Tennis FanHouse

Why You Won't Find Tennis Great Pete Sampras on Twitter

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, U.S. Open, French Open, WTA, WTA Rankings, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

During a time when so many top athletes are addicted to Twitter, tennis great Pete Sampras tells us why you'll never find him sending out updates on the social networking site. Also, hear what this former No. 1 ranked player has to say about the state of tennis today, and why the United States is no longer dominating the sport. Sampras, by the way, is second all-time in earnings, making over $43 million as an active player.

Check out the video after the jump.

Why You Won't Find Tennis Great Pete Sampras on Twitter originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brooklyn Decker, Andy Roddick Getting Married This Weekend

Will Brinson — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:15:00 EST

Filed under: Media Watch, Grand Slam, U.S. Open, WTA, ATP

Mercifully, Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open. Otherwise, he would be stuck facing accusations of untapped potential and disappointment on the courts. Then again, he's reportedly marrying model Brooklyn Decker this weekend, so no matter his exploits on the tennis court, his life can't ever be too bad.

Top Couples in Sports

Internet sensation Julia Allison and NFL star Jay Cutler
Relationship Status: Reportedly spotted together at Club 51 in Chicago.
Click through to see more top sports couples.

Getty Images

Tennis star Andy Roddick and fashion model Brooklyn Decker
Relationship Status: Reportedly getting married this weekend.

Getty Images

Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley and soccer star Heather Mitts
Relationship Status: Engaged on Christmas Day

Getty Images (2)

Tennis star Roger Federer and Mirka Vavrinec
Relationship Status: The tennis legend married his longtime girlfriend on Saturday. They are expecting their first child this summer.

Alexander Nikolayev, AFP / Getty Images

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen and NFL star Tom Brady
Relationship Status: Reportedly married in February, and again in April

Marcel Thomas, FilmMagic

NBA star Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa
Relationship Status: Married since 2001, with two daughters

Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE via Getty Images

Tennis legend Boris Becker and Lilly Kerssenberg
Relationship Status: Will marry on June 12

Florian Seefried, Getty Images

NBA star Marko Jaric and Victoria's Secret supermodel Adriana Lima
Relationship Status: Reportedly eloped on Valentine's Day

Will Ragozzino, Getty Images

Denver Nuggets star Nene and Lauren Prothe
Relationship Status: Reportedly married

Joshua Duplechian, Rocky Mountain News

Golf star Lorena Ochoa and airline executive Dr. Andres Conesa
Relationship Status: Reportedly engaged

People is "reporting" the news that Decker and Roddick will tie the knot this weekend near Austin, Texas, Roddick's hometown.

Roddick, 26, and Decker, 21, plan to celebrate the nuptials with two days of festivities near Roddick's Austin, Texas, home. "They wanted to keep it local," the source says. And very private. The pared-down guest lists includes mostly family and a few close friends of the pair, who met when Roddick spotted Decker in a magazine and asked his agent to find her number.

That's right, folks: love, the old fashioned way, found in the pages of a magazine and then stalked. Seriously, Decker says he stalked her and she finally caved after five months of messages, flowers and ~~threats~~ love notes.

I kid, of course. Roddick's a world famous tennis star and athlete-celebrity type, really rich, a pretty good looking dude and one HELL of a model American ... why wouldn't Brooklyn Decker want to be stalked by him? Feel free to put your reasons in the comments, unless you're Mandy Moore, in which case no one will believe you're not just bitter.

SI Cover Models

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girl Bar Refaeli joins a memorable line of swimsuit models featured in the annual issue. Her 2009 photo shoot was also used in promotion with Southwest Airlines, with an image of Refaeli in a bikini painted on the side of a Southwest Boeing 737. Click through to see more swimsuit page-turners from the past.

Charles Sykes, AP

2008 - Marisa Miller
Not only was Miller featured on the cover of the 2008 edition, she's also known as a Victoria's Secret Angel. Miller has also done cameos for TV shows such as "Entourage" and "How I Met Your Mother".

Stuart Ramson, AP

2007 - Beyonce Knowles
Beyonce appeared on the 2007 cover with an inset of Israeli model Bar Refaeli. She holds the distinction as the first non-model and non-athlete to pose for the cover, and the second African-American after Tyra Banks.

