Andy Roddick set to turn it around at U.S. Open
The U.S. Open can't start too soon for Andy Roddick, who's gunning for another title.
Listen to Roddick talk about how much he loves the US Open.
Listen to Roddick talk about playing on carpet.
With a hot start to the year and a debilitating shoulder injury behind him, Andy Roddick said Thursday that 2008 has been “a tale of two years.”
But for the big-serving American, it’s also been a tale of two careers — from wunderkind to workhorse, phenom to fighter.
Roaring into the season, Roddick won two titles and added spirited defeats of top-three players Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Then injury crept in. He missed the French Open; made early exits this summer at Wimbledon, Toronto and Cincinnati; and skipped the Olympics to rest before the U.S. Open, where he has been winner (2003) and runner-up (2006).
“I was playing about as well as I had to start a year through April and May of this year, and now it’s just trying to get back and get healthy,” the eighth-seeded Roddick said before appearing at Macy’s 34th Street for his clothing sponsor, Lacoste.
When Roddick won the U.S. Open in straight sets five years ago — before Federer began his long reign over men’s tennis — he was a vortex of energy who rocketed to No. 1.
Paradoxically, the younger Roddick was known for Reebok visors and vigorous intensity — and unlimited potential.
But Roddick, who turns 26 next Saturday, is showing signs of settling down. He prefers refined French sportswear and is engaged to Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker.
“I’m very happy, very content,” Roddick said, “and can stop wasting your guys’ time with endless speculation.”
Still stuck on one major title, Roddick has seen more gifted players crowd ahead of him; against the elite, the effort he powers into his play often hasn’t been enough to win.
During a conference call Thursday, CBS analyst John McEnroe said the “stagnant” Roddick lacked swagger and drive.
“It seems like you could make the argument that he’s not focusing enough on his strengths, which is to really have a penetrating forehand,” McEnroe said. “And he certainly hasn’t added a lot to his game ... However, he does have the hardest serve that I’ve ever seen hit ... You’d have to say he has that proverbial puncher’s chance.”
The task is there for Roddick at Flushing Meadows: create the tale of a third career.
Max J. Dickstein is amNewYork’s sports editor.
