Andy Roddick, with his booming serve and powerful forehand, is a good tennis player by any standard.But greatness may be beyond his grasp.
Roddick, who was the only American man to survive into the quarters at the US Open, lost again to Roger Federer, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2. It was their 14th match, and the world's #1 has won 13. That's serious ownage.
Roddick and fellow American have some great matches against one another, and they can certainly hold their own against the rest of the world. But the two combined have won just one match in 19 against Federer, which is unacceptable.
This country needs a national tennis hero to expand its fanbase, but neither Blake nor Roddick fit the bill. The contrast between good and great was especially clear Wednesday night, when Roddick played some of his best tennis.
"I'm not walking with any questions in my head this time," Roddick told the New York Times. "I played the right way."
Roddick's service game may have been in top form, but Federer's return was better. Roddick may have been uninhibited in charging the net, but Federer was equally unafraid about passing him, winning half the points in which Roddick was the aggressor.
In short, Roddick was good, but Federer was great.
2 comments:
With the players that I see around right now, I'm think Sampras will start looking alot better as time goes on to Americans. It will be years before there is another tennis legend like him.
I'm enjoying the domination by Nadal and Federer, I just wish Andy Murray would get on board soon and start winning some majors.
i agree, it will be a long time before we see another american tennis player anywhere near the level of sampras, but 18 yr old donald young and ncaa champ jon isner did have strong showings at the open, giving americans some hope
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