Given Andy Roddick’s most recent loss at the U.S. Open it’s time he hears some kind (and not so kind words) from a fan.
Dear Andy,
I’ve been following your career for quite some time. I remember when you were an up and comer with that mammoth serve. You had a fearless way about you and your striking resemblance to Stiffler gave you this subtle bad ass quality that I’m sure the ladies loved. You were the new kid on the block and when you broke through winning the U.S. Open there were high hopes for you.
But something happened along the way. That thing was most likely two things. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. I mean it’s not your fault that these two guys are two of the most gifted tennis player to ever play the game. These things happen man. It’s kind of like for those few seasons where Clyde Drexler was an unbelievable player but Michael Jordan was around so it didn’t matter. No one even noticed.
You’re still a great tennis player and you have been for a while. I give you credit for sticking it out and trying out coaches like Brad Gilbert and even Jimmy Connors (that couldn’t have been good). Something, anything to bring your game to the next level. But it’s just not there Andy.
And I remember being a fan and thinking you were kind of a dick. That happens when players just don’t come through in the clutch. And it sure as hell isn’t your fault. These guys simply overmatched you. But sometimes us fans become impatient. Lord knows the lot of us were jealous as hell when you bagged Brooklyn Decker. I mean how the hell did this guy deserve her? He can’t even win a major? But you got her Andy. Good for you.
And then you took on Federer in that amazing Wimbledon match. Everyone, including me thought you were “back” after that one. You earned so much respect that day but unfortunately that day wasn’t yours. But maybe that was the match that put you over the top Andy. Perhaps that was the one that took it all out of you. I want to make it clear Andrew that I do like you. Having watched a ton of film I realize you’re a really funny dude (making fun of Serena was classic) and you seem like a lot of fun.
But when it comes to tennis, at least being one of the world’s best, I don’t think you have it. Tennis is a great career but I’m kind of at a loss here. Honestly I think you should retire and focus more on entertainment. Like I said, you look like Seann William Scott so that’s helpful. I don’t know man.
That’s all I got.
21 Responses to An Open Letter to Andy Roddick
NYCTim
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:00 pm
SEANN William Scott. Get his name right, dumbass.
harry effer
September 6th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Re—Andy Roddick….Timing is everything….If he didn’t have the “bad timing” having to play and lose to Federer…he’s tennis book of victories would be so much of ….what a winner and player…but that’s life and history.
Now, for the “now” and future, let’s think a little “off the court” energies. He’s got a great coach….but a chain is only as stong as it’s weakest link….Not much positive “I am enjoying the moment” And the body language between the people on Roddick’s side line shows (true statement or not) negative feelings… I think all of these “off the court”
energies…are having a monumental impact on Roddicks results on the court….
Pat
September 6th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
This “Dear Andy” letter sucks! Andy Roddick played the most remarkable wimbledon final against the big shot, Federer. He took Federer to the brink…. and then some. Federer was LUCKY to win that match. It takes a little luck in life too, you know.
Andy has been a MAJOR star for over a decade…. and will always be a star…. regardless of what cheap shot wimp writers like “Nattyb” post.
A nobody writing a nothing comment. Roddick is a famous star for a reason: he earned it and has GREAT talent. Those who put him down are jealous losers.
jayyale
September 7th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Andy was and is the most overrated American player and this was a calculated agenda by both American Tennis association and American media since the departure of Pete and andre.
This guy cant even win and against decent top 10 player consistently and he is all paper HERO and media created hype. I am very sure he knows it too.
This should be a lesson for ATA for not promoting sub par players like Andy and have this pathetic state of affairs in USA -Tennis
To reason that he happened to play during great players like Roger and Nadal….come-on what a lame excuse and pathetic mind set. Hear we say competition is good….but reading this sorry state of blog….you guys need to look in the mirror and say Andy is an OVERRATED PLAYER……PERIOD.
Tommy
September 7th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
jayyale
you’re totally right dude. Being ranked year end within the top 10 best tennis players in the world for 7 consecutive years and winning at least 1 tournament every year for 9 years, (a feat only equaled by Roger Federer by the way), makes him an overrated loser. Idiot.
Also, this letter sucks. He had 2 bad results at majors. And by bad, I mean Andy Roddick bad. Many players never make even the 4th round at Wimbledon. But he loses there (while suffering mono by the way) this year and all of a sudden it’s time to retire. He lost to the same guy in the 2nd round of Wimbledon in 2008, where were your letters then? The very next year was your final you were praising. What the hell is wrong with you people? 1 thing goes wrong and you’re all calling him to throw in the towel. He’s still top 10 in the world, you want him to retire. He was in back to back finals of Indian Wells and Miami this year, winning Miami. And you want him to retire. STFU and go back to where you came from.
mary ann abbott
September 9th, 2010 at 8:07 am
andy: don’t give up tennis yet. i have been with you sence you went with
davis cup when you were 19. good and bad times. i also love the humor
and all the times you entertain us even when you are not competing.
keep enjoying what you do………….i
Terry
September 10th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Andy is one of the greatest tennis players ever, but he seems to lack the ability use his sigfnificant advantage (his serve and ground strokes) to overcome mediocre players. He waits way to long for his opponents to make a mistake rather than force them out of position. Which he could do if he attacked the ball more quickly. Andy needs to watch his play and listen to the tennis analysts and commentators they are on target when it comes to analyzing the players.
Nattyb
September 10th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I stopped reading when you said “one of the greatest players ever.” Come on man. That’s not even remotely close. He’s got a great serve and that’s about all. Guy should have learned to be a serve and volley player from day one. Those don’t even exist anymore.
