Andy Roddick

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Andy Roddick
Roddick at the 2004 Rogers Cup.
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceAustin, Texas
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Turned pro2000
PlaysRight; Two-handed backhand
Prize money$11,550,406
Singles
Career record355 - 112
Career titles21
Highest rankingNo. 1 (November 3, 2003)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenSF (2003, 2005)
French Open3rd (2001)
WimbledonF (2004, 2005)
US OpenW (2003)
Doubles
Career record44 - 34
Career titles3
Highest rankingNo. 87 (August 18, 2003)
Last updated on: November 7, 2006.

Andrew Stephen ("Andy") Roddick (born August 30, 1982) is an American professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. He currently is ranked fifth in the world, stands fourth in the ATP Race, and is the No. 1 ranked American player.[1]

Roddick is known for his explosive serves and powerful forehands. He also holds the fastest serve record in professional tennis, clocked at 155 mph, or 249 km/h.[2]

Early life and family

Roddick was born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised in Austin, Texas and Boca Raton, Florida. He splits time between Austin and Boca Raton. Roddick's father, Jerry, is an investor and his mother, Blanche, directs the Andy Roddick Foundation. Roddick's brother John was an All-American tennis player at the University of Georgia from 1996 to 1998, currently owns and operates the Roddick-Moros International Tennis Academy in San Antonio, Texas, and was Andy's coach following Roddick's split with Dean Goldfine. His oldest brother, Lawrence, a chiropractor in San Antonio, was an accomplished springboard diver and a member of the U.S. Senior National Team.

Career

Young professional

Roddick turned professional in 2000 at the age of 18.

In 2001, Roddick became the youngest player to end the year in the ATP Top 20. At Wimbledon that year, he showed his potential by taking a set from eventual winner Goran Ivanisevic.

Roddick's breakthrough year was in 2003, and many consider his 2003 Australian Open quarterfinal versus Younes El Aynaoui to be his breakthrough match. Roddick and the Moroccan battled for five hours, with the fifth set being one for the record books. The 21-19 set in favor of Roddick was the longest fifth set in a Grand Slam tournament during the open era. Both players maintained exceptional unforced errors-to-winners ratios and high quality of play even at the closing stages of the match. Despite a lackluster French Open, Roddick enjoyed success in England by winning Queen's Club and reaching the Wimbledon semifinals. And this success carried over the Atlantic to the United States.

Grand slam finalist

Roddick's hardcourt record in 2003 included his first Masters Series titles – coming at Canada and Cincinnati – and his first Grand Slam title. At the U.S. Open, Roddick rallied from two sets down and a match point against him in the semifinals to beat David Nalbandian. He then defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. By the end of the year, at age 21, he was ranked No. 1, the first American to finish a year at No. 1 since Andre Agassi in 1999. He also became the youngest American and second-youngest player (behind Australian Lleyton Hewitt, aged 20 years, 8 months) to hold this rank since computer rankings were started in 1973.

Roddick was unexpectedly knocked out of the 2004 U.S. Open in a five set quarterfinal against another big server, Joachim Johansson. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Roddick lost to Chilean Fernando González, the eventual bronze medal winner, in the third round. Roddick was part of a U.S. tennis delegation that included Taylor Dent, Mardy Fish, Vince Spadea, Bob and Mike Bryan, Martina Navratilova, Venus Williams, Chanda Rubin, and Lisa Raymond. Later that year, Roddick teamed up again with Fish and the Bryans on the U.S. Davis Cup team that lost to Spain in the finals in Seville. Roddick lost his singles match against Rafael Nadal, who would in the following year win the French Open. By the end of 2004, Roddick fired his coach of 18 months, Brad Gilbert, and hired assistant Davis Cup coach Dean Goldfine. Roddick finished 2004 ranked as the world's No. 2, the U.S.'s No. 1, and the player with the most aces (1017).

Roddick's first 2005 tournament victory was the SAP Open in San Jose, California, where he was the first to win the event in consecutive years since Mark Philippoussis in 1999 and 2000. The top-seeded Roddick defeated Cyril Saulnier 6-0, 6-4 in 50 minutes, the event's first championship shutout set since Arthur Ashe beat Guillermo Vilas in 1975. In April, Roddick won the U.S. Men's Claycourt Championships, reclaiming the title he won in 2001 and 2002. (He lost in 2003 to Agassi and in 2004 to Tommy Haas.) In May 2005, Roddick had match point against Spanish big-hitter Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco was serving, attempting to save the match point on his second serve, when the linesman erroneously called the serve out. If this call had held, Roddick would have won the match. Roddick motioned to the umpire, pointing to the clear ball mark on the clay indicating the ball was in and the call was consequently changed. Verdasco went on to win the match. Many in the American media echoed sentiments such as Roddick had chosen "sportsmanship over a win." However, by Roddick's own admission, the umpire would certainly have come down from his chair since Verdasco was about to challenge the call anyway, and would have been able to see the clear ball mark indicating that the serve was in. Roddick said that he was just saving the umpire a trip.

