The 2009 men’s Wimbledon final needed something special in order to come close to the drama of last year’s showdown between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Andy Roddick helped to ensure the climax to this year’s event was just as memorable.
It might have lacked the quality of Nadal’s battle with Federer, but the match was still a rollercoaster ride that broke numerous records. Its 77 games represent the most in a Wimbledon final and the deciding set was the longest in Grand Slam final history. Roddick will find no consolation in the fact his own tally of 39 games was the highest ever in a Wimbledon final.
However, Roddick will be content by his Wimbledon performance, which firmly returns him to the big-time. He has long yearned to become more than a one-off Grand Slam winner, and although the wait for his second major continues, he will now be confident that it is an achievable aim.
His straight sets defeat by Federer in this year’s Australian Open, just his second appearance in a Grand Slam semi final in eight attempts, suggested the gap between himself and the elite was bigger than ever.
He has made great strides in the rest of the year. New coach Larry Stefanki has improved his fitness, mobility, technique (especially on the previously weak backhand) and, most importantly, his tactics.
Roddick has always been a clever player, employing decent court sense to show he was more than just brute power. Stefanki has taken this to a new level – the plan of calculated attack that outwitted Andy Murray in the Wimbledon semi finals was perfectly executed. Federer continually struggled to read Roddick’s serve variations and approaches to the net.
A second Grand Slam will still be tough to achieve. Federer is perhaps back to his best and at a year older than Roddick is unlikely to clear a path to the top in the imminent future. The more junior Nadal and Murray will surely only continue to improve.
Roddick has improved enough to suggest that he belongs in that elite company, which he always wanted to be regarded among. He can ensure that this year’s US Open eclipses the 2009 Wimbledon final as his best chance of again lifting major silverware.
Original Story:
http://www.sportsloungeblog.com/2009/...
It might have lacked the quality of Nadal’s battle with Federer, but the match was still a rollercoaster ride that broke numerous records. Its 77 games represent the most in a Wimbledon final and the deciding set was the longest in Grand Slam final history. Roddick will find no consolation in the fact his own tally of 39 games was the highest ever in a Wimbledon final.
However, Roddick will be content by his Wimbledon performance, which firmly returns him to the big-time. He has long yearned to become more than a one-off Grand Slam winner, and although the wait for his second major continues, he will now be confident that it is an achievable aim.
His straight sets defeat by Federer in this year’s Australian Open, just his second appearance in a Grand Slam semi final in eight attempts, suggested the gap between himself and the elite was bigger than ever.
He has made great strides in the rest of the year. New coach Larry Stefanki has improved his fitness, mobility, technique (especially on the previously weak backhand) and, most importantly, his tactics.
Roddick has always been a clever player, employing decent court sense to show he was more than just brute power. Stefanki has taken this to a new level – the plan of calculated attack that outwitted Andy Murray in the Wimbledon semi finals was perfectly executed. Federer continually struggled to read Roddick’s serve variations and approaches to the net.
A second Grand Slam will still be tough to achieve. Federer is perhaps back to his best and at a year older than Roddick is unlikely to clear a path to the top in the imminent future. The more junior Nadal and Murray will surely only continue to improve.
Roddick has improved enough to suggest that he belongs in that elite company, which he always wanted to be regarded among. He can ensure that this year’s US Open eclipses the 2009 Wimbledon final as his best chance of again lifting major silverware.
Original Story:
http://www.sportsloungeblog.com/2009/...