Charley Gallay, Getty Images

2006 - All-Star Past
The special edition featured an assortment of great cover models including, from left, Rachel Hunter, Veronica Varekova, Yamila Diaz-Rahi, Daniela Pestova and Elsa Benitez. It was also Elle Macpherson's record 5th cover.

Louis Lanzano, AP

2005 - Carolyn Murphy
The American model was featured on the cover with an inset of Jessica White, Marisa Miller and Yamila Diaz. In July 2007, Forbes magazine named her sixth on the list of the World's 15 Top-Earning Supermodels.

Peter Kramer, Getty Images

2004 - Veronica Varekova
Varekova appeared on the cover of the 40th anniversary edition with an inset of tennis knockout Anna Kournikova. She's been in the swimsuit edition a total of eight times from 1999-2002 and 2004-2007.

Peter Kramer, Getty Images

2002 - Yamila Diaz-Rahi
The Argentine model posed in Mexico for the 2002 cover edition, and moved on to appear on the cover of other magazines such as GQ, Glamour, Maxim, Elle and Shape.

Doug Kanter, AFP / Getty Images

2001 - Elsa Benitez
The Mexican model, who was previously married to former NBA star Rony Seikaly, posed for the 2001 cover in Tunisia. She has appeared in the swimsuit edition five times since her debut in the magazine.

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

1995, 2000, and 2006 - Daniela Pestova
Pestova, who appeared on the cover three times, has also posed for GQ, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and ELLE. She's reportedly been dubbed "The Chameleon" for continuously changing her look.

Ron Galella, WireImage.com

1999 - Rebecca Romijn
The American film and television actress is also a former fashion model who is a fixture on annual lists of the world's most beautiful women by publications such as Maxim and FHM.

Diane Freed, Getty Images

Brooklyn Decker, Andy Roddick Getting Married This Weekend originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rivalry for the Ages: Breaking Down Nadal-Federer Australian Open Final

Tom Herrera — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

So it all comes down to this. No other match would have been more fitting. Top-ranked Rafael Nadal advances to another final against rival Roger Federer, who is trying to equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles. While the hype machine has been focused on the Super Bowl, in my mind, this main event will pack better pure action than Steelers-Cardinals can offer.

It'll be the seventh time Rafa and Roger go head-to-head to decide a Grand Slam, but this one has more edge than ever, especially after last year's epic five-set breakthrough for Nadal at Wimbledon. It also might be Nadal's toughest test yet; he looked invincible throughout most of the tournament, but needed five hours and 14 minutes to dispense of Fernando Verdasco in the semifinals. The five-set marathon brought the Spaniard to tears, and now he has to face a Federer full of confidence -- fresh off his domination of Andy Roddick.

We turn to the roundtable format to debate where Nadal can recover for his first Grand Slam final on a hard court, and thwart Federer's shot at history in the process.

Your thoughts?

Bryan Tucker: Nadal has beaten Federer the last two times they have squared off in a Grand Slam final, and I fully expect him to make it three in a row in the wee hours Sunday morning. Yes, Nadal did have a grueling marathon match against Verdasco in the semis, but that's the first time in the tournament he's played more than three sets. The 22-year-old will run over Federer for his sixth Grand Slam title in four sets.

Chris Burke: Nadal had Federer's number all of last year, obviously capped by that Homer-worthy epic at Wimbledon. Both players have had one match where they've looked pretty vulnerable -- Federer in the fourth round against Tomas Berdych, and Nadal the other night against Verdasco. The timing there is advantage: Federer. Since he dropped the first two sets against Berdych, he's just rolled and beat Juan Martin del Potro and Roddick like rented mules. And not even good, quality rented mules that you enjoy riding, but like a rented mule that gets lost and won't do what he's instructed and occasionally tries to take a nap. Federer wins, and I won't be surprised if it's in less than five sets.

