques.
Roddick could not resist to make a few jokes like he always does..
Reporter: What does your wife feels about this?
A-rod: I haven’t asked her yet (laughter).. I’m joking.
Reporter: “What do you think you’ll miss the most? You’ve been doing this a long time.
A-rod: All of you (smiling)
If we were to travel down memory lane, ten years ago, at the same venue, 21-year-old Andy Roddick was serving for the match in the 3rd set against 3rd seed Juan Carlos Ferrero (who will become Number One just after the tournament) in front of a full capacity crowd including the likes of Justin Henin. The crowd went crazy and Andy had to stop before serving.
1st point: Juan managed to put the raquet in the line of the ball but the return is long.. 15-0
2nd point: Ace. 30-0. A kid in the background shouting ’149, 149′ – he’d served a 149mph serve earlier) ,
3rd point: Ditto. 40-0 ,
And it was a triple championship points for the young American. Roddick served a third consecutive ace of the game to win the US open which would be his first (and only) Grand Slam until now. All of this happened in 46 seconds, and those who saw this were in disbelief after seeing such a show from the youngster.
The US crowd is no stranger to this moment. In fact, the year before, Pete Sampras had won the US open and Agassi was World Number One at the time. But he was 33 and the Americans were looking for their next generation of superstars, and Andy became one of them that night. Known for his confidence and self belief, Andy could not stop his tears.. But what was to follow was a roller coaster ride wherein he would carry American tennis almost on his own for the next decade.
The Swiss job:
Many people expected Andy to win many Slams and reach great heights like his peers did. His impressive juniors career and initial years on the tour suggested the same. Andy too continued to roll along on the Tour, reaching the semis and the finals in many tournaments regularly. But every time he reached the point of having a shot at another Slam there was one man in his way: Roger Federer.
The Swiss proved to be a nightmare for the young American’s dreams.
KEY BISCAYNE, FL – MARCH 26: Andy Roddick reacts to beating Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day 8 of the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 26, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida.
Out of the 24 times they have met each other, 23 of them were on or after the quarter-final stage. The only time they met each other before that was possibly their last meeting in 2012 in Miami, where Andy beat Federer in the Round of 32. Federer has won 21 out of their 24 meetings.
It was even worse in the Grand Slams. They met eight times at Grand Slams and Roddick lost all of them. A semifinal and three finals at Wimbledon, a final and a quarter final at US open and two semifinals at the Australian open. Roddick never came close to winning it except the last time they met in a Grand Slam at the 2009 Wimbledon, where he was almost up two sets and hadn’t lost the serve until the last game of the match. He later said apologised to Sampras because Federer went past the tally of his 14 Slams after Andy’s defeat. Andy might have won the match but that made him a favourite of the home crowd who’d already loved him so much
Roddick was simply outplayed by Federer in all departments of the game, including serving. But Andy never stopped trying. Who knows how many more Slams Andy might have won if Federer wasn’t there? This is how sports can be cruel to you: playing alongside one of the greatest players of all time. But Andy will be remembered for more than just being a one time Grand Slam Champion and a former World Number One.
Injuries, changes in coaches :It was almost a given that his injuries would take a toll on his body. If you are serving over 130 mph for years, your body is definitely going to react. Imagine the load on the legs and stress to the back. Andy had to withdraw from many events, including two French Opens. But Andy was very hard working and committed to the game. He wanted to come back stronger every time. Andy had as many as six coaches, including some very high profile names such as Brad Gilbert, Jimmy Connors and Larry Stefanki. His coaches and support staff have often mentioned that they have not seen a more commited guy than Andy, which is true. Although he changed coaches several times, he still has good relations with all of them.
Davis Cup 2007:Not many guys can boast about winning the Davis Cup and playing a major role in it. Even Roger Federer hasn’t done it yet. In 2007, Andy Roddick played some of his best tennis and won every single match he played at that event. In the finals, USA beat Russia 4-1 to win. A nation with a rich Davis Cup past, the USA hadn’t win Davis Cup in the last 12 years. James Blake has publically thanked Andy for the Davis Cup win, which he thinks the USA won only because of him.
Personal Life:
Roddick has dated some of the world’s most beautiful women. Even before his 21st birthday, Roddick was dating Mandy Moore, who has regularly featured in almost polls of the top ten most beautiful women alive. They parted ways in 2004. Rumour had it that Andy and Maria Sharapova were dating in 2006, but Roddick himself rubbished the news saying that they were good friends.
