KRISTEN’S KOURT: Roddick Isn’t Going Quietly

Written by: Staff on 3rd September 2012

KRISTEN'S KOURT: Roddick Isn't Going Quietly

epa03381022 Andy Roddick of the US reacts after defeating Fabio Fognini of Italy during their match on the seventh day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2012. The US Open runs through Sunday 09 September 2012. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH |

By Kristen Tracy

It seems like ages but in fact, it was just 3 days ago that Andy Roddick announced his retirement from professional tennis at the conclusion of this year’s US Open Championships. It was an announcement that stunned the sports world and made headlines across the country. “It’s too soon,” everyone said. “Why now?” asked others. And yet, for the past year and a half, Roddick has been constantly scrutinized by the tennis world for not playing at the level he once did when he was in his prime. Now, after fervently admitting that it is time to hang up his racket, he’s suddenly loved and cherished – so much so that the same people who have been looming the issue of retirement over his head for the last year are now trying to convince him to not leave the game. Kind of ironic, isn’t it?

While it is undoubtedly nearing the end for Andy Roddick, the American is looking to have a dream run at this year’s US Open – similar to the one compatriot (and onetime coach) Jimmy Connors had in 1991. Going into the US Open that year, Connors was ranked 174 in the world. After learning he’d play Patrick McEnroe in the first round, many believed his bid for the title wouldn’t last long. But he miraculously found himself in the semifinals, in the year the catapulted Connors to be the star he is known as today.

While Andy isn’t looking to catapult his career (in fact he’s looking to do the exact opposite), he is looking to leave his mark on the game of tennis. He’s already known for having the biggest serve in the game, his comedic timing is impeccable, and he is hands down a future first ballot Tennis Hall of Fame nominee. But even knowing the end is near, he still refuses to go quietly.

Roddick has never been one to give less than 100% – and the fact that he’s anywhere between one and four matches away from being done for good doesn’t change that one bit. In fact, it’s part of the reason he’s retiring at what many seem to think is an awfully young age. He’s said that he refuses to “just exist” on the tour. If he knows he can’t give the 100% he wants to, than he’s not willing to just go in part of the way. That’s something many should respect and admire about Roddick. He’s been criticized over the years for maybe having too much of a temper (although he seems to have become much calmer since marrying wife Brooklyn Decker), but no one can ever say that he’s given a match away. He has fought to the finish in every match he’s played. And with a serve and forehand as powerful as Roddick’s, it’s surprising he made it through his first 10-11 years without any major injuries. It was only within the last year or so that the effects of that serve came to fruition.

Today at the US Open, Roddick took to the court against Italian Fabio Fognini. And in what turned out to be a much more challenging and closer match than expected, he fought as hard as he ever has, and avoided retirement for a couple more days. The emotion and the enthusiasm shown by the crowd in favor of the American today was endearing. It was also a little frustrating. You know that saying “you never know what you have until it’s gone?” Well that seems to be the case with Roddick. The media (and fans alike) have been relentless in their criticism and have practically begged him to retire over the past year and a half, and yet now that that time has actually come, they seem to adore him once again.

Regardless of what the anyone says, Andy Roddick will forever be known as one of the greatest players to ever play the game – and the one that held up the reputation of American tennis when it seemed to be heading south.

Follow Kristen on Twitter! @KristensKourt

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Topics: American tennis news, Andy Roddick, Connors, Fabio Fognini, Mcenroe, Sports, Tennis Hall Of Fame, Tennis News, US Open 2012