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RODDICK NEEDS MUCH WORK FOR A RUN AT NO. 1View Discussions
Posted on March 9, 2003
By Richard Vach, Tennis-X.com
While Andy Roddick has made a big splash on the American tennis scene over
the last two years, and is currently entrenched in the Top 10 on the ATP
Rankings, his inability to beat the big boys (in addition to his
exploitably weak backhand) have many wondering if we have seen the extent
of his abilities.
Especially with the rise in February/March of Memphis winner and Scottsdale
semifinalist Taylor Dent, and the ever-steady play of James Blake, you have
to wonder if a big serve and big forehand are enough to carry Roddick to
the pinnacle of the men's game, and if he will be the top American a year
from now. Roddick has won five minor titles, but has yet to reach a slam
final or win a Tennis Masters Series event.
"The difference between me and them (up-and-coming American players) is
that I bring it week in and week out," said Roddick at Delray Beach, where
he twisted his ankle then defaulted to Mardy Fish during an early-round
match. "They get a big win then lose to somebody they shouldn't. But
they're starting to move up. It would be nice to have some company."
That's a nice rap, but A-Rod's record when he faces another big server on
tour, or an established Top 10er in general, makes you wonder if he can
"bring it" against the better players.
Roddick's record against the other big-servers in the Top 100 is abysmal:
0-1 vs. Goran Ivanisevic, 0-1 vs. Greg Rusedski, 0-1 vs. Taylor Dent, 0-1
vs. Marat Safin, 0-3 vs. Tommy Haas, 0-1 vs. Thomas Enqvist, and 0-2
against Jan-Mike Gambill. A-Rod's message is, "I'll blow you off the court,
unless you can bring the serve too, then I'm in the locker room getting the
early rubdown." He is 2-1 against Pete Sampras, who like him has no
backhand, but other than that he has been dominated by the big boomers.
If A-Rod is looking to climb any higher in the rankings, he is also going
to have to improve on the 1-9 win-loss record he has against the five
players ranked ahead of him. His lone win against the current Top 5 is
against Carlos Moya, and he has collected three "L"s each from Lleyton
Hewitt, Andre Agassi, and Roger Federer.
You've got to wish Andy all the success in the world, but you don't look at
his game and say "That's the complete package" as you do with a Federer.
Someone needs to pull aside coach Tarik Benhabiles and point out: Andy's
backhand is an ATM, the transition game needs work, and the volley is shaky
under pressure. Remember how Mats Wilander decided to put in the work on
approach shots and volleying before claiming the No. 1 ranking in the late
80s? Obviously a big serve and forehand can punch you into the Top 10, but
there is a lot of work to be done in Camp Roddick to climb the summit.
Richard Vach is a writer/editor for Tennis-X.com. He can be reached at rvach@tennis-x.com.View Discussions
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