image: Zuma Press

Unfortunately, the injury has caused him to withdraw from the U.S. Davis Cup team’s quarterfinal in Croatia.  He has represented the United States at the event in 18 consecutive Davis Cup matches and played a role in the country winning the 2007 title.

The U.S. Tennis Association announced that he will be replaced by Mardy Fish.

Post from: EveryJoe

Roddick Pulls Out of Davis Cup

Andy Roddick was looking sharp on Sunday, March 8th, during his match against Stanislas Wawrinka at the 2009 Davis Cup. He ended the tie with 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Roddick came out using his most powerful weapon, which is his amazing serve.

Wawrinka won the first two points, and you had the feeling that if he could break back it would represent the crack that might provide the Swiss No. 1 with enough light to make a match of it. But on the next point, Roddick attacked Wawrinka’s lethal backhand and forced a passing shot error. Then, Roddick powdered a forehand winner off the service return; the placement whistled by Wawrinka – he barely moved – and landed in the backhand corner.

Roddick has only had Larry Stefanki as a coach for a few months now,but this change is showing some great improvements in Roddick’s game.

“(My movement has) been pretty good all year. That’s just the way tennis has gone in the last – even since I started, seven, eight years ago. You see a lot more guys serving big and less guys moving well. I should say everybody serves big as opposed to it being kind of a standout thing. You just try to adjust to keep up with the Jones.

“Something I’ve been doing better this year is just kind of – and Larry has been big on it – taking my time. When you’re down you can’t win all the points back at once. It’s going to be a process when you’re down Love-30. Just try to go at it. Make him play every point. . .”

Larry has definitely been good for Roddick! More photos from the match under.

Post from: EveryJoe

Andy Roddick Shows Improvements in Game at 2009 Davis Cup

Austria's Davis Cup Team

The 2009 Davis Cup kicked off today (March 6).. You can see the live scores on the official Davis Cup site.

Here’s the first round group:

Argentina vs Netherlands 0-0

Czech Republic vs France 0-0

United States vs Switzerland 0-0

Croatia vs Chile 1-0

Sweden vs Israel 0-0

Romania vs Russia 0-2

Germany vs Austria 0-0

Spain vs Serbia 0-0

See below for pictures from Day One of the 2009 Davis Cup.

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 Davis Cup: Day One

First Roger Federer, then Andy Murray and now David Nalbandian have all had to pull out of the 2009 Davis Cup because of either injuries or illness.

Nalbandian had to pull out of Argentina’s Davis Cup team because of a viral infection. Argentina captain Modesto Vazquez said yesterday (March 3) that the infection has sapped Nalbandian’s strength and that he “is not in physical condition to play”.

The infection bothered Nalbandian during the Mexican Open and he was eliminated by Daniel Koellerer of Austria in the first round.

Source

Post from: EveryJoe

David Nalbandian Pulls Out of Argentina Davis Cup Team

Two-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Ted Robinson will provide play by play for the network while Justin Gimelstob, a member of the 1998 and 2001 U.S. Davis Cup teams, will supply color commentary.

Leading the American team is Captain Patrick McEnroe, who was a three-time Davis Cup team member during his playing days and has been at the helm of the squad since 2000.  He returns the same team that won the title in 2007: twins Bob and Mike Bryan, the World No. 1 doubles tandem and 2009 Australian Open doubles champions, along with No. 6 and No. 13 singles players Andy Roddick and James Blake, respectively.  Switzerland will be without its top-ranked player Roger Federer, who was forced to withdraw due to a back injury, but still brings an impressive roster of Stanislas Wawrinka, Stephane Bohli, Marco Chiudinelli and Yves Allegro into Birmingham.

Here is the love coverage schedule for The Tennis Channel:

Friday, March 6:

2 p.m. – Live Singles #1

5 p.m. – Live Singles #2

{9 p.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #1}

{12 a.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #2}

Saturday, March 7:

2 p.m. – Live Doubles

{9 p.m. – “Instant Encore” Doubles}

{12 a.m. – “Instant Encore” Doubles}

Sunday, March 8:

2 p.m. – Live Singles #1

5 p.m. – Live Singles #2

{9 p.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #1}

{12 a.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #2}

Source: The Tennis Channel

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Davis Cup March 6-8, Tennis Channel to Carry Live Coverage

Tennis Channel plans to surround its high-definition U.S. Davis Cup coverage with short- and long-form ancillary programming, specials and year-round promotion, building up the team’s annual quest for the championship as a long-term franchise for the network.  In addition to exclusive U.S. telecast rights, a broadband component to the agreement will see U.S. Davis Cup matches available on demand and in their entirety on Tennis Channel’s Web site, www.tennischannel.com, posted the day after each competition.

The 2009 Davis Cup is just weeks away! It all starts with the eight World Group first-round ties March 6-8 in Birmingham, Alabama. Switzerland’s Roger Federer will play the United State’s Andy Roddick.

“It is fitting that the sport’s namesake network will be the television home for U.S. Davis Cup competition, one of the most exciting team competitions in all of sport,” said Pierce O’Neil, USTA chief business officer.  “Under the leadership of Patrick McEnroe, the U.S. continues to field one of the world’s most competitive teams, all of whom are looking forward to taking on Roger Federer and the rest of the Swiss team this coming March.”

Source: Tennis Channel press release

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Tennis Channel Becomes the Exclusive Home of U.S. Davis Cup

The U.S. Tennis Association has decided the destination of the 2009 Davis Cup – Birmingham, Alabama. Interesting. Not that I have anything against Birmingham, there’s just not much of a tennis tradition there. Maybe they would like to start a tennis tradition!

Anyway, in 1994 Birmingham hosted the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships and also a Men’s Challenger Event for about 10 years. It ended in 2003. But no Davis Cup has ever been held there. There’s a first time for everything.

The Davis Cup will be held on March 6-8. I am not sure what Birmingham temperatures are like in March, but I hope it’s not too miserable. I imagine it won’t be. I’ve been there in the summer and oh my goodness, I thought I would die.

The Davis Cup will be played in an indoor arena, which holds about 17,000 people.

So, who’s headed to Alabama in March?

Source: Google News

Post from: EveryJoe

The Davis Cup Heads to Birmingham, Alabama