In the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Andy Roddick took down Djokovic, who retired in the fourth set, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 2-1 (ret.). It was the 21-year-old's fourth retirement in Grand Slam matches.
Andy Roddick Snapshots
Jesse Levine, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Sir Elton John, Melanie Oudin, Andy Roddick and Anna Kournikova attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
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Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick and Recording Artist Sir Elton John attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Ben Rose/WireImage.com
Former Tennis Professional Martina Navratilova, Former Tennis Professional Anna Kournikova, Recording Artist Sir Elton John and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Ben Rose/WireImage.com
Recording Artist Sir Elton John, Former Tennis Professional Anna Kournikova and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Ben Rose/WireImage.com
Former Tennis Professional Anna Kournikova, Recording Artist Sir Elton John and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Ben Rose/WireImage.com
Recording Artist Sir Elton John and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Ben Rose/WireImage.com
Jesse Levine, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Sir Elton John, Anna Kournikova, Melanie Oudin and Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Ben Rose/WireImage.com
Andy Roddick of the United States returns to Serbia's Novak Djokovic in a Men's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
AP
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia towels down between games in his quarterfinal match against Andy Roddick of the United States of America during day nine of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Novak Djokovic
Getty Images
Novak Djokovic of Serbia uses ice wrapped in a towel to cool down in his game against Andy Roddick of the US during their men's singles tennis match on day 9 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 27, 2009. Roddick powered into the Australian Open semi-finals when defending champion Novak Djokovic pulled out with illness trailing 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 2-6, 1-2. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
"To be honest with you, i thought if i got the second break in the third (set) and when I won the third, I thought that might be it," Roddick told ESPN2 after the match. "It probably (had to do with conditioning) today, it was hot out there but i worked pretty hard during the off season for days like today, and I felt good, so that probably got me through."The heat on the court, which tipped 146 degrees by some calculations, basically roasted the defending champion early in the second set, and as Novak struggled to keep his chin from hitting his chest, Andy was as nimble as his 15 poundless body could allow him.
Dedicating himself to become a leaner athlete in 2009, Roddick is said to be as skinny as he was in 2003, when he won his lone Grand Slam. In a match where Novak continued to hit drop shot after drop shot, Andy was allowed the opportunity to show that the pounds took nothing away from his pop off the big serve but added a little to his ability to move around the court.
It is funny how things work in sports. In September of this past year, Roddick fueled a mini rivalry between himself and Djokovic by calling the man out with all his "injuries." Roddick was quoted as saying, "You know, (Djokovic is) either quick to call the trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time. I think it's up for you guys to decide."
In this match, with the heat beating down on both players, Djokovic called over a trainer and basically got one of those back alley massages that included everything but the happy ending.
Some points on the tennis. Andy still looked vulnerable deep to his backhand. When Djokovic needed a point, like in the first set tiebreaker, he'd go deep to Roddick's backhand which is still an area of concern. With that said, Roddick hit some winners in the last three sets with his backhand that weren't easy shots.
Also, Roddick's serve hasn't looked better. The guy is pounding the ball and appears to be able to put it where he wants. Late in the second set, Roddick was serving a staggering 78 percent on his first serve. Also, it is worth mentioning the conditioning. At one point when Djokovic looked like someone had just told him his puppy had been run over, Roddick got off his seat and ran by him, almost saying, "You keep holding your head, I'll keep running down returns."
Andy moves on to the semifinals for the fourth time at the Australian Open.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-28-2009 @ 9:10AM
anny said...
I'm sure it was hot out there, but it's the Australian Open. The players know it's going to be hot. Djokovic pulls this crap all the time. Has he ever retired when he was winning?
Reply
1-28-2009 @ 1:27PM
jmnardiello said...
Like someone else said...has Djokovic ever retired when he is winning? No! Something to think about with him.
Reply