clayman2000
Hall of Fame
Andy Roddick played the best match of his life this Sunday, and still couldn't win. We all know he is devestated, but we also know that his career is not over. Let me analyze his game from Wimbledon:
Serve -- great variety, starting to serve in the 140's again. 2nd serve was clutch. Only negative was that 1st serves were missing at the key moments
Forhand -- will never hit many FH winners, but is certainly capable of forcing players back. It is much more consistent, and he can stay with the bigs from the baseline (for the most part)
Backhand -- one of the most underrated shots in the game. This was the reason why he won the 1st set, and also why he beat Murray. Federer could not attack the Roddick BH because it was rock solid.
Vollleys -- much improved. Fed is clearly not the same passer as he was in 05 and 06, but he can read players better and is solid. That choke in the 2nd set tiebreak was nerves combined with still being a little bit uncomfortable at net. With more matches like this, it will improve
As of right now, there is no reason to say he cannot beat anyone on tour. Murray has become very passive, Djokovic is playing with the mental ability of Marat Safin, Nadal is hurt (we dont know what he will be like). He will likely never have to play Tsonga as he is way too inconsistent, Del Po would not have beaten Roddick the way he was playing this Wimby.
Anyways, I am expecting good things from Roddick this Wimbledon. In fact, it is no longer a Big 4 for me, but a "Top 6". Roddick has clearly shown his ability. I fully expect him to be no 5 by the USO, and deserves to be ranked higher than Djoker, but lets see if he can sustain his play.
As for this years US Open, he to me is currently the 2nd favourite for the tourney. Here is why. He is the best server on tour right now, and his return game has really cleaned up. Before on a HC, i could only see Fed, Murray and Rafa taking him out. But now, i think only Fed would be a legit favourite. Despite his good results on grass, he has been very shaky. At Queens, he was lucky that he faced some of the weaker returners on tour (Fish), some of the mindless ballbashers (Blake) and some of the Happy-to-be-there vets (Ferrero). If Murray wants to stay no 3 or move up to 2, he has to be more agressive. Djokovic to me is a non-factor in majors now. Roddick, Fed, Murray, Rafa, Tsonga, Del Po, Haas would all be favourites against him in my mind if they played. He has the potential, but has not shown the want. As for Rafa, I am still convinced he has at least 3 - 4 majors in him. I think he is gearing up for a USO win, but until he plays i cannot place him above Roddick.
Finally, here is why i think Roddick will win another Slam:
1) He is still relitively young, and healthy. Despite the early fear that his back would be done by now, he has managed to change his service motion ever so slightly that his back is not ass stressed. If you dont believe me watch him in 03 / 04
2)I cannot see him loosing to anyone not named Rafa, Fed or Murray. Maybe on a good day Djokovic too. As we have seen, Murray and Djokovic are prone to loosing to hot players in slams.
3)Federer's streak of 21 slam semis, and 6 straight GS finals will come to an end. He is no longer immune to threats, and after a fantastic tourney, looked only "very good" in the final. The Magic was missing at times
4)He is too good not to. For a moment in the 2nd set, and at double break point on Fed's serve in the 5th, everyone thought Roddick would win. While he couldnt cash in, I think the moment got to him. I just feel like justice is always served in tennis. Federer was given a FO, Safin's lack of work ethic made him an average player for msot of his career, Goran deserved a Wimby after 3 final losses. For me, if justice is served Roddick will win another major
Serve -- great variety, starting to serve in the 140's again. 2nd serve was clutch. Only negative was that 1st serves were missing at the key moments
Forhand -- will never hit many FH winners, but is certainly capable of forcing players back. It is much more consistent, and he can stay with the bigs from the baseline (for the most part)
Backhand -- one of the most underrated shots in the game. This was the reason why he won the 1st set, and also why he beat Murray. Federer could not attack the Roddick BH because it was rock solid.
Vollleys -- much improved. Fed is clearly not the same passer as he was in 05 and 06, but he can read players better and is solid. That choke in the 2nd set tiebreak was nerves combined with still being a little bit uncomfortable at net. With more matches like this, it will improve
As of right now, there is no reason to say he cannot beat anyone on tour. Murray has become very passive, Djokovic is playing with the mental ability of Marat Safin, Nadal is hurt (we dont know what he will be like). He will likely never have to play Tsonga as he is way too inconsistent, Del Po would not have beaten Roddick the way he was playing this Wimby.
Anyways, I am expecting good things from Roddick this Wimbledon. In fact, it is no longer a Big 4 for me, but a "Top 6". Roddick has clearly shown his ability. I fully expect him to be no 5 by the USO, and deserves to be ranked higher than Djoker, but lets see if he can sustain his play.
As for this years US Open, he to me is currently the 2nd favourite for the tourney. Here is why. He is the best server on tour right now, and his return game has really cleaned up. Before on a HC, i could only see Fed, Murray and Rafa taking him out. But now, i think only Fed would be a legit favourite. Despite his good results on grass, he has been very shaky. At Queens, he was lucky that he faced some of the weaker returners on tour (Fish), some of the mindless ballbashers (Blake) and some of the Happy-to-be-there vets (Ferrero). If Murray wants to stay no 3 or move up to 2, he has to be more agressive. Djokovic to me is a non-factor in majors now. Roddick, Fed, Murray, Rafa, Tsonga, Del Po, Haas would all be favourites against him in my mind if they played. He has the potential, but has not shown the want. As for Rafa, I am still convinced he has at least 3 - 4 majors in him. I think he is gearing up for a USO win, but until he plays i cannot place him above Roddick.
Finally, here is why i think Roddick will win another Slam:
1) He is still relitively young, and healthy. Despite the early fear that his back would be done by now, he has managed to change his service motion ever so slightly that his back is not ass stressed. If you dont believe me watch him in 03 / 04
2)I cannot see him loosing to anyone not named Rafa, Fed or Murray. Maybe on a good day Djokovic too. As we have seen, Murray and Djokovic are prone to loosing to hot players in slams.
3)Federer's streak of 21 slam semis, and 6 straight GS finals will come to an end. He is no longer immune to threats, and after a fantastic tourney, looked only "very good" in the final. The Magic was missing at times
4)He is too good not to. For a moment in the 2nd set, and at double break point on Fed's serve in the 5th, everyone thought Roddick would win. While he couldnt cash in, I think the moment got to him. I just feel like justice is always served in tennis. Federer was given a FO, Safin's lack of work ethic made him an average player for msot of his career, Goran deserved a Wimby after 3 final losses. For me, if justice is served Roddick will win another major
