Was anyone else surprised when Andy Roddick upset Andy “Mound” Murray in today’s Wimbledon semifinals: 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6? I, along with 99% of ex Henman-fanatics, certainly was.
But at least one person wasn’t: Roddick’s wife, Brooklyn Decker.
Roddick talked to the press after his big win about the role his new wife has played in helping him raise his game and get back into a Wimbledon final for the first time since 2005. Sweet stuff from the salty American.
On how Brooklyn inspired him to work harder:
Q. You said when you came off the court that you weren’t sure, it’s been a little while since you thought you’d make a Grand Slam final. Did you ever really seriously doubt that you would be back here?
ANDY RODDICK: Oh, yeah, yeah. Last year after I played here, I mean, that was a hard, hard couple of weeks.
You know, Brook and I had a lot of talks on where I thought ‑‑ if I still thought I could play and at least be, you know, towards the top of the game. I definitely openly questioned it at that point. You know, then the rest of the year I was kind of hurt.
So this off‑season, we said, You know what, if you’re not gonna be up there, let’s at least not wonder. Let’s prepare yourself and give yourself every opportunity.
You know, I did work real hard and, you know, was committed, and have been committed, you know, from everything to diet to sleep to everything. So, you know, I certainly gave myself every opportunity to succeed.
On Brooklyn’s unique perspective:
Q. Back to the conversation you had with your wife at the end of last year of whether you could play or not. What side did you take and what side did she take?
ANDY RODDICK: It was a year ago here. I was probably leaning towards not really playing that well. She didn’t really know much about tennis, so she thought I was playing real great (laughter).
Q. And she convinced you?
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, she thought I looked cute in the shorts.
On the softer side of Andy Roddick (I know, I didn’t think there was one, either):
Q. You talked about your family. Roger is a married man, too. How much of a role does your family play in your success of this year?
ANDY RODDICK: You know, I don’t know. I know that kind of being happy and not having any worries away from the court, in my mind it can only help things. You know, Brook has been a very calming influence, and someone that I can kind of confide in and not have to put up, you know, a super brave front in front of.
So it’s been real good. And, you know, certainly makes the box better looking.
Sunday will be Andy Roddick’s third time in a Wimbledon final, and the third time he’s faced Roger on Sunday at the All England Club. It will be Brooklyn’s first go as Mirka. Think she’s ready?
Brooklyn does her thang: photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images via Daylife
Tags: Brooklyn Decker, Murray, Roddick, tennis, Wimbledon, WTA
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Thank-you very much for the updates!
Why of course, Ana! It’s a pleasure.
I didn’t expect Roddick to win, but I’m not surprised either. If it was on a different surface, I would have been more surprised. Roddick’s serve is so big on grass that I always thought he had a decent chance. That’s not to say I was picking him.
Well, we’ll see how it all ends up on Sunday, won’t we? I’m already kind of tired of the sports commentators qualifying Roger’s win of the Frnehd by saying he didn’t have to play any of the tp players he’s lost against recently. They’ll probably say it again. It seems to me that that only adds to Roger’s stature; the other big dogs fall but he’s still standing at the end.
Hi, Alista!
I absolutely understand what you mean. It seems that Roger can’t win either way, because when he does win against the “big dogs”, there is always something wrong with the opponent (tiredness, surface disadvantage, etc.), and when he wins against anybody else, it is not “satisfying enough” because it wasn’t a “big dog”. It is simply and utterly ridiculous!
Alista,
I agree, These commentators have their own agendas. Federer played, 3rd round : Philip Kohlscrhiber (#28 – who beat Djokovic just weeks ago at French),
4th round : Soderling (#12, French finalist + on hot streak)
quarters : Ivo Karlovic (#20 + , who beat Tsonga and Verdasco)
semis : Tommy Haas (# 20 something but is on a hot streak, beat Djokovic twice in 2 weeks).
compared to Murray :
3rd round : Troicki (#30)
4th round : Wawrinka (#19)
quarters : Juan Carlos Ferrero (unseeded)
Semis : Roddick (#6)
Now who had the tougher draw ? Clearly Federer.
