KRISTEN’S KOURT: Roddick Ousted; Retirement Question Still Looms

Written by: Staff on 1st August 2012

KRISTEN'S KOURT: Roddick Ousted; Retirement Question Still Looms

epa03329739 Andy Roddick of the US returns to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 31 July 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

By Kristen Tracy

Yesterday’s tennis portion of the 2012 London games saw some incredible highs, and some lower than lows. In what was most likely his final Olympics, Andy Roddick found his hopes of a medal dashed much sooner than he expected – or would have liked.

Though Andy Roddick held a 5-3 head-to-head record against Novak Djokovic going into today’s second round match, it was the first time the two had ever met on grass. And while Djokovic was the clear favorite to win, many (including yours truly) thought that if Roddick was going to pull an upset at all his best chance would come in an earlier round – even if that earlier round was against the world no. 2. That definitely was not the case though. Say what you will; maybe it was the lack of rest from playing the day before, or maybe it was that Novak was just too good. Either way, Andy Roddick was on the court and in the match no other way but physically. In only 54 minutes, Roddick found himself out of medal contention – and in the worst way possible.

The past few years have been tough for Roddick. The issue of retirement has been floating around for months, and even though he’s won two titles so far this year in the last 3 months, many think it’s time for him to hang up his racket. And although I am among the many that can’t wait for the day that Roddick brings his wit and sarcasm to the broadcasting and commentating booth, I know that time isn’t soon. “I feel like it’s extremes with me right now,” Andy said. “If I win one, it’s like Career Appreciation Day. Then if I lose, it’s like we should take him out in the field and shoot him in the head.”

He’s right. No one ever seems to be happy enough with his performance. Even when he does win, it’s only because ‘the field wasn’t that strong,’ or ‘he had an easy draw.’ Never mind the fact that he actually played well. Any win of his nowadays is either the greatest achievement of his life or a total fluke. And then when he can’t win, people rip him to shreds. Keep in mind this is the same guy who is only one of two players to have won a title every year for the last 10 years (the other being Federer).

If you ask me, it’s time we lay off of Roddick. As long as he’s still enjoying the game and wants to put in the effort, let’s let him. He’s not stupid. He knows that he probably doesn’t have too many years left. So allow him to enjoy the time he does have. Because regardless of the fact that he has only one grand slam title and spent only a minuscule amount of time ranked no. 1 in the world, he is still one of the best to ever play the game.

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Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Roddick, Kristen Tracy, London tennis Olympics, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News