Fish out of AO.

[Paul Murphy]

No good news for Mardy Fish which is a shame - he's one of the nicer guys on tour.
Not sure if I'd keep playing if I had heart problems.

From tennis.com:

Mardy Fish will miss the 2013 Australian Open as he continues to recover from heart trouble, Reuters reports. Fish’s agent, John Tobias, told Reuters that the American is improving and hopes to return to the ATP tour in February at the SAP Open in San Jose, California.

Earlier on Wednesday, Fish also pulled out of the tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, which begins on January 7.

Fish, 30, has been struggling with heart problems since early this spring and has not competed since the first week of the U.S. Open. He pulled out of his fourth-round match at Flushing Meadows against Roger Federer.

Fish was hoping to come back and play exhibitions this month, but apparently isn’t feeling well enough to do so.

 

[Clarky21]

Sucks for Mardy. Hopefully he can get his health back on track and get back out there.

 

[sureshs]

Can some doctor chime in? Can a person with persistent heart issues ever do any intense physical activity in a safe manner?

 

[Razoredge]

Think it's safe to say Fish is done for good. He had a decent career.

 

[LaneMyer]

There are active professional athletes who compete with heart disorders. Mario Lemieux had an atrial fibrillation which did later force him into retirement along with cancer. Eddie Curry has an irregular heartbeat, as did Reggie Lewis who of course later died on a practice court. Recent US Olympic gold medalist swimmer Dana Vollmer has a genetic heart condition. I guess it depends on how serious Mardy's condition is.

 

[Crisstti]

Strange (or maybe not) how he developed this condition it would appear suddenly. How come he didn't seem to have any problems before?.

A pity really.

 

[SStrikerR]

Depends on the condition. If his is something that could be life threatening under intense stress, then no, I don't think he should keep playing.

 

[fundrazer]

Fish one of the nicer guys on tour? No... Can't always listen to what the knucklehead commentators tell you.

I used to be a fan of Mardy, that is until I saw the real Mardy. His outburst against Mathieu and threatening to "kick his ass." Taunting Gasquet in another match. The incident with Tsonga with Mardy saying "I don't speak French dumbass."

 

[The Moonballer]

That is unfortunate. Too bad Fatbutt Nadal is playing and Fish isn't. Fish has great offensive tennis

 

[Crisstti]

Fish one of the nicer guys on tour? No... Can't always listen to what the knucklehead commentators tell you.

I used to be a fan of Mardy, that is until I saw the real Mardy. His outburst against Mathieu and threatening to "kick his ass." Taunting Gasquet in another match. The incident with Tsonga with Mardy saying "I don't speak French dumbass."

I remember also in the match against Nadal in Cincinnati last year, he didn't shake the hand of the guy (from the crowd, he's done the coin toss I believe) and just left him there with his hand extended...

Nothing terrible anyway.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Strange (or maybe not) how he developed this condition it would appear suddenly. How come he didn't seem to have any problems before?.

A pity really.

Sometimes these conditions can rear their ugly head later in life (20s-30s), but generally you're born with the condition and don't find out about it until something extreme happens, like Mardy with his fast heart beat.

I hope Mardy makes a full recovery and can get back to playing tennis soon, but if not, I hope he makes a full recovery anyway and lives his life to the fullest.

 

[90's Clay]

He had a good career. Never would have thought he would do as well as he did. I think he should retire though. A heart issue is nothing to play around with in this game.

 

[rocketassist]

Yes a pity but he's had an okay career. Of course he will always be viewed as a failure by the American media and public but it doesn't matter.

The Americans think everyone should be as good as Sampras, Agassi, McEnroe or Connors. Doesn't work that way. That's why despite Roddick's excellent career, he's under-appreciated.

 

[90's Clay]

Roddick's career was "excellent?" Define "excellent" please.

I dont think too many of us are expecting too many americans to come along and do what Sampras and Agassi did but it wouldn't hurt to see some guys win a handful of slams at least and be bigger threats then they were. I fully expected to see a couple of guys pick up the torch and win 4-5 slams anyways. I would have expected to see a few "Couriers" at least. Not 1 slam between ALL of them

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Roddick's career was "excellent?" Define "excellent" please.