First round and Second round, they both had unseeded opponents.
Thanks so much for the breakdown – I always find it fun to compare.
In this case I’d say the draws are pretty even. There’s no way you could say Murray had it harder. I think they both played quality guys who can beat “anyone on the day.”
You can only play who is across the net from you – it’s the luck and the doom of the draw, after all. I agree with alista that it should only reflect well on Roger and his consistency.
I haven’t heard any commentators say anything (yet)this Wimbledon but they’re still bringing it up re: the French. I just hope that when the day comes that Roger doesn’t make it to the semifinals at a Major (gosh, will that really ever happen??) that the commentators remember to mention that “so and so” didn’t have to play Roger for the title. you know, just to be fair
In general, it doesn’t matter to me how the draw falls out. A player doesn’t script his draw. Once you’ve won a Grand Slam, it means you’ve outplayed the field. That’s how I look at it. That’s why it annoys me when comments are made that Roger didn’t have to beat any of what they call the Big Four.
Thank you very much! wonderful to hear about this. No surprise for me that Roddick won. Murray had an easy draw until now. His success at Wimby has been overly hyped. Only player he played that is ranked under 50 was Stan Wawrinka which he won by a whisker. AM is a very, very good player, but to think that he is automatically going to be in the finals of wimbledon is nothing but pure hype. He is no RF. I think tomorrow’s finals would be interesting and honestly, I would be happy if either of them won. Roddick deserves more respect than he gets. I would like to see him win a wimbledon at the same time, I would like to see Fed get past Sampras on sunday. Can’t make up my mind yet on who to cheer for.
I agree! I’m going to watch this finally really happily because I feel that these two guys are both great competitors, veterans who’ve proven their longevity, and they both have quite a bit to play for. Thinking about Roddick winning his first Wimbledon title after three tries makes me happy. But of course so does the thought of Roger regaining his Wimbledon crown, getting to #15 and taking the No. 1 ranking (although of course I understand how disappointing it is not to have Nadal in the mix – it’s always a shame when rankings slide because of injury. . .but that’s not Roger’s fault.
I also think Roddick doesn’t get enough respect. I’m really not a fan because on the court at least he can come across as an obnoxious frat boy when he starts abusing the chair umpire (I’ve seen him do that more than once), but his press interviews are so different that then I’m inclined to cut him some slack there.
One thing about Roddick, the guy never stopped working to improve his game and he’s reaping the benefits not. His play today was really outstanding. I’m too much of a Federer fan to hope he wins, but I wouldn’t be really upset about it if Andy won. He would be so deserving of it.
Roger Federer forever!
“he’s reaping the benefits not”. I meant he’s reaping the benefits now.
I figured!
great stuff. thanks.
You’re welcome, my sweet little Feddy Bear! (sorry I just love that nickname!)
NICCCCCCE!!!!!!!!
Roddick spoiled the party. I heard the tickets for men’s final just went way down and the Queen is going to have to find something else to do. Anyways, well done to Andy Roddick. You can’t script this stuff.
I just don’t get it! Who wouldn’t want to watch Roger vs. Roddick. I guess the asking price is way down. If I had a few extra $1000 lying around, I’d snap up some of those “bargain” tickets and hop a plane across the pond.
(So happy Roddick spoiled the party!)
I’m so impressed with Andy. He went from Frat Boy Schlump to a man with a purpose. Bonus: he’s turned into an intelligent witty super-sportsmanlike guy. If he were a hockey player he’d win the Lady Byng.He was so fair to Murray in his presser.
Obs, I’m a Fedphile. But if there’s one guy I can bear to think of beating him without personal angst, it’s Roddick.
Good show, A-Rod.
ground report from me again! let’s talk about the Murray/Roddick match first. I was totally rooting for A-Rod – I had the misfortune of sitting next to a scot and in front of someone with a t-shirt ‘andymurray.com’ on it so I was in serious danger of being beaten up. BUT i am pleased to report supporters for A-Rod is definitely more than the 5 that A-Rod himself expected. People were smart though – it is ‘come on Murray’ all the way rather than ‘come on Andy’!
