Why does Roddick even bother to play the French?
- Thread starter pmata814
- Start date
Roddique is a Francophile. He is sponsored by French companies. Lacoste for shirts, Babolat for racquet and shoes. He had a French coach once (Tariq). Grosjean is one of his great friends.
Golden Retriever
Hall of Fame
Did he get paid for playing the French?
logansc
Professional
If that were a pro's mentality then most clay courters wouldn't show up at Wimbledon. Look Roddick can't win with anyone and it's really stupid. He gets blasted for not showing up at Monte Carlo and Hamburg and then people question why he shows up at RG? That's craziness. I heard some announcers talking during his match yesterday and they said it was good for him to come in fresh and not bang his head against a wall prepping for RG and to come in with a good attitude. He had his shots against Andreev, I watched him play well for a set and a half and then as soon as he got broken in the second he lost all confidence and started to play into the Russian's game plan. It's all mental at this point. Besides him winning any matches at the FO are free points for him in the race and for his ranking as he had absolutely ZERO to defend.
Swingin Richard
Rookie
Because he wants a taste of the glory, so he knows what it tastes like.
logansc
Professional
FRENCH sponsors at that. They are probably pissed he won't be around longer.
Alejandro D
Semi-Pro
He has to. Playing GS and MS events is mandatory for the top 50. If he doesn't play, he has to pay a fine.
He is still the biggest draw in the US, so they will stick with him.
Never heard of that one. Where is that rule from?
Ok. I honestly didn't know. This and the sponsor explanation makes sense. thanks.
zapvor
G.O.A.T.
yea if nothing else he is required. and why wouldnt he anyways??
My reasoning is...it costs money to travel to France get a hotel etc. He obviously doesn't care about the tournament, otherwise he would do more to prepare for it. So why go if he knows he'll lose in the first round. But now that I know he is required to play and that the sponsors require it...it makes sense.
I do feel he should put some effort into getting better on clay though. He is the #3 player in the world! He can't just hide behind the excuse that he doesn't like clay.
slams, masters, and maybe a few other tournies are manatory (for top players) and the penalties are a lot stiffer now than before especially after a string of pull outs of top rank players.
anyway, its their job to at least show up.
performing up to par, that is a different story.
they get a load of money just for existing the 1st rd.
i think the top players/seeded may get free room and board.
someone else mentioned sponsorship deals.
DashaandSafin
Hall of Fame
I dont understand. Can you not read? He will get fined. And a first round exit is still more than 60k I think so its perfectly worth it to go and party in France.
zapvor
G.O.A.T.
well he should care about it. Roland Garros is a grand slam. the cost to travel is negligible for someone like him. and he isnt #3. you are right hes just coming up with excuses-very very lame
DashaandSafin
Hall of Fame
He is no.3...What are you babbling about? Go take a look www.atptennis.com
Yes he should care about RG, and he does. However, he knows that he blows on clay. He definatly tried, but fell on his ass, like most Americans on clay.
Yes he should care about RG, and he does. However, he knows that he blows on clay. He definatly tried, but fell on his ass, like most Americans on clay.
Fee
Legend
http://stevegtennis.com/factsheets/2007/a-frenchopen.htm
First round prize money is $14, 290 (not $60K).
First round prize money is $14, 290 (not $60K).
ElSuegro
Rookie
It's not just Roddick who cant play on clay *All* of the American men lost in the first round, the first time in about 30 years. But so what? Some other pretty decent guys never won in Paris either, such as Sampras, Federer, McEnroe, Becker, Edberg, Ivanesevic, Rafter, and more. Almost all of the winners the past 10 years or so have been of Spanish descent 
who never win anywhere but clay.
who never win anywhere but clay.
Fee
Legend
When the Americans ALL lose in the first round of Wimbledon or the USO, then we can collectively drink the spiked kool aid. This is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. Remember back in January all the headlines the US men got for getting so many players through the qualies and the first round of the AO? How soon they forget.
dukemunson
Rookie
Where'd you get 60k from? First round losers get a little under 15k...he would however recieve housing...
nautika721
New User
As the #3 professional tennis player in the world, I think the travel expense to France for one of the 4 biggest tournaments of the year is the least of his problems.
DashaandSafin
Hall of Fame
Whoa my bad. I swear I saw on ATPtennis that bombing out was around 30-60k...guess not.
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