Winning a major, reaching #1, having a consistent and long career in the top ten, only slipping out of it the last couple of years before he retired.

 

[90's Clay]

Winning a major, reaching #1, having a consistent and long career in the top ten, only slipping out of it the last couple of years before he retired.

Thats "good". I don't know I would call it "excellent" though

 

[rocketassist]

Roddick's career was "excellent?" Define "excellent" please.

I dont think too many of us are expecting too many americans to come along and do what Sampras and Agassi did but it wouldn't hurt to see some guys win a handful of slams at least and be bigger threats then they were. I fully expected to see a couple of guys pick up the torch and win 4-5 slams anyways. I would have expected to see a few "Couriers" at least. Not 1 slam between ALL of them

Of course it's excellent. A grand slam, 4 other finals, #1 ranking and a Davis Cup win he contributed massively to (not like Boredo who vultured a winners medal)

After 2005 his forehand regressed and he became more of a rallier/pusher/tactician type player, possibly adapting to where the game was heading.

Any career with a grand slam title is an excellent one, is it not?

 

[90's Clay]

Of course it's excellent. A grand slam, 4 other finals, #1 ranking and a Davis Cup win he contributed massively to (not like Boredo who vultured a winners medal)

After 2005 his forehand regressed and he became more of a rallier/pusher/tactician type player, possibly adapting to where the game was heading.

Any career with a grand slam title is an excellent one, is it not?

Compared to what people projected out of Roddick's career? No.. Many thought he would have a "Jim Courier-like" career at the very least.. Not one slam

 

[rocketassist]

Compared to what people projected out of Roddick's career? No..

He got more out of what he had than the infinitely more talented Safin and Nalbandian did (although Safin's resume still trumps his)

He had a great serve in his prime and a great forehand till 2006 but no plan B- his slice wasn't great, his volleys average and his backhand ordinary. Americans overhyped him cause of their past great players.

He did very well with what he had. Had Federer not played probably the highest level of tennis I've ever seen over a three-year period, he would have had even more.

 

[90's Clay]

A huge serve and FH could take you a long ways 7-8 years ago.. He also blew some big matches (even against Fed) he very well could have won or was certainly in position to.

He did well for what he had.. But he had many chances to do more.

I certainly never expected only ONE slam for the guy regardless of how overall limited he was. I expected 3-4 at the very least. Even with Roger around

The way I see it.. If guys like Tsonga and Berdych and Soderling could take Fed out a slam, I see NO REASON Why Roddick shouldn't have at least a couple of times. He also played Fed enough to where he should have worked on some things (some different strategies) to beat him.

 

[rocketassist]

A huge serve and FH could take you a long ways 7-8 years ago.. He also blew some big matches (even against Fed) he very well could have won or was certainly in position to.

He did well for what he had.. But he had many chances to do more.

I certainly never expected only ONE slam for the guy regardless of how overall limited he was. I expect 3-4 at the very least.

The way I see it.. If guys like Tsonga and Berdych and Soderling could take Fed out a slam, I see NO REASON Why Roddick shouldn't have at least a couple of times

Federer of 04 and Federer of 2010-11 are almost nothing alike. The latter is a huge shadow of the former. In 04 power hitters were an absolute gimme for him because he moved quicker, timed the ball better and his defence-to-offence game was so much better so he would just deflect heavy hitting missiles back twice as fast, but as he has aged, he's lost that ability and now those big hitters can often overpower him.

Roddick armed with his old forehand and serve would have relished taking on the current Federer a lot more than the one back then, that's for sure.

 

[90's Clay]

Federer of 04 and Federer of 2010-11 are almost nothing alike. The latter is a huge shadow of the former. In 04 power hitters were an absolute gimme for him because he moved quicker, timed the ball better and his defence-to-offence game was so much better so he would just deflect heavy hitting missiles back twice as fast, but as he has aged, he's lost that ability and now those big hitters can often overpower him.

