Roddick Pulls Out of Delray Due To Illness

Written by: Staff on 21st February 2011

Roddick Pulls Out of Delray Due To Illness |

From www.yellowtennisball.com

Roddick said he began feeling the flu-like symptoms Sunday before he played in the championship match of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, which he won, and he was feeling worse Monday.

“I woke up (Sunday) and I felt like I’d been hit by a bus,” Roddick said, adding that his body was aching and that he stayed in bed until a half-hour before the Memphis final started. “I woke up (Monday) morning and my bed was soaking wet from sweat during the night.”

It’s been eight years since Roddick last played in the Delray Beach ITC and he said that he was excited about returning to the tournament that was his first ATP-level event.

“I’m very disappointed. I’ve waited too long to come back and play this tournament,” said Roddick, a former resident of nearby Boca Raton where he played in high school.

“It’s just unfortunate timing. I was looking forward to coming back. South Florida always has supported me so much. There’s many reasons I wanted to get through this, but I honestly don’t feel I can go out there and give my best, and that’s something that I’m in a habit of doing. I need to get better before I play.”

Roddick had a bout with mononucleosis last summer, further prompting him to be cautious with any illness. “I’m not willing to risk that again,” he said.

Roddick, who is ranked No. 8 in the world, was not scheduled to play his first-round match until Tuesday night, but he decided to withdraw from the tournament on Monday so the player who takes his place will have time to prepare. ITC tournament director Mark Baron said he was disappointed, but that he appreciates the gesture by Roddick to pull out now instead of waiting until the 11th hour to decide.

“It could have been devastating if it happened before the match (Tuesday night),” Baron said. “I respect him for doing it today. Losing Andy does affect the tournament, of course. This is the strongest draw we’ve ever had in our history. It would have been even stronger if Andy could have played, but I respect him for pulling out at this time.”

Roddick’s decision to withdraw came 24 hours after he won in Memphis, his 30th ATP World Tour title that places him in elite company. He joins Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the only active tennis players to win at least 30 ATP titles. Roddick’s three-set victory Sunday against Canadian Milos Raonic ended when Roddick delivered a remarkable diving forehand shot down the line on match point. After the match, Roddick proclaimed that it was the “best shot I’ve ever hit in my life.” He said Monday that he was the first to view the shot on YouTube in the locker room after the match, and didn’t realize he had made it until “three seconds after the shot I heard the crowd go nuts.”

Roddick’s spot atop the ITC main draw bracket will be filled by qualifier Marinko Matosevic of Australia. Matosevic will face Dudi Sela of Israel in the first round.

Baron announced that Tuesday’s evening session would begin at 5:30 pm with a Ashley Fisher/Stephen Huss vs. Jack Sock/Donald Young doubles match, followed by a 7:15 pm Juan Martin del Potro vs Richard Berankis ATP World Tour first round match, followed by the ATP Champions Tour Final.