“I’m going to speak very slowly so that you can understand me. You’re an idiot. Do you have to be like a second grade dropout to be an umpire? Did you go to school until you were eight years old? I think you quit school before you were 10,” (to the crowd) “Stay in school, kids, or you’ll end up being an umpire”
Impersonations:Younger fans here would have seen Novak Djokovic impersonating different players but I bet Roddick is the best when it comes to impersonations. Here are the links to two of his funniest impersonations.
Off the court Activities:Andy is no stranger to the glam world. He has featured many times on various chat shows such as the Late Night Show with David Letterman. Andy has also been hosting radio shows on sports and entertainment for a few years. Andy has his own foundation, which takes care of more than 150 children every year. He regularly tweets about the events of his foundation, which is managed by his mother. Andy has been first choice of the organizers of charity matches because of his public apeal and sense of humour.
Quotes:
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 02: Andy Roddick of the United States celebrates a point
1) Question:”How do you rate Gonzalez’s chances?” (in the 07 AO Final v Federer)
“Slim”
2) Question “What was your favourite press conference?”
“I don’t really rate press conferences. It’s not as though I leave the room fist-pumping my way down the corridor after a good one.”
3)“I’m fine with it. I’m not always real thrilled when they show up at 5:30 in the morning. I think it’s necessary” - about being asked if he was okay with the drug tests
4)“If you write #nestorforever @justinbieber follow you….. Serious” he joked on twitter on how Justin Bieber randomly followed people on Twitter
5)“I’m equally unproud of my sweater and my rap performance” – about his rap performance
6)The Bryan brothers always try to get me to sing with their band, but I’ve retired from the Bryan Bros. Band.
7)“I’m going to speak very slowly so that you can understand me. You’re an idiot. Do you have to be like a second grade dropout to be an umpire? Did you go to school until you were eight years old? I think you quit school before you were 10,” Roddick said to an official, before addressing the crowd: “Stay in school, kids, or you’ll end up being an umpire”
8) “I’m the most successful bad player ever.
9) “You’re on live TV, you know – you look like a real moron right now.”
10) “He’s got ankle injuries. And a back and a hip. And cramp. And bird flu. Anthrax. SARS, a common cold and a cough,” Roddick on Novak Djokovic’s ailments at the US Open one year.
11) “I’m pretty convinced that I could be a tennis analyst when I’m done. It just doesn’t take much thought. It’s the easiest job in the world.”
12) “Hey, you guys with the ladders, if you come here I’ll buy you pizza.” Roddick to the firemen who were rescuing him and other players after a fire in a hotel in Rome.
13)”Pretty much the only time I ever wear a suit is to the formal Davis Cup dinners.”
14) “Oh it felt great.. you can not ask for a better way to start the tournament. He played so amazing last year to win here. He schooled me last time so this time it was one less person to play” about being asked what he felt about Sampras retiring in 2003 on the Late Night Show with David Letterman
16)“If there were rankings for press conferences, I wouldn’t have to worry about falling out of the top five.”
The way ahead:
Andy has decided that he will hang up his boots and as far as I know he will not come back from his retirement like some players do. So we can do nothing but accept the fact the he is not gonna be there. He has made the right choice. I dont think I can see Andy as a guy who plays in the Grand Slam events with wild cards and has no chance to win it. As many say, the right time to exit the game is when you are at the top. Andy is not exactly at the top but he isn’t bad either. He has been struggling with injury and was as low as world #34 in Febuary this year for the first time since 2001. He may be retiring but he will still be the last North American to win a Grand slam. He will still be the guy who won the US the Davis Cup after 12 long years and he will still be our favourite Andy who we don’t want to miss in action. Roddick, like Safin, was a real character. Maybe Safin was more talented than Roddick but Roddick was real hard worker and a real fighter, sometimes mis understood and full of life.
One of the better humans off the court.
Roddick plans to give attention to the Youth Tennis and Learning Center in Austin after retirement. He said he still loves tennis and will not stop playing it so we may see him in many exhibition and charity matches.
In an interview to Deuce magazine, he said:
“One thing I did was ask Andre [Agassi] what he regretted. Of course I figured he’d say something about tennis, but instead he said he wished he’d started his foundation even earlier.”
Whatever happens next it doesnt matter to us. You are a people’s champion and always will be. Thank you very much for everything
Trending