Roddick armed with his old forehand and serve would have relished taking on the current Federer a lot more than the one back then, that's for sure.

An Old SLOW Agassi was taking Fed to 5 sets at the slams in 2004. Why the heck couldn't a peak Roddick beat him at least once or twice? It makes no sense to me for Roddick to have some ridiculous 3-23 h2h or whatever it is vs. Roger. I didn't expect him to own the h2h of course, but that pathetic of a h2h. To me inexcusable. You shouldn't lose that many times in a row to another top player if you are a top player.. You do whatever you can to make some necessary adjustments WHATEVER it is.

 

[rocketassist]

An Old SLOW Agassi was taking Fed to 5 sets at the slams in 2004. Why the heck couldn't a peak Roddick beat him at least once or twice? It makes no sense to me for Roddick to have some ridiculous 3-23 h2h or whatever it is vs. Roger. I didn't expect him to own the h2h of course, but that pathetic of a h2h. To me inexcusable. You shouldn't lose that many times in a row to another top player if you are a top player.. You do whatever you can to make some necessary adjustments WHATEVER it is.

He wasn't a slow Agassi. What you have to remember is Agassi missed a lot of tournaments in his younger days (never played AO for a few years), and also went off the boil in 97 with the whole crystal meth and dropping to 140 odd in the world, so he hadn't played as many matches going into his 30s as other players his age would have at the time.

Not to mention his return game and ground game, not to mention defence-to-offence are far superior to what Roddick's ever were.

 

[nethawkwenatchee]

The Americans think everyone should be as good as Sampras, Agassi, McEnroe or Connors. Doesn't work that way. That's why despite Roddick's excellent career, he's under-appreciated.

Roddick isn't "under-appreciated" in the States. The guy had a steller career: maybe not an Agassi or McEnroe from an X's and O's career highlight point of view but very popular. Hell, the guy sells more tennis raquets than the whole lot combined and he's certainly been compensated like a champion.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Roddick isn't "under-appreciated" in the States. The guy had a steller career: maybe not an Agassi or McEnroe from an X's and O's career highlight point of view but very popular. Hell, the guy sells more tennis raquets than the whole lot combined and he's certainly been compensated like a champion.

He is a champion, he's won a major.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

if Andy Roddick's career isn't 'excellent', I don't know whose is!

Legend

So pleased to have been at his last AO match (against Hewitt)

 

[Borrelli]

Slowing of the courts killed Roddick, it gave guys more of a chance to get their racquet on the ball. Federer also being the great returner that he is definitely did some damage as well. Overall Roddick was a bit of a let down. Being too stubborn to change up his game when things weren't working was insanity.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Compared to what people projected out of Roddick's career? No.. Many thought he would have a "Jim Courier-like" career at the very least.. Not one slam

Because the great players were on the way out, and Roddick "seemed" destined for dominance. But really, it wasn't meant to be. Roddick was never going to dominate the game. He simply did not have the athleticism, net game, backhand, return, or overall baseline craft. Who cares what people projected him to be? Those people were wrong and caught up in the hype. Hell, McEnroe in the 2003 Wimby SF match said Federer hit a "Roddick-like" forehand. In that same telecast, Ted Robinson implied they were more or less equal talent-wise. C'mon, lets be real.
When you compare his natural talent to the results he achieved, there's not that big of a discrepancy.

You'd have to be on another planet to think Roddicks career wasn't excellent. Again, this guy 90s clay reminds me of those internet Hemingways (who that whole "most interesting man in the world" commercial was based on) with the fake high standards, who see a picture of an attractive woman, and say something outlandish and pretend they wouldn't bang em if they had the chance.
To say a guy who won a major, 30 titles, and was a world number 1 with only a serve, forehand and grit had merely a "good career" is hilarious. Yeah, I'm sure his expoits don't even come close to yours.

 

[nethawkwenatchee]

He is a champion, he's won a major.

I know he's one a major and yes he's a champion on a variety of levels. The post was refuting the notion that he's not liked here in the U.S. He only won the one major but he had a run of ~ 10 years in the top ten and made dump truck loads of money. Not exactly "under-appreciated". After all, kids go out and buy the tennis raquet and shoes to be like Andy.

