It was a sad day today. Readers of What’s Eating Me probably guessed that Andy Roddick is my tennis idol, and he retired from the game at the ripe old age of thirty. He’s been plagued for the last year and a half with a shoulder injury, but then again when you’ve been hitting the ball at 155mph every day for the last fifteen years it’s no surprise that your shoulder wears out. He was a likeable guy who always wore his heart on his sleeve and who wasn’t afraid to stand up for himself and so got a bit of a reputation of being a latter-day McEnroe, but he was always humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Unfortunately, he became known as the Man Federer Beat in Three Wimbledon Finals – but how many others can say they reached three Wimbledon finals? As Davis Cup Captain he lead his country to victory; he was World No 1 and a Grand Slam Winner and holds more than thirty career titles. It was fitting, therefore, that he beat Federer twice in the space of three weeks earlier in the year and interestingly enough, as Andy lost yesterday to Del Potro, Federer also went out of the US Open, making it the first time he hasn’t reached the semi-final since 2003 – the year that Andy won it! He brought flamboyance, flair, entertainment and wit to the game. When asked if it would be tough not playing any more he said “No. Tough is having so many kids and working two jobs to feed them. What I do isn’t tough.” He’s now going on to a new career as a radio and TV presenter/pundit and to carry on working for the Andy Roddick Foundation, helping underprivileged kids.
And the ATP Tour will be a sadder, duller place without him.
