[new-nickname-zanovo]

After a pretty weak showing at the slams this year (1 QF), what is the future of Andy Roddick? I've always wondered what Andy truly thinks of his career. I suspect he feels a bit cheated. He was sort of groomed to be the Next American, carrying the torch after Pete and Andre left. But Federer then Nadal swooped in and "stole it" from him. And despite a lot of hard work, he simply lacked the arsenal to reclaim it.

His attitude is usually "I'm just a lucky guy, happy to be playing a game for lots of money". If that's true, he's likely to grind it out and stay in the top 10 for a couple of years before hanging it up.

But I think he was only happy when he knew he could make deep runs before losing to Roger/Rafa. I suspect he'll optimistically play 2011, make a QF or semi at AO or Wimby, then give it up. He seems unable to dig deep when it counts, and would rather find an excuse why he lost.

The other option is to take some real time off and change the game plan. Maybe stop playing until the AO, or take a break between AO and Wimbledon (yes, skip the French, why not?). Tiger Woods changed his swing, Andre changed his approach to the game late in his career, why not? Do some serious work on the mental game, and dedicate himself to aggressively pushing toward the net at all times.

But I just can't be a fan right now. Sorry Andy.

[Vomephems]

Thank you

[uneniaPhenits]

Where's Stefanki in all of this? He dialed back Gonzo's aggression, he has dialed back Andy's. Maybe he's just too Zen for guys who need to use their power.

[WhileKelf]

If you show him another job where he can make 7 figures just with his sponsors, he would quit. But there is also a financial aspect of this.
He is still good for a couple of ATP 500 tourneys, so he will stay around. But GS glory seems a thing of the past.

[O25YtQnn]

First of all, I seriously needed a good laugh this morning. When I saw this new thread at the top of the RPB, I got that laugh. Thanks Woody!

I agree pretty much with Woody's original post. All except the last sentence.

[uneniaPhenits]

His attitude is usually "I'm just a lucky guy, happy to be playing a game for lots of money". If that's true, he's likely to grind it out and stay in the top 10 for a couple of years before hanging it up.

Not "just" a lucky guy. He frequently acknowledges his good fortune, but I don't think his healthy perspective affects his ambition. Damn it, I hate it when you guys make me defend Roddick! I'm not much of a fan, but I like to see him pull it all together for once. He's just not the player anyone thought he would be at this point.

[new-nickname-zanovo]

If you show him another job where he can make 7 figures just with his sponsors, he would quit. But there is also a financial aspect of this.
He is still good for a couple of ATP 500 tourneys, so he will stay around. But GS glory seems a thing of the past.

This has to be pretty low on the priority list, no? I don't know him personally, but he doesn't come across as a big spender, jet-setting kind of guy. He's likely made over 50 mil including endorsements. Brooklyn has at least a few more years making what, 2-5 mil a year? I also don't think Andy plays a lot of non-charity exo's, suggesting he is not worried about milking the cash cow...

[new-nickname-zanovo]

Not "just" a lucky guy. He frequently acknowledges his good fortune, but I don't think his healthy perspective affects his ambition.

Respectfully disagree. I will always believe Andy's "downfall" was trying to adopt Andre's late-career attitude early in his career, choosing to build a marketable image over doing whatever it takes to win. It's an admirable model, but it just doesn't work for everyone.

I really think if he accepted that he's more of a Hewitt, he'd have fewer endorsements but more titles.

[O25YtQnn]

Respectfully disagree. I will always believe Andy's "downfall" was trying to adopt Andre's late-career attitude early in his career, choosing to build a marketable image over doing whatever it takes to win. It's an admirable model, but it just doesn't work for everyone.

I really think if he accepted that he's more of a Hewitt, he'd have fewer endorsements but more titles.

Yeah, I don't see that at all. If Andy's been trying to build a marketable image, he's done a lousy job. He's always been about the game not the brand.

[Nosmas]

I don't agree with you, Woody.