 

[jokinla]

Think it's safe to say Fish is done for good. He had a decent career.

I think you're right, Roddick left, I'm sure this will influence Fish, and heart problems are nothing to ignore, so I'd say he's gone. He was already in great shape, so what more could he do, other than retire. Hopefully Blake won't follow though, I'm hoping he makes one more top 20 run before retiring.

 

[jokinla]

Compared to what people projected out of Roddick's career? No.. Many thought he would have a "Jim Courier-like" career at the very least.. Not one slam

If Roddick didn't have to play the GOAT in his slam finals, then he would have had a Courier-like career, although Courier was more versatile, but he could have had a couple more slams.

 

[djokovic2008]

Fish one of the nicer guys on tour? No... Can't always listen to what the knucklehead commentators tell you.

I used to be a fan of Mardy, that is until I saw the real Mardy. His outburst against Mathieu and threatening to "kick his ass." Taunting Gasquet in another match. The incident with Tsonga with Mardy saying "I don't speak French dumbass."

Have to agree too as also saw that match and fish acted like a jerk, he and roddick used to have this frat boy thing going on before that got on my nerves. However NOBODY deserves this especially as he got himself in the best shape of his life which is so hard to do later in life.

 

[Feather]

A huge serve and FH could take you a long ways 7-8 years ago.. He also blew some big matches (even against Fed) he very well could have won or was certainly in position to.

He did well for what he had.. But he had many chances to do more.

I certainly never expected only ONE slam for the guy regardless of how overall limited he was. I expected 3-4 at the very least. Even with Roger around

The way I see it.. If guys like Tsonga and Berdych and Soderling could take Fed out a slam, I see NO REASON Why Roddick shouldn't have at least a couple of times. He also played Fed enough to where he should have worked on some things (some different strategies) to beat him.

They did it from 2010 onwards, after Roger was past his prime.

 

[Feather]

It's sad to hear about Mardy Fish. I hope he gets well soon

 

[Crisstti]

I agree Roddick had an excellent career. A good career is something like what Monaco has done.

It is unfortunate this happened to Fish now that he has been playing his best. Then, it's fortunate it didn't happen before.

A pity he couldn't win a masters.

 

[djokovic2008]

I agree Roddick had an excellent career. A good career is something like what Monaco has done.

It is unfortunate this happened to Fish now that he has been playing his best. Then, it's fortunate it didn't happen before.

A pity he couldn't win a masters.

For his skillset he had an excellent career, for a big serve fairly big forehand and average every other department he maxed out his potential.

 

[tennis_pro]

An Old SLOW Agassi was taking Fed to 5 sets at the slams in 2004. Why the heck couldn't a peak Roddick beat him at least once or twice? It makes no sense to me for Roddick to have some ridiculous 3-23 h2h or whatever it is vs. Roger. I didn't expect him to own the h2h of course, but that pathetic of a h2h. To me inexcusable. You shouldn't lose that many times in a row to another top player if you are a top player.. You do whatever you can to make some necessary adjustments WHATEVER it is.

And when exactly was Agassi fast, again? 2004 Andre could hang with all of his previous versions, including 1995. Besides, I remember that match perfectly well as it was played out in terrible conditions, not neccessarily ideal for a guy who paints the lines.

As for Roddick - he was just one of Federer's many victims in 2004-2007. If he peaked after 2008 like Soderling, Berdych and Del Potro did, I'm sure he could beat Federer a couple more times. Federer just pwned big servers and generally big hitters in his prime like it was nothing. The only loss (from the group you mentioned) I can remember is at the Olympics in 2004 to Berdych when Federer was in such crappy form he couldn't hit 2 clean forehands in a row.

 

[DRII]

Sometimes these conditions can rear their ugly head later in life (20s-30s), but generally you're born with the condition and don't find out about it until something extreme happens, like Mardy with his fast heart beat.

I hope Mardy makes a full recovery and can get back to playing tennis soon, but if not, I hope he makes a full recovery anyway and lives his life to the fullest.