Tom Herrera: I think you spend a little too much time with mules in general, but I'm going with Federer as well. Early on, I firmly believed Nadal was the sharpest player in the tournament. He's playing aggressively and out to prove something. Now, after that seemingly never-ending contest with Verdasco, you have to wonder if Nadal will have the energy to play with the same fervor as he did throughout most of the tourney. Fedi has been resting since Thursday, while Rafa is going to be playing his first hard-court Grand Slam ever. It should be another tight battle in sports' best rivalry, with Federer (aka Andre Marshall's god) earning his 14th Grand Slam title when all the sweat has dried.

Will Brinson: It's amazing to me how quickly we are to sink the good ship Federer (or strap him onto an old mule and send him into the mountains, if you prefer) simply because of two wins by Nadal.

The guy's still by far and away the most dominant tennis player of the past ten years. And I think he will remind everyone why today/tomorrow/whatever depending on your schedule. Federer FTW.

Mark Hasty: They're totally different, Federer and Nadal, yet they both play at such a high level it almost makes you wonder why the rest of the field even bothers to show up. Federer is so smooth he doesn't seem like he's been coached so much as he's been engineered. Nadal is more flamboyant, to be sure. A lot of people seem to be wondering whether the five-hour match with Verdasco and the wilting heat have emptied Nadal's tank, but he's a highly trained athlete who can bounce back from stuff that would send mere mortals to bed for a few days. That, and he's 22 years old. He'll be fine. I think Nadal wins in five sets, and I can't wait to watch.

Shane Bacon: It is seldom that I find Brinson's commentary spot on, but this is one of those times.

Federer had a tough 2008 and now he is history? If you've watched any of these matches thus far, you'd probably reconsider.

It was a tough semifinal for Nadal and it is tough to bring it for consecutive matches when you basically just beat yourself up for five hours against a fellow countryman. Federer looks like he has it once more, and if anyone can hit ground strokes with Fist Pump, it is Roger. I think Mr. Army Knife takes him down in four sets and regains the title as Best Tennis Player Ever.

So who do you think will win this classic? Lend your opinion in the comments below.

Rivalry for the Ages: Breaking Down Nadal-Federer Australian Open Final originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slammin' Serena Leaves Safina Feeling Like a Ballboy in Aussie Open Final

Tom Herrera — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open, WTA Rankings

Serena Williams may have just redefined the word "domination" as far as tournament finals go. In an absolute thrashing, Serena routed Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3 Saturday to win the Australian Open -- her 10th career Grand Slam title. With the victory, she returns to the No. 1 ranking, and we might as well just stamp her name on Melbourne Park for now. After all, she's won four out of the last seven women's championships there.

Safina was simply overwhelmed from the start. She double-faulted three times in the first game -- including on break point -- and Williams finished the first set off in a smoking 22 minutes. Serena had 23 winners and just seven unforced errors overall, winning more than twice as many points as her 22-year-old opponent.

"I didn't even spend one hour on the court," said Safina as she apologized to the crowd. "Serena played just too good - I was just a ballboy out there today." It was the most lopsided Australian Open women's final since 1962 (other than matches that ended early due to illness or injury).

So, yeah, it's not going to take much for Federer and Nadal to top this one.

Serena faced questions at the end of 2008 due to nagging injuries that forced her to retire from a few tourneys. But following this win and her U.S. Open performance last year, there's no doubt which Williams is on top of the tennis world again.

Capping off a dazzling week in which she became the all-time leading money winner in women's sports, Williams is now just the fifth woman ever to win four or more Australian titles.

Serena Williams Snapshots

Serena Williams of the United States speaks during the awarding ceremony after beating Russia's Dinara Safina, right, in the Women's singles final match against at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates winning a point in her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

Serena Williams of the United States, left, holds the trophy next to runner-up Russia's Dinara Safina during the awarding ceremony after the Women's singles final match against at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Slammin' Serena Leaves Safina Feeling Like a Ballboy in Aussie Open Final originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic: 'If You're Not Fit Enough, Get Out of Here'

Shane Bacon — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

As Tuesday's Australian Open match between Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic was nearing an end, and Djokovic was moving around the court with the grace of a dump truck, the ESPN commentators asked an open question about the Serb's conditioning: "What will his peers say off the record?"

It was the Serb's fourth retired match in a Grand Slam, and Djokovic (right) is only 21. Also, coincidentally, Roddick had called out Djokovic for being a little bit of an injury-milker at the U.S. Open last year, so this issue has been raised before. Well, no less an authority than Roger Federer spoke about the matter, and it wasn't off the record. He flat out said Djokovic needs to do something to be more fit.

