No matter what you think about Andy Roddick, the one thing everyone can agree on is his amazing ability to deliver a soundbite. After his complete dominance of Fernando Gonzalez yesterday to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, Roddick was asked about his next opponent, Novak Djokovic. The third-ranked player in the world, Djokovic, is suffering from ankle and hip problems, and has sighed and winced his way through the first four rounds of this championship. Roddick, in a way only Andy can do it, cut the reporter off as the question was being pitched to him.
Roddick: Isn't it both of them? And a back and a hip?
Reporter: And when he said there are too many to count ...
Roddick: And a cramp.
Reporter: Do you get a sense right now that he is ...
Roddick: Bird flu.
Reporter: A lot of things. Beijing hangover. He's got a pretty long list of illness.
Roddick: Anthrax. SARS. Common cough and cold.
This is the kind of trash-talking we need more in sports. A tennis player known for his antics is doing the same song and dance and someone finally calls him on it. I have actually tried to play tennis before with the Bird Flu and serving the ball is somewhat managable, but boy does it get to you around the net.
Roddick followed that up with what he really thought of the injuries.
The two are set to play tomorrow night on Arthur Ashe Stadium and after this little jab at the Serbian, it should be a fairly testy exchange. Roddick has looked as good so far in this U.S. Open as he has in a long time, dropping only one set in four matches. If the 8th ranked player in the world wins here, he will most likely face his nemesis, Roger Federer, in the semi finals. No matter the outcome of this match, one thing we can bet on is that the press conference will be a must-watch."If it's there, it's there," Roddick said. "There's just a lot. You know, he's either quick to call the trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time. I think it's up for you guys to decide."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-03-2008 @ 11:41PM
Matt said...
Nothing can ever top the battle between Mansdorf and Noah when Mansdorf insulted Noah's family during their match, but let's hope the fireworks are wild.
Tennis could use a shot in the arm that an explosive rivalry could spark.
Federer/Nadal at Wimbledon has tennis in better shape, but some others have to step up.
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9-04-2008 @ 1:17PM
TennisLive said...
Watch Us Open Men's Singles - Qtr. Finals
Andy Roddick (USA)[8] v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3]
Live on http://tennislivechannel.blogspot.com
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9-04-2008 @ 11:27PM
caitlin said...
wow! novak didn't look injured at all... miraculous recovery from all his ailments or will they pop up again against federer... who knows. i think he uses the trainer timeouts a little too quickly... and i am sure i am not the only one who thinks so. oh well. nice match
quaterfinals isn't a bad result, roddick's game has improved.
next year. :)
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9-05-2008 @ 2:58AM
Al said...
Hey, Roddick started it all... Eat your words now Andy!
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9-05-2008 @ 10:12AM
Kelly said...
I am so glad Novak shut your mouth Andy. Some things should never have been said. Those are things you don't 'joke' about. It is just wrong. Novak's impersonations are fun and not exaggerated and not offensive. I am sure the other players did not get offended and it never was blown out of proportion. Novak has character and class, unlike Andy very unprofessional...
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9-05-2008 @ 12:47PM
Dev said...
In my opinion djokovic had every right to be pissed. It was poor sportsmanship on Andy part to make those comments and a cowardly attempt to try to put down an opponent before the match. I'm happy to see Andy’s door close once again, he deserved it.
Keep in mind that Andy stayed home to practice for the US Open while everyone was playing in the olympics, whose the weaker player?
Also, I understand the crowd is going to back a US player however I did not like the fact that the crowd was giving novak an unreasonably harder time and which at times looked disrespectful. For example there was no need for the crowd to applause when novak faulted or make noise when he was serving.
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9-08-2008 @ 3:30PM
Pablo said...
Look, Djokovic had all the audience in favor of his American opponent so they were willing to humiliate him to have Roddick win the match. So he was obviously pissed. But the main point is unlike Roddick's libelous claims 'dressed up' as humor, what Djokovic does are impersonations, caricatures.
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9-08-2008 @ 3:34PM
Pablo said...
Look, Djokovic does impersonations, caricatures. He would never discredit other players with his innocent jokes. Unlike him, Roddick went too far and made libelous claims about someone.
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9-09-2008 @ 11:09AM
kev said...
You people are demented....o my God thank you for not being an american!
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