Andy Roddick stormed back to form at the Cincinnati Masters, winning his first title
of the year. After outplaying Daniele Bracciali, Andy Murray and Fernando Gonzalez en
route to the final, he overpowered the resurgent Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight
sets and re-established himself in the world's top ten.
Roddick, nicknamed "A-Rod", linked up with former world number one Jimmy Connors at the
end of July, but his preparations for the US Open suffered a blow when he injured his back
at the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles. Forced to withdraw from the Legg Mason Tennis
Classic and the Toronto Masters, his success in Cincinnati was far from expected. It was
his first title on the tour since winning in Lyon in October 2005.
A booming serve and a blistering forehand served Roddick well as he graduated from a
hugely successful junior career and he soon had to carry the burden of American expectation
as Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi basked in the twilight of their careers. Sampras dubbed
Roddick "the future of American tennis" and John McEnroe insisted he was "America's brightest
hope". Compelled to adjust quickly to life on the professional tour, Roddick commented: "In
2001 I went into the year ranked about 160 and ended it about 14. You don't really think about
it until it's happened." 2003 was his breakthrough year. In the 2003 Australian Open quarter-finals
he battled to victory against Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui in a five hour epic. The fifth set
became the longest fifth set in a Grand Slam in the open era. It finished 21-19 in the
American's favour. Under the wing of former pro Brad Gilbert, Roddick went on to enjoy an
outstanding hardcourt record that summer and capped it with the US Open title.
Despite reaching the Wimbledon final for the second time, 2005 was a disappointing year and
commentators began to question his commitment to the game and his ability to play at the
highest level. The criticism intensified when he lost to Britain's Andy Murray in the
third round at Wimbledon earlier this year. His success at Cincinnati, however, should
serve as a springboard for another attempt at shedding that 'one-slam wonder' tag when the
US Open gets underway next week.
It was Andy's elder brother, John, who was expected to excel at tennis. In 1993, their
father, Jerry, an investor, and their mother, Blanche, who now directs the Andy
Roddick Foundation, moved to Florida so that John could have the opportunity to develop his
game, but, unfortunately, persistent back problems meant he never turned pro. He now runs
the Roddick-Moros International Tennis Academy in San Antonio, Texas. When Andy parted
company with Dean Goldfine at the end of 2005, John took over for a time as his brother's
coach. Oldest brother Lawrence was an accomplished spring board diver and a member of the
US Senior National Team.
The Andy Roddick Foundation has raised over $2.2 million for various charities and Roddick
received the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 2004. He has hosted the popular American
comedy program Saturday Night Live. His leisure activities include listening to music and
watching movies.
|
