By Mike McIntyre
Boy did we ever learn a lot about Andy Roddick on Sunday at Wimbledon. The supposedly one-dimensional American certainly proved his critics wrong. While the history books will show that Roger Federer won his record breaking fifteenth Grand Slam title, few people will forget just how close Roddick came to achieving his elusive second. In dramatic fashion on Sunday he pushed the greatest tennis player that ever lived to five entertaining sets eventually falling by a score of 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14.
In their fourth career meeting at Wimbledon and third championship final, Roddick displayed a well-rounded game that we never expected to see. Sure he had played brilliantly against Andy Murray in the semi-finals, but could he do it in back-to-back matches and against a player who had soundly dominated him in their previous encounters? Fortunately for viewers, both players were full of surprises on this day. Who would have thought that Roger Federer would hold the edge in aces by a margin of 50-27? More shocking was Roddick's ability to match the Swiss superstar from the baseline. He continually punished Federer with his two-handed backhand up the line, and also with the wicked forehand he would flick cross-court.
Despite a career head-to-head record of 18-2 against the American, Federer appeared to have his hands just as full against Roddick as he had the previous two years against his nemesis Rafael Nadal. I don't know how Roddick could step on court and from the opening game pressure Federer as if the two were on equal footing. Roddick's mental composure was just as impressive as his physical abilities on the court.
At 5-5 in the opening set it did momentarily appear as though Federer was preparing to impose his will on Roddick when he had three break points. Instead, Roddick managed to hold serve and then promptly break Federer to take the opening set 7-5. Our curiosity was piqued, but still the expectation was that Roger would respond in his usual dominating way.
In the second set both players stayed on serve throughout, forcing a tiebreak that we will not soon forget. Roddick lept out to a seemingly commanding 6-2 lead in points. At 6-5 in the breaker, and on serve, he missed an overhead volley on his backhand that seemed destined to move him into a two sets to love lead. Instead he shanked it as bad as could be imagined to even the breaker up 6-6. Federer took the next two points and evened the match up at one set apiece.
Speaking about the missed backhand volley, Roddick said, "Well, there was a pretty significant wind behind him at that side. It was gusting pretty good at that time. When he first hit it, I thought I wasn't gonna play it. Last minute, it looked like it started dropping. I couldn't get my racquet around on it. I don't know if it would have dropped or not."
I wondered if Roddick would be able to keep his cool after blowing such a golden opportunity and I'm sure I wasn't alone in thinking that. Would the pressure of the moment overwhelm him? He would surprise us all once again by maintaining his composure and continuing to stay with Federer.
Despite losing the third set in a tiebreak, he kept pressuring Federer in the fourth set. Roddick, who still hadn't lost serve in the match, broke Federer for the second time to go up 3-1 in that set. He took the set 6-3 to force one of the greatest fifth-set Grand Slam finals we have ever seen. While it wasn't as strategically brilliant as what we witnessed a year ago, it had just as much tension as both players refused to give up their service games. The games went by quickly, and both Federer and Roddick did what they had to in order to extend the match.
The key moment came at 8-8 with Federer serving at 15-40. Roddick had a glorious chance with two break points. All he had to do was convert one, and then serve it out for the win. Instead Federer managed to save both points through some well-placed first serves that pushed Roddick off-court. Despite returning them both, Federer was positioned for easy winners. The match continued on serve until tied at 14-14. By that point it broke the record for most games in a Wimbledon final and had everyone at home on the edge of their seats.
Roddick finally waivered as he served at 14-15. A couple of nervous errors and Roger had it - his fifteenth Grand Slam victory. Instead of his usual celebration consisting of falling to the ground, Federer began to jump up and down with complete jubilation. He knew how close he had come to losing to Roddick.
Even in defeat Roddick was amazing. He somehow held his composure enough to deliver a thoughtful and humble speech to those in attendance. He praised his opponent and vowed to return and try and win Wimbledon one day. Losing for the third time puts him in the same category as Goran Ivanisevic. After the performance he put through this year, I hope Roddick has the same result as the Croat should he make a fourth final at the All England Club.
In a sport with so many naturally talented players who waste their potential through a lack of commitment and discipline, it is refreshing to see a veteran like Roddick willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals. Training harder, focusing on his diet and diversifying his game have all made a difference in 2009. Most noteable, his partnership with Larry Stefanki is paying huge dividends and he has shown us parts of his game we always hoped he could find.
Just as Andre Agassi managed to do as he matured both as a person and a tennis professional, Andy Roddick has gained our respect and I would say our hearts as well. He has played during an era where two of the greatest tennis players of all time have emerged and no doubt been denied Grand Slam success on multiple occasions. He is more talented a player than his one U.S Open victory would suggest and now seems closer to repeating that success than we have expected in along time. Let's hope he doesn't dwell on what might have been at Wimbledon for too long and continues his recent resurgence this summer.