Living in London is a real pain during Wimby b/c of all the Murray hype. I don’t really like Murray – both the person and the way he plays – and I am so glad finally all this mania can now stop. The thing that really annoys me during the match was the crowd cheering even *before* Murray has won the point (e.g. when Roddick was just returning the ball and they all think Murray has won!) – and all those ‘COME ON’ from Murray after every ace he hits. Just compare it to Roger – his COME ONs mean so much more!
It was so much more pleasant to watch the Fed/Haas match. In my opinion it was a match of much higher quality – Haas was playing very very well , they were both going for their shots (rather than in the Andys match I really feel the rallies were a bit ‘tired’ sometimes), the rhythm of play is so much faster – and such a beautiful sight, the single handed backhands! And gosh, I love that funny point when Roger’s lob went out – they were both having fun. So nice to see. And what about those lobs from Roger that landed right at the corner? Roger is a genius (Johnny Mac certainly thinks so from his commentary on the BBC!)!!!
GO ROGER FOR #15!!!!!
Thanks for the report! Glad to see Roddick had some support in Murray town.
Boy I’m so jealous!
Feeling so touched by Andy Roddick’s motivation and work ethic right now, and so happy he’s revealed that softer side to him.
well his(Murray) come on’s werent enough so it seemed.
HOLA! Have I told you how jealous I am of you? **turning a grassy shade of green**
Well. . .that Murray vs. Roddick match was certainly exciting enough even in my L.A. living room watching on a crappy live stream. Of course, I really wanted Andy R. to win and couldn’t believe he actually pulled it off! As commenter jfk said – Roddick spoiled the party.
Good for you taking a stand at Centre Court and risking life and limb cheering for the “other Andy.” And you confirmed my observations: 1. the crowd was on the same page when it came to “Go MURRAY!” 2. there was lots of premature cheering.
But really, the Center Court crowd is sooooo fair when compared to the French at RG. I cringe just thinking of what they’re like when a countryperson is on court!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the Haas/Fed match. Some great shotmaking.(I’m such a crazy Fed Fan that I was mad at Haas for making Roger miss that lob at the net. . .but I got over it when Roger won the game.)
LLKR are you going to be there tomorrow???
I said at the Australian- look for Andy Roddick at Wimbledon- the new coach and his serve made him/make him a serious contender- I hope he wins…watch, Roger will cry if he loses because he wants 15 so bad….hard to feel more sorry for the guy with 5Wimbl /14 total over the guy with 0 W and only 1 total
Hi Doug!
I was just thinking how Roddick vs. Federer at Wimby really isn’t THAT surprising. The last final we’ve had at Wimby since Nadal vs. Fed, after all, is Roddick vs. Roger (in 04 and 05) So since there’s no Rafa, now Roddick’s back (and maybe better than ever.)
In defense of my guy Fed – assuming Roddick wins (!?) I doubt Roger will betray so much emotion. 1. He’s feeling great after the French 2. The pressure of at least meeting Sampras’s record is over and 3. It’s not like Roger sobs publicly after every loss – the Australian was just super emotional for him. 4. He may cry if (when!?) he wins, though!
But I agree – if you are a neutral observer and you see a guy like Roddick through to his third Wimby final, it’s hard not to root for the underdog. But my fan loyalties are too strong
I ***wish*** I could be there tomorrow – depending on whether I can get a tix tonight. Hope the tennis gods will continue to pity me and let me witness Roger wins Wimby (….oops!!!! too premature… let’s not jinx it…) – unlike last year when I was there for 7 hours, drained all my emotions and yet got the wrong result… (and got wound up by everyone at work the next day…)
… Now I know you are jealous! =)
I’ve gone from grass green to Kermit! Here’s hoping the tennis gods are smiling on you. Good luck! And give Roger a good cheer for me.
Freakyfrites: Please don’t pick ROGER to win.
Hehe! I made a poll and picked against Roger winning. That’s the power of blogging
Me too. I have been doind some reverse pschycology lately concerning Roger and so far, so good.