We are two days into the U.S. Open and even though the men's first round isn't quite complete, of course there have still been many stories to tell. How about 17-year-old Victoria Duvall's surprising upset over former champion Sam Stosur. Who would have ever predicted that one? Or Nishikori, Almagro, Janowicz, Dimitrov, Monaco, Gulbis all out in the first round? Would you have found anyone willing to bet even a dollar not only on Donald Young beating Klizan, but 6-1 6-0 6-1? Where in the world did that come from?
There is always a lot of fun drama at slams, and some not so fun. Thankfully there was no drama in Roger Federer's almost completely routine win against Zemlja. Other than one shaky game Roger looked focused and determined. It wasn't like he had a lot of competition, but with the summer that Roger has had it was so important to have a strong win in his first round. Though I probably say this before every slam, I just feel this could be a really good couple weeks for him to go far. I'm not saying he's going to win it (though I'm certainly not ruling it out) but I think he is feeling back to himself again after his injury and ready to prove to himself and the rest of the world that he is still "in it to win it."
I recorded and watched the interview Andy Roddick did with Federer before the ATP 40 year anniversary honoring the #1 players. I wish it was on You Tube to post for those who don't have the ability to see it. Andy did a great job, of course making it funny as Andy would, talking about Roger taking #1 away from him, etc. But I loved that he brought up the 2009 Wimbledon final, telling about himself breaking down afterward in the locker room because of the tremendous disappointment, and how when Roger and his team came in there was no loud celebration for the win but instead subdued in deference to the sadness that Andy would be feeling. Andy was touched by that and four years later is still feeling the appreciation. He also talked afterward about how he feels Federer is definitely the greatest of all time at this point and defended his negative head-to-head against Nadal. Though very different in personality, these two are both very classy guys and it was great to see them interacting again.
Two weeks from now, barring torrential rains in NYC, the Open will be behind us. In the meantime many more stories yet to be written, with the biggest of all being who will be holding the trophies at the end.
I felt a lot of relief as Andy Roddick breezed through his match with Bernard Tomic. While it wasn't the drama and intensity that I pictured it might be, that was just fine for the time being. I think most people were pretty stunned by Andy's sudden news of retirement. While many were predicting it might happen soon, I don't think anyone was expecting it to be so abrupt. In fact, he didn't even tell his parents or his brother until the day of the announcement! With it happening so suddenly I found I wasn't ready to let him go so quickly.
I certainly have had mixed feelings about Roddick over the years. On the one hand he can be an incredibly witty and charming guy who you can't help but like, but then he can turn around and act in unbecoming ways on court to chair umpires or lines people. Overall,. though, when Andy was playing I would make a point to watch and I genuinely wanted him to do well (unless of course he was playing a certain guy named Roger Federer, who I never cheer against for anyone!).
It's been fun to see some of the footage of a very young Roddick winning his first ATP title or the disbelief and incredible joy when he won the U.S. Open. Then there was the heartbreaking loss in the 2009 Wimbledon final where even those who desperately wanted Federer to surpass Pete Sampras's record with a win couldn't help but feel the heartbreak that Andy was showing. Overall, though, his sense of humor is what stands out for me when I think of him, and I will sincerely miss his presence on the tour.
I'm not looking forward to the final goodbye. I'm sure it will be emotional and I will need to have the Kleenex box nearby. But that won't be happening quite yet and I hope he makes it well into the second week.