At the 2005 French Open, Roddick lost to the unseeded Argentine player Jose Acasuso in the second round, and at Wimbledon 2005, Roddick lost to Roger Federer in the final for the second consecutive year. At the 2005 U.S. Open, Roddick was defeated by World No. 70 Gilles Muller in the first round. Roddick's last U.S. Open first round loss had been in 2000. At the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon in 2005, Roddick defeated Gaël Monfils to wrap up a tournament without losing a set or getting his serve broken. Despite reaching the Wimbledon final and Australian Open semifinals, TENNIS Magazine and others criticized Roddick's poor game in 2005.

At the 2006 Australian Open, Roddick lost to Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Roddick played rather tentatively throughout most of the match, excluding the second set, contrary to his promise to be more aggressive[3] In February 2006, Roddick and Goldfine reached a mutual agreement to part ways. Roddick then hired his brother, John Roddick, to coach him.[4] Later in the month, he lost to Andrei Pavel in five sets at Davis Cup play in California but won his next match, enabling the U.S. Davis Cup team to advance to the quarterfinals. In March 2006, Roddick lost to 22-year-old Russian, Igor Andreev in the fourth round of the first Masters Series event of the year, the Pacific Life Open. In April 2006, Roddick lost to Spanish veteran David Ferrer in a quarterfinal of the NASDAQ-100 Open, a Masters Series event.

Falling ranking

Roddick has been under the media spotlight to perform well in the tradition of his immediate predecessors in American tennis: Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, and Andre Agassi. After his fourth round exit from the 2006 Australian Open and first round exits from the 2005 U.S. Open and 2006 French Open, Roddick was criticized by tennis commentators and analysts who questioned his commitment to the game and his ability to play at the highest level of the professional tour. Their major argument was that Roddick lacks diversity and aggression on his backhand side and relies too much on his forehand. Roddick will continue to be under immense media and public scrutiny until he can shed the "one slam wonder" label and back-up his 2003 U.S. Open title with another major championship.

At the 2006 Queen's Club in London, Roddick failed in his "4-peat" attempt, as he fell to compatriot and friend James Blake 7-5, 6-4 in the semifinals. Nevertheless, Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt (who went on the claim to Queen's Club title) entered Wimbledon in 2006 as the two players with the best hopes of dethroning reigning three-time champion Roger Federer. However, in the third round Roddick was defeated 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 by Andy Murray of Great Britain.

Roddick reached his first ATP final of the year at the RCA Championships in Indianapolis, losing to James Blake 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Roddick sustained a side injury during a tournament in Los Angeles, which sidelined him from the tour for two weeks. He rebounded from this at the Cincinnati Masters, defeating Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semifinals and then outplaying Fernando González 6-3, 6-3 to make the final, his first Masters Series final of the year. In the final, Roddick provided another impressive serving display, blasting 17 aces past Juan Carlos Ferrero to win his 21st career title, his second title in Cincinnati, his fourth ATP Masters Series title, and first title of 2006 (6-3, 6-4).

US Open 2006

After winning in Cincinnati, Roddick headed into the US Open with new coach Jimmy Connors. Roddick breezed past his first round opponent Florent Serra 6-2, 6-1, 6-3. Roddick's second round match against Kristian Pless was not much harder as Roddick won 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3. Roddick's first major challenge came in the third round, when he struggled to a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2 victory over Fernando Verdasco. Roddick then made it to the quarterfinals after defeating Andre Agassi's conquerer Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Roddick reached the semifinals for the first time in a 2006 Grand Slam tournament by defeating Australia's Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. Roddick then made it to the final after defeating Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-7(5), 6-0, 7-6(3), 6-3. In the final, Roddick lost 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 to two-time defending champion and World No.1 Roger Federer.

Davis Cup Semifinals

In the first rubber against Russia, Roddick lost to Marat Safin 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(5). Then, after the Bryan brothers won the doubles rubber to keep the US in the tie, Roddick lost to Dmitry Tursunov 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 17-15 in 4 hours 48 minutes.