He's had that self-depreciating humor for a long time. In a way that is uniquely his own. It has been his main draw for me. I don't think anyone is in a position to call his modesty fake anymore than one can for Roger or Rafa, etc.

His persona has developed quite unlike any one else.

[new-nickname-zanovo]

An older article, but interesting read on the Roddick brand (I know, a lot of it is freebies just for being American):

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/Busines...1073515&page=1

And at $10mil/yr 5 years ago, I revise my previous estimate. He's certainly cleared $150mil by now!

[electmobile]

I don't know. Until he learns how to hit a consistently good and smart approach, the net is probably the last place Andy should try to get to.

But then again, he's not going to win matches by staying back, either.

The one thing that struck me last night in a positive sense was how Andy's backhand has, at times, become a weapon. That's an observation that extends back to many of the matches I've seen him play this summer. So it's not all going to hell in a handbasket for him.

[AnthonyKing]

Similar to the Roger washed up thread, I think we need to cut Andy a little slack - he was playing some great tennis in the spring (Indian Wells, Miami). Who knows how much the mono came into play for his Wimbledon loss. Think back to Fed's tight match against Janko and then loss to Djokovic at the AO before he knew he had mono.

Do I think Andy is likely to capture more GS hardware? unlikely, but I wouldn't give up on him as a top 10 player just yet. (and for the record, I've never been a big Roddick fan).

I also think he over-reacted last night, but the continued outburst was more reflective of his frustration in the match than at the call - the call just gave him a good excuse to let off steam. (He also didn't threaten to stuff any balls down anyone's throat - more "name-calling" than anything else).

[new-nickname-zanovo]

I don't know. Until he learns how to hit a consistently good and smart approach, the net is probably the last place Andy should try to get to.

But then again, he's not going to win matches by staying back, either.

The one thing that struck me last night in a positive sense was how Andy's backhand has, at times, become a weapon. That's an observation that extends back to many of the matches I've seen him play this summer. So it's not all going to hell in a handbasket for him.

I made that comment a lot during Wimbledon 09. The backhand was shockingly effective, I just don't know why he forgets about it so much.

Regarding net play, that's what I mean. Hire someone to focus on just that part of his game for 4 months. Show up in Australia with a new "approach".

But the return game out there is getting too good to keep playing his old style, big serve + push tennis.

[O25YtQnn]

I wish he'd just retire and give my nerves a rest.

[new-nickname-zanovo]

Early in interview:

Q. You're a married man now. Do you feel you kind of curtail your anger when you have situations like this and maybe not go off into a real boil? Is it different now that you're married in these situations where you feel you have to be more respectable on the court?

ANDY RODDICK: You thought I was respectable tonight?

Q. Could have taken it to Johnny Mac levels.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I could have. And the fact that I didn't is because I'm married? That's the thought process we're going to go with? No, I think that's -- no. We got to find another avenue for a story, I think.



Final question:
Q. Do you feel like you were aggressive in tonight's match?

ANDY RODDICK: I mean, yeah. A little tough to be aggressive when a guy is hitting every ball as hard as he can. I felt like I was hitting the ball pretty firm. I think I wasn't aggressive because I got married.

Just when I think I'm out, he pulls me back in! Ok, maybe I'll still be a fan of his interviews only.

[arerrurrY]

HAHA! Andy's right. So his personal life is settled, why should that chill him out on court?

[electmobile]

LOL!

[Intockatt]

My usual mantra: rumors of Andy's demise are extremely premature. He was playing top tier tennis at the beginning of the year, and there's no reason he couldn't be again. His big mistake this year was taking off that huge chunk of time between Miami and Queen's Club; he lost a huge amount of momentum, followed by confidence. If I were him, I wouldn't do that again.

[Daruhuw]

oh come on!!!!
I think it's just burn out. He was ill and had some lapse in concentration (his holiday break when his wife was filming something somewhere) no big deal, 2010 was a sh%%itty year that's all.

He definitely can reach at least a couple of finals. If söderling can so can Roddick!!