Did his new diet and substantial weight loss have anything to do with it?

Truth is, not everyone is meant to be skinny and lean.

 

[sundaypunch]

Fish one of the nicer guys on tour? No... Can't always listen to what the knucklehead commentators tell you.

I used to be a fan of Mardy, that is until I saw the real Mardy. His outburst against Mathieu and threatening to "kick his ass." Taunting Gasquet in another match. The incident with Tsonga with Mardy saying "I don't speak French dumbass."

Unfortunately I feel the same. I don't wish health problems on him but went from being a fan to disliking him some time ago. I won't miss him one bit.

 

[Mainad]

I used to be a fan of Mardy, that is until I saw the real Mardy. His outburst against Mathieu and threatening to "kick his ass." Taunting Gasquet in another match. The incident with Tsonga with Mardy saying "I don't speak French dumbass."

He does seem to have a particular problem with French players. Most of these incidents seem to involve him and a French guy! I wonder why they rub him up the wrong way so much? Did one of them sleep with his girlfriend or sister or something? ;-)

I guess he will be taking the best possible medical advice about playing on with his heart condition. Pulling out ahead of the AO which is still almost 2 months away and just 2 months after pulling out of the USO doesn't look good. We'll have to wait and see but it frankly doesn't bode well to me.

He is the 3rd former top 10 player who may be forced to retire soon through persistent illness or injury along with Soderling and Monfils!

 

[tacou]

Unfortunate. Whether he ever plays again or not is debatable, but it's doubtful he will ever seriously compete in the top 10 again :/

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Did his new diet and substantial weight loss have anything to do with it?

Truth is, not everyone is meant to be skinny and lean.

I think a look back on his family history with the disease will give a more complete story. His mother or father, or even his grandparents could have (had) the same disease Mardy does.


I don't think his weight loss had a direct impact on his bad heart, although over exerting himself in order to maintain his level of fitness may be an underlying cause. Mardy did get incredibly thin, and when you get so thin you don't have much body fat, it starts eating away at your heart. His diet may need to be looked at because not eating enough can cause similiar problems, but I believe it's an inherited disease.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

Mardy Fish is a jerk glad he's not playing the Australian Open his attitude towards Simon during the US OPEN this year was disgusting.

 

[sureshs]

Very fishy isn't it?

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

So he hopes to come back at the SAP Open in San Jose, which no longer exists? More like likely Memphis or Indian Wells, hopefully.

 

[GS]

Yep, Chief, the SAP Open in San Jose is gone after next February. It's the 2nd longest-held tournament in America. And the Farmer's Classic in L.A. is now gone.
And this is California, a tennis hotspot....

 

[okdude1992]

Fish one of the nicer guys on tour? No... Can't always listen to what the knucklehead commentators tell you.

I used to be a fan of Mardy, that is until I saw the real Mardy. His outburst against Mathieu and threatening to "kick his ass." Taunting Gasquet in another match. The incident with Tsonga with Mardy saying "I don't speak French dumbass."

Yea Fish is actually kind of a jerk, especially compared to how people make him out to be. Anyway, too bad he is out, and his heart condition is still an issue. I like his game.

 

[okdude1992]

A huge serve and FH could take you a long ways 7-8 years ago.. He also blew some big matches (even against Fed) he very well could have won or was certainly in position to.

He did well for what he had.. But he had many chances to do more.

I certainly never expected only ONE slam for the guy regardless of how overall limited he was. I expected 3-4 at the very least. Even with Roger around

The way I see it.. If guys like Tsonga and Berdych and Soderling could take Fed out a slam, I see NO REASON Why Roddick shouldn't have at least a couple of times. He also played Fed enough to where he should have worked on some things (some different strategies) to beat him.

Roddick had to deal with a PRIME Federer. Prime Fed was a nearly unstoppable force. There's a reason he's racked up so many slams, and titles. The fact that he's still near the top says something. And yea Old Agassi gave Prime Fed some tough matches, but he never won any once Fed's career really took off. Not to mention, old Agassi was still an elite player.