Equipment

In April 2005, Reebok announced that it would end its contract with Roddick, who had been endorsed by the company since he was 17. Roddick has now joined forces with Lacoste. Roddick also released a cologne with Parlux Fragrances in early 2006.

He is currently using the Pure Drive Roddick Plus Racquet, a signature racquet designed for him by racquet sponsor Babolat. Roddick also uses The Team All Court Roddick Babolat tennis shoes which are Roddick's signature gear.


Playing Style

Roddick's style is that of an offensive baseliner. On a first serve he tends to use his powerful and accurate service to either earn free points with aces/unreturnable serves, or put himself into position to hit a forehand winner. For his second serve, Roddick usually employs a heavy topspin "kick serve," then tries to use a variety of spins, slices and angles in the rally to throw off his opponent and position himself for a winning shot. Roddick will also occasionally use the serve and volley tactic on both first and second services to surprise his opponent, though he generally prefers to remain back after a serve.

One of Roddick's most effective combinations is the serve out wide on the deuce court followed by an inside out forehand winner. Though such a tactic has come to become expected by most opponents, they often struggle so much with returning his serve that they are unable to recover fast enough to chase down his following shot.

Though Roddick's return game has been labeled his greatest weakness, this aspect of his game has vastly improved in recent months. Under the tutelage of coach Jimmy Connors, Roddick has transformed his two-handed backhand and volley, arguably his worst two shots, into reliable weapons in his arsenal.

Trivia

File:AndyXsabrina.jpg
Roddick with Melissa Joan Hart on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
  • After winning the 2004 NASDAQ-100 Open tournament, Roddick opened trading on the NASDAQ on August 20, 2004.
  • Roddick hosted Saturday Night Live on November 8, 2003, becoming the second tennis player (the first being Chris Evert) and only the tenth athlete to do so.
  • Roddick won the 2004 ESPY Award for Best Male Tennis Player.
  • Roddick has been involved in numerous controversies including irritating his fellow players and showing too much of a temper on the court. He has been crticized by Nicholas Lappenti, Todd Martin, and Ivan Ljubicic for being disrespectful on court and stretching the limits of injury time outs. He also used abusive language against Daniele Bracciali in the second round of Wimbledon in 2005. However, Roddick has also been praised for his honesty, including moments where he has overturned calls in his favor. He also is liked by fans for his high energy through matches and emotional attitude.

Grand Slam singles finals

Wins (1)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
2003 U.S. Open Spain Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 7-6, 6-3

Runner-ups (3)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
2004 Wimbledon Switzerland Roger Federer 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4
2005 Wimbledon Switzerland Roger Federer 6-2, 7-6, 6-4
2006 U.S. Open Switzerland Roger Federer 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1

Titles (23)

Singles (21)

Legend
Grand Slam (1)
Tennis Masters Cup (0)
ATP Masters Series (4)
ATP Tour (16)
Titles by Surface
Hard (12)
Clay (5)
Grass (3)
Carpet (1)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score
1. April 23, 2001 Atlanta, USA Clay Belgium Xavier Malisse 6-2, 6-4
2. April 30, 2001 Houston, USA Clay South Korea Hyung-Taik Lee 7-5, 6-3
3. August 13, 2001 Washington, USA Hard Netherlands Sjeng Schalken 6-2, 6-3
4. February 18, 2002 Memphis, USA Hard United States James Blake 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
5. April 22, 2002 Houston, USA Clay United States Pete Sampras 7-6(9), 6-3
6. May 19, 2003 St. Pölten, Austria Clay Russia Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-2
7. June 9, 2003 London Grass France Sébastien Grosjean 6-3, 6-3
8. July 21, 2003 Indianapolis, USA Hard Thailand Paradorn Srichaphan 7-6(2), 6-4
9. August 4, 2003 Montreal, Canada Hard Argentina David Nalbandian 6-1, 6-3
10. August 11, 2003 Cincinnati, USA Hard United States Mardy Fish 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4)
11. August 25, 2003 U.S. Open Hard Spain Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3
12. February 9, 2004 San José, USA Hard United States Mardy Fish 7-6(13), 6-4
13. March 22, 2004 Miami, USA Hard Argentina Guillermo Coria 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-1 retired
14. June 7, 2004 London Grass France Sébastien Grosjean 7-6(4), 6-4
15. July 19, 2004 Indianapolis, USA Hard Germany Nicolas Kiefer 6-2, 6-3
16. 7 February, 2005 San José, USA Hard France Cyril Saulnier 6-0, 6-4
17. 24 April, 2005 Houston, USA Clay France Sébastien Grosjean 6-2, 6-2
18. 6 June, 2005 London Grass Croatia Ivo Karlović 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
19. 7 August, 2005 Washington, USA Hard United States James Blake 7-5, 6-3
20. 30 October 2005 Lyon, France Carpet France Gaël Monfils 6-3, 6-2
21. August 20, 2006 Cincinnati, USA Hard Spain Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-4

