US OPEN 2012
US OPEN THURSDAY DIARY: STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO RODDICK
New York, U.S.A.
by ATP Staff | 30.08.2012
Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick
will retire from professional tennis
after the US Open.
ATPWorldTour.com takes a look at the news and talking points at the US open on the first Thursday.
Federer In Roddick’s Corner
Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick announced his intention to retire from professional tennis after the US open. On Friday, at 7:00 p.m. on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 2003 titlist and No. 20 seed will play Bernard Tomic of Australia in a second-round match.
World No. 1 Roger Federer who beat Roddick in the 2004-05, 2009 Wimbledon and 2006 US open finals, told the supporters after his 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 win over Bjorn Phau on Wednesday, “I hope you are going to make it tough for Tomic. Andy truly deserves a great ovation and a great atmosphere and a great crowd tomorrow night. He’s going to need it because Tomic’s a great player. I’m sure [Andy's] going to feed off the atmosphere and play an amazing match - the one that we know he’s always going to come out and do, serve great and compete at his very best. I’m definitely going to watch it. It’s one not be missed and I hope it’s not his last.”
A Man’s Best Friend
Andy Roddick admitted, “My dog is going to be excited. I'm not going to be a dead beat dad anymore. It will be an adjustment, but hopefully if I ever want to come say, ‘Hi’ to you all, they'll give me a credential.”
When asked what he is going to miss, the American said, “I don't think I'm one of the guys who won't pick up a racquet for three years. I still love the innocent parts of the game. I love hitting tennis balls. I love seeing the young guys do well. I’ll still have a lot of friends to watch. I'll miss the relationships probably the most. As time passes, I'll probably miss the tennis more.”
Players Pay Tribute To Roddick
James Blake: “We'll miss Andy a ton. Andy has definitely been very open with guys. He mentored Harrison, Donald, all the practice partners. He'll spend time with all the guys at Davis Cup. He's been great. We're definitely going to miss him.”
Roger Federer: “In my mind, he is a Wimbledon champion, as well, a wonderful ambassador for the game. I'm thankful for everything he's done for the game, especially here for tennis in America. It's not been easy after Agassi and Sampras, [Jim] Courier, [Michael] Chang, [Jimmy] Connors, [John] McEnroe, you name it. I probably forget a bunch of them because you had so many good players in the past. It's been hard for him as well at times. I thought he always did the best he could. That's all you can ask from a guy like Andy.”
Sam Querrey: “He's been my biggest role model the last 10 years playing tennis, watching tennis. He's been a great guy, a great leader to us all. Nice and kind, really generous to the up and comers. For me, for Harrison, for the 18 year olds now, he's just an unbelievable champion, a Hall of Famer, just a great guy, great person for the sport the last 12 years.”
Milos Raonic: “He's done great things. He did a lot for tennis in a part where it was struggling a little bit after [Pete] Sampras and [Andre] Agassi were getting a little bit older, were struggling a little bit. He had a magnificent career. I think he was eight or ten years in the Top 10, which is very impressive. He's done a lot of great things for himself and the sport. It's sad, but I'm sure he has a lot of exciting things to look forward to.”
Jack Sock: “He was a guy I watched growing up a lot, especially when he was winning this tournament, playing really well. I mean, I was just coming up as a junior, so he was definitely a guy I watched and looked up to and idolised. It's definitely going to be a big loss to the tour. He's a great guy, always nice to me. I thought we were friends. I wish him the best after this. Hopefully he can do something here this week, as well.”
Tribute Tweets
@darren_cahill (Darren Cahill): “He started his career the same way he will finish it. Gutsy, loyal, committed, brash, honest and entertaining. Andy Roddick. #respect”
@DwyaneWade: “OH NO say it ain't so… great player but better person @ESPNTennis: Andy Roddick announces he'll retire after 2012 Open”
@Becker_Boris (Boris Becker): “Listen all, I really respect Roddick! Classy, intelligent, funny fighter that gave the game a lot of heart and soul!!!”
@Maheshbhupathi (Mahesh Bhupathi): “Congratulations @andyroddick, you have done both yourself and your sport proud, and I have no doubt you will continue to do so....”
@TommyHaas13 (Tommy Haas): “Just an outstanding career @andyroddick has had, a dream for most of us. It truly was a pleasure competing against you. New chapter baby time
”
@JimmyConnors (Jimmy Connors): “Andy Roddick retiring. A great champion, 10s ambassador, crowd favorite and my friend. You worked hard enough, time to enjoy your life"
@jojomelzer (Jurgen Melzer): “@andyroddick congrats on a great career. All the best for the future. Proud to have shared the court with you! will miss you”
@ryanharrison92 (Ryan Harrison): “Incredible career Andy. Thanks so much for everything you have done for me and all of American tennis. Can't thank you enough#HallOfFame”
@Bryanbrothers (Mike Bryan): “Love ya big man. What a hell of a career! Happy B Day to a future Hall of Famer and great friend.”
@rohanbopanna (Rohan Bopanna): “Sad to see the great @andyroddick announce his retirement. A player with immense talent and true spirit.”
@justingimelstob (Justin Gimelstob): “Congrats 2 @andyroddick on an amazing career, 1st ballot hall of famer, he is an over achiever NOT an underachiever. #fb”
@yvesallegro (Yves Allegro): “Tennis losing a great champion.. All the best to @andyroddick for his last US open and his life after tennis..”
@Bryanbros (Bob Bryan): “Sad to see @andyroddick announce his retirement but excited for him to start his new life. I'm happy to call Andy my f…”
@paul_annacone (Paul Annacone): “Congrats AR. Great career , great life ahead enjoy next chapter well deserved”
@PrakashAmritraj (Prakash Amritraj): “Remember playing dubs w/ @andyroddick at US open juniors in 2000. Man time flys. Congrats bro. U been an inspiration to the globe from day1”
@BjorkmanTennis (Jonas Bjorkman): “Congrats 2 @andyroddick on an amazing career and for being such a good ambassador for the sport. #USOpen”
Tennis Balls Get Makeover
Vogue, the American fashion and lifestyle magazine, commissioned 12 designers to customise the classic tennis ball. See the results here.
The Importance Of Style In Tennis
After his 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 second-round win over Spain’s Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, Sam Querrey was asked about the importance of style in tennis? The American said, “It's pretty important. If I have a cool looking shirt or a hat that fits me right, I feel better on the court. I was just watching Federer in the locker room. His shirt looks really cool. I just mentioned it to someone. To me it's pretty important.”
Match Of The Day
World No. 52 Slovak Martin Klizan claimed the biggest win of his career Thursday when he upset fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in two hours and 12 minutes. “I had no pressure,” said Klizan. “If I lost, then I lost to a good player. But I won and I'm very happy. It means more that I beat finally a guy from the Top 10.” Klizan hit 32 winners and committed 42 unforced errors, six more than Tsonga, who could only convert four of his 12 break point opportunities.
Aż Karol(w przerwie pomiędzy zachwytami nad Szwajcarem), wyraził obawę, czy aby forma nie przyszła za wcześnie. 
No faktycznie, będzie bardzo trudno utrzymać taką dyspozycję do finału włącznie, ale trzeba wierzyć, że to możliwe.