Erica Curley
September 13th, 2010 at 8:50 am
As a Roddick fan for sometime I feel this is an unfair assessment of his abilites, scattered with some cheap shots ( bringing up his marriage, really?) Keep fighting Andy, I’ve always believed in you. And kudos to all your charity work.
STEVE
September 17th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Terry is right! Andy needs to be assertive on the court and make plays rather than wait for a mistake to occur. I find that instead of going to the ball, Andy waits and lets the ball play him therefore allowing his opponent to get back to a neutral stance in the point! Somehow this is not being discussed in his camp—-AT ALL! It’s unfortunate because the guy really wants to win. I just don’t know if Andy has the court smarts of his other top ten rivals. I say use your serve ( vary it ) and take advantage of the weak return by going TO the ball!! GO ANDY!!!
DICK HOFFMAN
September 18th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
ANDY: I’M A 87 YR. OLD HAS BEEN TENNIS PLAYER AND HOPE YOU KEEP ON PLAYING FOR A FEW MORE YEARS AS YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST AT WHAT YOU DO AND THE BEST AMERICAN TYPE ON THE TOUR.I REALLY ENJOY YOUR TENNIS AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE ALL-OUT EFFORT YOU ALWAYS SHOW ON THE COURTS.HANG IN THERE I’M WITH YOU ALL THE WAY. A
LOYAL FAN ALWAYS
macboolovestennis
September 21st, 2010 at 8:34 am
Andy,
I am so sick of stupid-azz bloggers and their crap! You ARE a great player! The media sucks with their bs, too! Don’t give up! You have a whole lot more fans who are loyal to you than bs-ers, writing this letter! Being loyal is being there during the down times! You’ll be back up soon! I’m sure of it! NEVER GIVE UP!
DT
September 25th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Firstly, Fox Sports needs to wake up: This so-called blog of the day has been up for weeks.
Second, at the risk of being accused of piling on, in his last tournament before the USO, Andy beat Djokovic _and_ Soderling, both top-5 players. He also beat Rafa in their last meeting, in Miami (which he won), just months ago.
Third, rankings are not made up. Each event has points preassigned, and awarded, for winning, advancing, so far and defending your previous results. Andy has been top-10 for years. Deal with it.
I believe Andy is a winner, in life, and in tennis. Will he capture another major? As a fan, little would please me more. But somehow I doubt even that will quiet the all naysayers with challenges out there.
Kevin Peterson
October 1st, 2010 at 11:56 am
I’m not a Roddick fan, but I would give my left nut to play tennis as good as him. The guy has been top ten IN THE WORLD for years so to bag on him and his game seems a bit absurd. I think Andy is pretty funny off the court but a huge jackass on the court. If he focused more on winning and having fun and less on belittling those around the court, he would be more likable.
HAMILLTON VOSE III
October 24th, 2010 at 7:26 am
LIKE MANY OF YOU, I ENJOY WATCHING ANDY RODDICK PLAY TENNIS. LIKE MOST IN HIS FIELD HE HAS HIS UPS AND DOWNS, BUT WHAT MANY OF YOU SEEM TO IGNOR IS THAT, MORE THAN LIKELY, ANDY PROBABLY VIEWS THE SPORT AS HIS JOB. IN OTHER WORDS “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY”. YOU JUDGE A MAN THAT IS STILL LISTED AMONG THE TOP TEN TENNIS PLAYERS IN THE WORLD AS THOUGH HE WAS A STRUGGLING NEWCOMER. YOU THINK HE SHOULD RETIRE FORFITTING A STAGGERING INCOME. IT TAKES TIME AND EFFORT TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS AND ANDY RODDICK CERTAINLY HAS DONE THAT. PLAY ON ANDY AND IGNOR THE NAYSAYERS.
Luis Huante
November 7th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Dont’ worry about the rest of the tennis players, you’re one of the best American tennis player now on days.
Coffeehead
November 14th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I don’t follow blogs or bloggers too much. I have to say I am a little surprised someone could write something like this and have it posted. It’s more of a letter that goes after AR personally, with a little tennis talk for filler.
I’ll say this. AR has been disappointing. I had higher expectations for him, but ultimately, when you are analyzing strokes and tennis skills, AR lacks in the consistency department. I was never really a fan of his mechanics. He seems in hyper-swing too often, a kind of herky-jerky, less fluid stroke production. He’s great player though, makes a fine living, and he has earned his place in professional tennis. I think he was short-changed in his formative years, whoever was involved in his coaching should take some blame for his overall development.
Askari
January 7th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
I want so much to like Andy but what has really kept him from winning slams is his mouth and attitude. I can’t count how many times I have seen him mouthing off to the umpire or another player about a call that was correct but he just keeps running his mouth no matter how wrong he is.
Andy, stop letting your mis-perceptions distract you on court. When you are wrong, be a professional and let it go. You might win a bit more…
Anton Gala
January 9th, 2011 at 4:20 am
This open letter is so denigrating, I cannot believe it was printed.
This is an affront to journalism.
Dionysus
January 9th, 2011 at 4:45 am
An open exhibition of pseudo-journalism at its worst. This is pure hi-tech lynching. There is no room for garbage like this in the media.
How did Fox allow this?
Coolnewyorker
January 9th, 2011 at 4:56 am
Woa!!!! WTF……What the hell happened here?
Please remove this junk. There are some intelligent readers here.