Singles finalist (11)

  • 2002: Delray Beach (lost to Davide Sanguinetti)
  • 2002: Canada Masters (lost to Guillermo Canas)
  • 2003: Memphis (lost to Taylor Dent)
  • 2003: Houston (lost to Andre Agassi)
  • 2004: Houston (lost to Tommy Haas)
  • 2004: Wimbledon (lost to Roger Federer)
  • 2004: Canada Masters (lost to Roger Federer)
  • 2004: Bangkok (lost to Roger Federer)
  • 2005: Wimbledon (lost to Roger Federer)
  • 2005: Cincinnati Masters (lost to Roger Federer)
  • 2006: Indianapolis (lost to James Blake)
  • 2006: US Open (lost to Roger Federer)

Performance timeline

To prevent confusion and double counting, information in this table is updated only after a tournament or the player's participation in the tournament has concluded. Davis Cup matches are included in the statistics. This table is current through the ATP Masters Series tournament in Madrid, which ended on October 22, 2006.

Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Career SR Career Win-Loss
Australian Open A A 2R SF QF SF 4R 0 / 5 18-5
French Open A 3R 1R 1R 2R 2R 1R 0 / 6 4-6
Wimbledon A 3R 3R SF F F 3R 0 / 6 23-6
US Open 1R QF QF W QF 1R F 1 / 7 25-6
Grand Slam SR 0 / 1 0 / 3 0 / 4 1 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 1 / 24 N/A
Grand Slam Win-Loss 0-1 8-3 7-4 17-3 15-4 12-4 11-4 N/A 70-23
Tennis Masters Cup A A A SF SF A 0 / 2 5-3
Indian Wells Masters A A A QF QF SF 4R 0 / 4 12-4
Miami Masters 2R QF 2R 3R W 2R QF 1 / 7 15-6
Monte Carlo Masters A A 3R 1R A A A 0 / 2 2-2
Rome Masters A A SF 2R 1R 3R QF 0 / 5 10-5
Hamburg Masters A A 3R 2R A 1R A 0 / 3 3-3
Canada Masters A QF F W F 1R A 1 / 5 19-4
Cincinnati Masters 1R 1R QF W SF F W 2 / 7 24-5
Madrid Masters (Stuttgart) A 3R 2R 3R A 2R 3R 0 / 5 3-5
Paris Masters A 2R QF SF 3R SF A 0 / 5 9-5
Tournaments played 5 19 19 23 20 16 19 N/A 121
Finals reached 0 3 4 8 8 7 3 N/A 33
Tournaments Won 0 3 2 6 4 5 1 N/A 21
Hardcourt Win-Loss 4-5 23-10 34-11 44-10 57-11 30-9 36-10 N/A 228-66
Clay Win-Loss 0-0 12-1 14-7 12-6 5-5 10-3 5-6 N/A 58-28
Grass Win-Loss 0-0 5-3 4-2 10-1 11-1 11-1 7-2 N/A 48-10
Carpet Win-Loss 0-0 2-2 4-2 6-2 1-1 8-1 0-0 N/A 21-8
Overall Win-Loss 4-5 42-16 56-22 72-19 74-18 59-14 48-18 N/A 355-112
Year End Ranking 160 16 10 1 2 3 N/A N/A

A = did not participate in the tournament

SR = the ratio of the number of singles tournaments won to the number of those tournaments played

Doubles (3)

ATP Tour career earnings

Year Majors ATP wins Total wins Earnings ($) Money list rank
2001 0 3 3 746,504 23
2002 0 2 2 1,060,878 16
2003 1 5 6 3,227,342 2
2004 0 4 4 2,604,590 3
2005 0 5 5 1,798,635 4
2006* 0 1 1 $2,004,890 [5] 3
2007
Career 1 20 21 11,521,976 26
* As of October 16, 2006.

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ [2]

External links

Preceded by World No. 1
November 3, 2003 - February 1, 2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by ATP Newcomer of the Year
2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by ATP Player of the Year
2003 		Succeeded by
Roger Federer
Preceded by
Lleyton Hewitt
 ITF World Champion
2003 		Succeeded by
Roger Federer
Preceded by ESPY Best Male Tennis Player
2004 		Succeeded by
Roger Federer
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