Is Andy Roddick’s Fitness Enough for a US Open?
Andy Roddick comes into the 2009 US Open at a crossroads of his career.
On one hand, he has seen the rebirth of his talents, leading him to arguably his best season in a while thanks to being as fit as he was when he won his only major in 2003.
While Roddick is in great shape at the moment, time isn’t exactly his friend right now. Currently 26, he’ll be 27 by the end of the calendar year, which really only leaves him with a few more years to play effective tennis. The American tennis world is counting on Roddick to come through for them, as other Americans like Blake, Fish, and Querrey aren’t considered legitimate contenders for a Grand Slam.
At year’s end, he’ll be 27 years old. While he currently stands 5th in the world, three of the four ahead of him are four years younger or more. The other? Roger Federer, who has had a rebirth of his own to coincide with Roddick. In fact, Federer has been the thorn in his side for years.
It must be frustrating for Roddick, who was literally points away from winning his first ever Wimbledon again Roger Federer in the finals earlier this summer. This was a classic match that truly could have gone either way.
Realistically, he might only have seven legitimate chances left in his career. By the end of 2011, he’ll be on the verge of 30 years old, which might as well be 60 in tennis years.
Roddick showed the tennis world what he’s capable of doing. At this point, it’s all in his hands to prove that it wasn’t a fluke. Many write it off since Rafael Nadal sat out from Wimbledon with injury. Nadal, the defending champion, probably would have emerged from Roddick’s half of the draw, say critics.
The US Open is HIS Grand Slam, and a huge statement can be made if he could snap Roger Federer’s streak of five on route to his 2nd slam of his career.
Tags: Tennis