Roddick Admits Forehand is Off

[lordmanji]

from tennis.com

His struggles are in more than one area of his game.

“It’s a little bit across the board,” said Roddick, who won the Rogers Cup in 2003. “(My) forehand is just not doing anything. I’m missing it. That’s the one that I need to click right now.”

my question is where has his forehand been since 03-04? it used to be a weapon but now its ridiculous when he runs around his backhand to hit it because it lacks any real depth or pace; it's often too loopy. when he's playing well like in 06's US Open, he can penetrate with his fh but most of the time he's weaponless.

ill go out on a limb and say that since he's bulkier than in 03, his body can't whip through the ball fast enough since theres too much mass now. its comparable to a body builder trying to make a agile trunk rotation and tennis is about elasticity over muscling the ball.

ive included some pics of 03 roddick and 06 roddick for your reference. what do you guys think has happened to his fh?

2002-3 FH
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4171/2003roddick3ad4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

2003 FH
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8761/2003roddickzn4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

2004-5 FH
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/2227/2003roddick2lk6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Current 06-08 FH
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4618/2006roddickxh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[skuludo]

Each picture gets bigger. Keep it the same resolution.

[roddick89]

Put this thread in general pro player discussion, but yeh his forehand is soo frustrating to watch, he started doing this after about wimbledn 2005 and hasnt stopped since, surely he knows that?
The only time he hits it is when he plays federer like at the uso 07, masters cup 07 and then at miami 08.
I thought he had figured it out in dubai but he went back to this fh after that good run in march-april.

[Fedace]

Well, the pros have now seen and knows about Roddick's forehand and today, his forehand is NOT the biggest or Heaviest anymore like it used to be back in 03. now there are many guys that hit HUGE forehand and guys are used to it now, more than before. and STOP that STUPID CHIP FOREHAND RETURN OFF THE SERVE. It is a Amateur shot. it never works in the pros unless it is a perfect drop shot....

[babolat141]

Thank the lord Andy Roddick has seen the light...........or that his forehand sucks now and is willing to do something about it. HIRE GILBERT

[raiden031]

There is more air in his mouth during his shots than in '03, that is for sure.

[DarthCow]

Nope.
Thats not air.
Thats definitely vomit.
He surely doesnt like his forehand.

[(Blank)]

It's totally all about that left hand. Look at his off hand now compared to his 2002-2003 form. Opening that left hand will definitely secure the US Open for him.

Seriously though, I'm not quite sure if it's the camera angle or the time it was taken but it seems like his contact point is different and also, his racket face is really closed in the 2002-2003 pic.

[gcfalcon09]

interesting point... but i dont know... this man windshield wipes to much... needs some work!

[Functionc]

hhmmm..... i think the form might not have been that much of a problem... i mean if there was anything his coach probably have notice... maybe he try to dominate it too much causing it to lose consistancy and then making it harder to get back... idk... i just wish he'd get it back. he's running out of time with all these younger players dominating

[2nd_Serve]

Well, the pros have now seen and knows about Roddick's forehand and today, his forehand is NOT the biggest or Heaviest anymore like it used to be back in 03. now there are many guys that hit HUGE forehand and guys are used to it now, more than before. and STOP that STUPID CHIP FOREHAND RETURN OFF THE SERVE. It is a Amateur shot. it never works in the pros unless it is a perfect drop shot....

It's smart to block the serve back if you can't hit a full stroke...

[Pet]

He must play more semiwestern, he brush the ball too much.