It’s Andy Roddick vs. Roger Federer in Sunday’s Wimbledon final. How fitting that Nadal’s absence has taken us back to the 2004-2005 era at the All England Club. What’s that cliche, again? The more things change. . .
This will be the 21st meeting between the two, and I think most tennis fans are as familiar with the match-up as the players are. If it follows the script and Federer’s 18-2 lead in the head-to-head, the match will go something like this: Roger neutralizes Roddick’s serve, repeatedly luring the American to the net before smacking passing shots just beyond his demoralized opponent’s out-stretched racquet. Federer wins in four sets, if he gets nervous in a tie break.
BUT! (And this “but” goes beyond any fear of jinxing the proceedings.) This is Roddick’s best chance since 2004, when he barreled onto Centre Court and won the first set. Andy’s serve is still massive and maybe more wiley than before, the ground strokes are shored up and his tactics are honed to a steely point thanks to super coach, Larry Stefanki. He’s found his Mirka and his mojo. And he beat the other “other” Andy – a phenomenal returner and passer – in Friday’s semifinal.
It could come down to the W factor. Who WANTS it more? Whose WILL is stronger? Whose nerves are WEAKER? Who will settle for nothing but a WIN?
Roger’s W: History. He’s fighting for his treasured title, the No. 1 ranking and a place above Pete in the record books.
As Roger said in Saturday’s pre-match presser: “Records are part of this great match right now, so it’s obviously even more of an incentive to try really hard.”
Andy’s W: Redemption. He’ll no longer be a “One Slam Wonder,” an overachieving one-trick pony, or the best-worst player on tour. Oh, and he’s one match away from winning Wimbledon. That’s something:
Q. Can you describe to us how much you want this title, how much it means to you?
ANDY RODDICK: No, I probably couldn’t (smiling).
Sometimes actions speak louder than words:
That’s Roddick after beating Murray in the semifinal.
So, who do you think is pulling off the Big W at the Big W?
Loading ...Tags: Federer, Roddick, tennis, Wimbledon, Wimbledon champion, Wimbledon final
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i don’t remember the last RF final where i was so fond of the opposition…. i think Roddick is such a wonderful player, his consistancy over the years – over 6 yrs as top 10 player – is remarkable…. he has played about 3 slam finals and numerous semi-finals, and is very much underrated by the press.
yet i can never go against my idol Fed, so i hope A-Rod will be a worthy opponent but TMF will get the holly grail.
Yep! I mean, even with Rafa, who I admire, I always really, really want Roger to win because it’s such a test (plus I hate all the crowing critics after a loss!) But with Roger doing so well at the French and tying Pete’s record, it’s almost like he has nothing to prove. And Roddick’s a worthy, likeable opponent and a relative veteran instead of a threatening young gun.
I’ll definitely enjoy the match!
You know… this final is really tough on me, too. I have been hoping that Roddick still manages to do great things in his career, it’s not that “having only one slam is unfair”, but you know that feeling of – “geez, this guy is really good, and he wants to do more, he is a fighter, he changed a lot from his cocky early days and became cool, I can’t help but like him and think he deserves more.”
I’m enjoying Roddick’s matches this year, too, ever since the first tournaments. I’m having fun watching him play. So… pretty impossible to root against Roger, but if Andy wins it, I imagine I’ll be smiling by the end of match anyway. Maybe it won’t be “Federer-15-slams-yipieeee” wide, but there will still be a small smile.
This looks like a win-win situation… I suspect I’ll end up pulling for Roger instead of my countryman, but if Andy wins he’ll certainly be more than deserving. It’s very rewarding as a spectator to see someone set out to change their game with tangible results, so I can only imagine it would be so much more so for him!
Either way I’m hoping for 5 sets and a very entertaining match!
Is Pete supposed to show up?
Last I heard Pete decided against it – hates traveling with kids and I don’t blame him! It’s funny, because with Andy Roddick in the final, it’s meaningful no matter who he gets the trophy!
Who knows, maybe he’s trying to trick us and will go incognito!
I have to wonder about all the players that had to play in the era of dominance of Roger and feel a little bad for them, but only a little. Some of his critics always say that he always won because there was not enough grand slam champions challenging him, but how can that be, if he was the one racking all those trophies.
Don’t ask Borg, he will say Andy, just because he hates to loose his records, I remember last year, right after Rafa won the French Open (John McEnroe) asked him who was his pick to win Wimbledon and he said: Rafa, I was like WHAT? then I learned that if Roger won he would had surpassed Borg on consecutive Wimbledon wins, then this year in the French Open he congratulated Soderling for stopping Rafa from surpassing him on his other record, Go Figure…
I think Andy wants it more. How could he not? Roger’s won so many more majors. This is his best chance since a long time because his game has really improved, but I just don’t think he’ll pull it off. We’ll see… I could be wrong of course. Still pulling for Roger though.
Don’t have countrymen issues, so I’ll be in my “Fed-fan Frazzle” mode. Not going to underestimate Andy Roddick – nothing’s been following the script in tennis in the past month, and ARod is due for a fairytale. But Federer’s won 6 mathces at Wimbledon to get to this stage, I don’t care that he has nothing to prove, losing in the final would be such a shame.
Hi everyone!
It’s pretty cool that we can all be so happy about this final! Maybe we were dreading that Murray-Fed match up so much that this feels like a gift (okay, I admit feeling that way!)
Alista, I think you perfectly described what I admire about Andy Roddick: he shows us just how badly he wants to win, even when the odds are against him. It’s been heartening to see Andy bridge the gap between desire and ability. Because people always say “if you want something badly enough, you can have it.” Of course, sometimes they forget to mention the hard work and crushing failures along the way.
As C.F. and other have said I’ll be smiling either way. But I suspect at some point I’ll get the Dootsiez “frazzle” if things go to four sets! (Can’t be brave like H and hope for 5!)
goodluck Roger!I like Andy (Roddick that is)but i love Roger more!
Rooting for Roger to make history for sure. BUT, if for some miracle, Andy pulls off the win I won’t be that disappointed.
I feel so torn about this one. Sure, I want to see RF break Pete’s record and I want to see A-Rod get Wimbledon. GAHHH!! If Murray made it to the final this would be so easy. No matter what happens tomorrow their both winners, right? Go Andy and Roger!
Having watched Roger’s six previous matches along the way reminds me of the Roger back in 2004, 2005. He is so in form and in his top game though a very good contender Andy is I don’t see him pull off the big win. But this is definitely a final much more fun to watch (last year was so painful and I hate critics always saying the final is an “epic”..). Just enjoy the last day of Wimbledon 09!