Prior to the 2011 Australian Open, Andy Roddick’s camp (Doug Spreen, Lance Hooten, and Larry Stefanki) had never seen Andy so “hungry” to compete this year, especially at the first Major of the year, the 2011 Australian Open.
In the early rounds, Roddick looked rather strong ousting Hajek (6-1, 6-2, 6-2), Hunitsyn (7-6, 6-2, 6-3) in the first two rounds, then had a small hiccup in the first set of the third round where it seemed to take Roddick a little longer than usual to find his stride. Roddick eventually sent Haase packing in four sets (2-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2). In the fourth round, Roddick was set to meet the “other” Swiss, Stanlisas Warwrinka (seeded 19th).
Early in the tennis match, Roddick seemed out of sorts, dropping serve early on in the first, second, and third sets. Roddick had no answer to Warwrinka’s service game, being aced 24 times and piled error after error in the match. Warwinka basically outplayed Roddick from the start, the Swiss had answers for almost every shot that Roddick had.
Between the second and third set, Roddick looked up at his camp and threw his hand up in complete confusion with what looked like “I don’t know what I’m doing here, please help me!” Roddick couldn’t turn the match around in his favor, which lead him to a quick straight sets loss to Warwrinka, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Coincidentally, Roger Federer called the match in Warwrinka’s favor during a post match interview, stating that “Warwrinka chases down balls and is effective against his [Roddicks’] game.”.
Looking at Roddick’s performance in that particular match, it appeared that he was right where he was at the end of the 2010 tennis season, somewhat lackluster about playing tennis. Roddick’s tennis game was a little more passive and not nearly aggressive enough to be effective against baseline grinder like Warwrinka. Roddick has a lot to think about for the rest of the 2011 tennis season, he needs to be thinking about his quickness around the court and should focus a lot more on footwork, chasing down balls, and constructing better points. But really, what do we know? We just watch the tennis and discuss on here.
What do you all think? Was Roddick’s performance at the Australian Open something that left a lot to be desired or did he give it his best shot? Comment to discuss.
I dont Think Roddick played well but he played ok its just that in the Rallys Roddick ground strokes had no pace on them and the Ball Was just Sitting up Waiting to be hit.
In the Ralyys There was no mix like slice flat it was all floaty Top spin and i feel Roddick and his Coaching team Should Work on Flatting out his forehand and Serve And Volley More , buy he did play wawrinka who played the best match i have ever seen before the match i fought Roddick Would be too Consistent and strong from the back of the court but Wawrinka hit so many Winners and served Better and returned better but he be back i think !!