Roddick Wins at Key Biscayne

Wednesday, 07 April 2010 13:34 Amit P

Roddick won his first masters' title since 2006. The American has come a long way since his 2003 US Open Title. iSporter Amit Panhale reports.

In his second straight masters’ final in two weeks Roddick steam rolled Tomas Berdych to win his first Masters’ 1000 – one level below the grand slams – title at Key Biscayne. The scoreline tells only as much as it hides. Roddick’s play in the final was so untypical yet superlative as he lobbed, sliced and beat his opponent even at the net. A clear sign of how far the American has come in last decade. Still the road hasn’t been easy.

After his 2003 US Open Crown, A-Rod as he is popularly known, was supposed to be the American flag bearer and carry ahead the legacy of Sampras and Agassi. But yet at crunch moments his game has imploded. ‘Competing against a superstar could make people even more likely to choke’, says the Wall Street Journal about the superstar effect. Roddick’s record of 2-19 against Federer further emphasizes his seizures and exemplifies the superstar effect in front of the Swiss maestro. Against Nadal, Djokovic and Murray he is collectively 6-14. Again nothing to write home about. But in spite of his single Grand Slam title in over a decade of top class tennis there has nobody else except Federer who has stayed in the top ten of Men’s Tennis for eight straight years. He is next only to Nadal and Federer in the titles won since 2002. So why has Grand Slam success been so elusive?

Roddick’s game has not been without limitations. He has a booming serve, great atheleticism, strong built but his game otherwise isn’t exceptional. Quoting his contemporary-turned-TV analyst Justin Gimelstob, ‘He's (Roddick’s) not dripping in natural tennis talent. He's had to work incredibly hard to achieve the things he's done. He's had to outwork and outsmart guys out there.’ Also mentally the likes of Federer have enjoyed a vice-like grip on him. Roddick is 0-8 to Federer in the Grand Slams which has meant that every time he has looked capable of going all the way, Fed-ex has derailed his journey.

Yet in last two years he has worked hard on his game. Though not easily evident, he improvements in his net play, his volleying and his slicing have added more edge to his game. Making it more complete than ever before. And the results of his admirable work ethic are beginning to show. He was one point away from breaking Federer in the decisive set of last year’s Wimbledon. Having stretched the World Number one to thirty games in the fifth set – which Federer won 16-14 - was a small victory in itself. At 26-4 he has the best record on the tour this year.

Still the second coming of Roddick may not help him add to his Grand Slam tally. At 27 he is not getting younger. So may be his best is behind him. Yet history is replete with sportspersons who have delivered their best results when the world assumed that they were past their use-by date. Nobody knows how Roddick will be remembered. Whether Andy Roddick will remain a one-slam wonder or if will he achieve more glory in the hallowed portals of Tennis only time will tell. But that he has taken every effort possible to move in the right direction gives his fans hope. And it is in hope that we all live.