image: Zuma Press

After pointing out the fact that Federer skipped the Shanghai Masters due to fatigue, Roddick added:  “It’s ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport that doesn’t have a legitimate off-season to rest, get healthy, and then train.  I just feel sooner or later that common sense has to prevail.”

He continued: “I certainly don’t see any other sporting leagues or federations following our lead as far as not being individually represented. I don’t know that it’s up to the players to be making business decisions about the schedule. At a certain point, I wish our input would be.  It’s got to be someone’s job to figure that out, right?”

I can’t help but agree with them.  I am an avid hockey fan and there are times when I’m grateful that the players will have a few months to manage injuries, get surgeries that they’ve put off, spend time with family, rest and even give fans a break.  Hopefully, the ATP will look at Nadal and Roddick’s comments and reconsider the schedule.

Post from: EveryJoe

Nadal and Roddick Say Tennis Season Too Long

image: Zuma Press

Although, it was later revealed that Roddick had suffered an injury during the match, it was clearly a historic day for tennis since Federer became the great men’s champion ever by capturing his 15th Grand Slam title (edging out Pete Sampras who sat in the stands cheering him on).

If you missed it, or you just want to watch it over and over again, you can pick up the Wimbledon 2009 Mens Final – Federer vs Roddick DVD of the full match which includes BBC TV commentary.  It’s a great purchase for tennis lovers, as well as fans of Federer and Roddick!

Post from: EveryJoe

Wimbledon 2009 Mens Final on DVD

Apparently, a signed has been posted all over the place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from the players’ lounge to the locker rooms (and even the referee’s office) with a headline:  “Important. Player Notice. Twitter Warning.”

The message goes on to say:  “Many of you will have Twitter accounts in order for your fans to follow you and to become more engaged in you and the sport — and this is great.  However popular it is, it is important to warn you of some of the dangers posted by Twittering as it relates to the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program Rules.”

Players are already reacting to the warning with Andy Roddick tweeting: “lame the US Open is trying to regulate our tweeting.. I understand the on-court issue but not sure they can tell us if we can’t do it on our own time … we’ll see.”

He then added: “I definitely respect the rule about inside info and on the court, but you would seriously have to be a moron to send ‘inside info’ through a tweet.”

In response to Roddick’s tweets, U.S. Open spokesman Chris Widmaier said: “We agree with Mr. Roddick that it would be ‘moronic’ to provide what might be construed as insider information. However, in the age of new media, it is imperative to ensure the absolute integrity of the game.”

It’s a sad day when a sport has to warn the athletes not to put out sensitive information on Twitter but I guess it’s necessary.

image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

U.S. Open Issues Twitter Warning

image: Zuma Press

I have to admit that, although I’ve always liked Roddick, I gained a lot of respect for him after he took on Roger Federer at Wimbledon last month and it seems that his amazing effort has been noticed by fans of the sport at both the All England Club and North America.

Roddick explained: “I don’t know if I’ve ever had this level of support in my career thus far.  It definitely helped a lot as far the recovery process and getting excited about getting back out here again. Especially seeing the excitement it caused for tennis in the United States. It was THE story for a couple of days or a week, which is rare. There’s been a lot of good things that have come of it.”

He’s right.  It’s been weeks and people are still talking about it (myself included, obviously).  It really has renewed my appreciation for him as a player so, in some ways, maybe it’s a good thing that Rafael Nadal was unable to compete in London.  I’m not saying I would wish any harm on a player but sometimes things happen to clear the path for something else.  Nadal is back and in good form, Federer made history and Roddick will forever be linked to that amazing moment.

Roddick went on to say: “during my career I’ve been portrayed as every type of person — good, bad, ugly, rude, nice — and this is the first time it’s been presented in the light of a hard-working, everyday Joe type of tennis player trying to make good,” he said. “All the while the meat and potatoes of who I am have probably stayed the same.  Maybe people have realized that it’s not easy and it does take work.”

Roddick has advanced to a third round where he will battle Fernando Verdasco of Spain.

Post from: EveryJoe

Roddick Defeats Andreev in Montreal

image: TSN

The win wasn’t completely easy for second-seeded Del Potro.  He had to battle back after blowing three match points in the tie-breaker and seemed very pleased to capture his second title of the season when he said: “I’m very happy to win another title and defend this championship.”  He went home with $300,000 for the win.

Roddick has been recovering from the injury he suffered at Wimbledon last month in an incredible final against Roger Federer.  While I’m sure these events are all important to him, Roddick has made it clear that he has an ultimate goal: “I’m not far off from where I was after Wimbledon,” Roddick said. “This is the start of preparation leading up to the US Open. I feel better about my game now than when I got here.”

I’m very confident that, if he continues to play like he has been recently, Roddick will definitely be ready for the US Open which begins on August 31, 2009.

Post from: EveryJoe

Del Potro Beats Roddick at Legg Mason

USA Today quotes Roddick as saying the following: “I was heartbroken.  But I know not a lot of   people get a chance to play at that level. Ten seconds after the final, I still realized it’s a pretty special thing.  At Wimbledon, adrenaline helped a great deal with the injury.  Physically, I feel great. I didn’t want to come back to tennis until I felt better.”

He has had a hard time recently.  Since the end of last year, he dropped in the world rankings but has been on the rise since he changed coaches.  He said that he has fought back from injuries and disappointments by playing tennis and focusing on nutrition and fitness (he’s lost 15 pounds since hiring coach Larry Stefanki).

I sincerely hope that Roddick continues to improve and I’d really love to see him get another chance at winning Wimbledon.

image: TSN

Post from: EveryJoe

Roddick Puts Pain, Wimbledon Behind Him

Indianapolis tournament director, Kevin Martin, weighed in on the development: “We are obviously very disappointed that Andy will not be able to return to Indianapolis, but we support his decision 100 percent to put his health first.  We know that some fans have planned their vacations and a night out with friends around Andy’s Tuesday night play and potential to earn his third title on finals weekend, so we can only imagine how disappointed they are.”

image: TSN

Roddick was injured during an intense five-set battle against Roger Federer in the men’s final at Wimbledon and has already been forced to skip the Davis Cup.   Federer won but Roddick left everything he had on the court and it was devastating to see him walk away as the runner-up, especially knowing that he hurt himself during the match.

Post from: EveryJoe

Roddick Withdraws From Indy With Injury

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

image: TSN

Roddick left it all on the court and he was clearly devastated by the loss.  He went over to the bench and just hung his head.  He clearly shed a few tears and when it came time for him to accept his runner-up plate, he seemed overcome with disappointment.  During his post-match interview, Roddick was incredibly gracious and congratulated Federer and then apologized to Pete Sampras for not being able to hold Federer off from breaking his record.

image: Zuma Press

Federer was also incredibly gracious during his post-match interview.  Her recognized Roddick for his incredible effort on the grass court today.  He talked about how amazing his life is right now with being named No. 1 and with his wife preparing to make him a father in a few weeks.

Post from: EveryJoe

Federer Wins Wimbledon After Tight Match

The 26-year-old will have his work cut out for him when he faces five-time champion, Roger Federer, who has set a record for making the championship match at Wimbledon seven times in a row.  Federer defeated Tommy Haas of Germany 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-3 in the semifinals.

image: Zuma Press

Federer and Roddick have quite a history.  The American lost to the Swiss superstar in the 2004 and 2005 finals at Wimbledon and out of the 20 times the pair have met, Federer won 18 matches (including a flawless 3-0 record in 2009).

The 2009 Wimbledon champ will get to take home $1.39 million.

Post from: EveryJoe

Federer vs. Roddick at Wimbledon Final