"He's not a guy who's never given up before ... it's disappointing," said Federer, who will face Roddick in the semifinals. "I've only done it once in my career ... Andy totally deserved to win that match."

"I'm almost in favor of saying, you know what, if you're not fit enough, just get out of here," Federer added. "If Novak were up two sets to love I don't think he would have retired 4-0 down in the fourth. Thanks to Andy that he retired in the end. Andy pushed him to the limits. Hats off to Andy."

Yes, Novak. The answer is yes. Yes, you just got called out by one of the best tennis players in the history of the game because you were hot.

We all know that Novak struggles with hot weather, which is understandable, but you know Melbourne is going to be toasty come Australian Open time. It always is. How can you not prepare for it?

Roddick, at times in his career, has looked under-prepared, but 2009 seems a touch different. He recently dropped some pounds by working hard and changing his diet, because he wanted to compete against these top players. If you're a player that knows he will struggle when the temperates soar, don't you find a way to prepare? Like go play tennis in the desert or practice and then go sit in a sauna? Maybe not.

"Didn't really have time to recover," Djokovic said. "Conditions were extreme today. It did affect more on me than him, as you could see. But, you know, that was the situation. I just have to cope with it. Really tried my best, but sometimes you can't fight against your own body."

Yes, but you know it is a Grand Slam and you know it is going to be tough, so while your body might not have been ready for such a beating, it could have been.

Latest Aussie Open Photos

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating France's Gilles Simon during their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

France's Gilles Simon, left, walks of the court after he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

France's Gilles Simon reacts as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal during their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning over France's Gilles Simon in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

France's Gilles Simon, left, asks for video replay of the match winning point at the net as Spain's Rafael Nadal looks on during their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. Nadal won the match. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

France's Gilles Simon reacts as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Spain's Rafael Nadal throws a towel to the crowd after winning over France's Gilles Simon in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

France's Gilles Simon, right, walks of the court after he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal, left, in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic: 'If You're Not Fit Enough, Get Out of Here' originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serena Williams Holds On, Rafael Nadal Rolls in Quarterfinals

Shane Bacon — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:43:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open, WTA

Tennis is a funny game. One minute you're up against match point, with your tournament hopes hanging by a thread, and then a few points later you're suddenly running away the momentum.

This was the case for two of the ladies in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. After winning the first set, Svetlana Kuznetsova was serving for the match against Serena Williams, but Serena broke the Russian at 4-5 to even the second set, and basically stole all of Kuznetsova's mojo. Then, despite some hot Aussie weather, Serena stayed focused and sweated her way to a second-set win and an absolute clobbering in the third set to win the match, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1.

On the men's draw, it was another dominating performance by top-seed Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is basically making this look easy, winning his fifth straight match in straight sets when he took down Frenchman Gilles Simon, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5.

With fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco trumping Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, it set up an all-Spaniard semifinal match in Melbourne.

"I think it's incredible for us," Nadal said. "One will be in the finals, so we have to be happy with that."

If you are a big tennis fan, make sure to brew some Red Bull mixed with coffee for early Thursday morning, when Roger Federer meets Andy Roddick in the semifinals at 3:30 AM ET on ESPN2.

Serena Williams Holds On, Rafael Nadal Rolls in Quarterfinals originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roger Federer Rolls In Quarters, Faces Andy Roddick Next

Shane Bacon — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

There are dominant performances on the big stage, and then there are Roger Federer dominant performances.

In his Australian Open quarterfinals match against Juan Martin Del Potro, Federer volleyed, served and ground stroked his way to a near-perfect defeat of the 20-year-old Argentinian 6-3, 6-0, 6-0.
After the match, a slightly confused Del Potro said what most people say after they face Federer.

"You have to ask Roger what happened. I can't do nothing in the match. He play like No. 1 of the world, so that's it," said the Argentine, looking, understandably, a little bit punch-drunk in the post-match press conference. "I just have a bad day. He's Roger Federer. If you don't be good, you lose."

The win pits No. 2 Federer against No. 7 Andy Roddick, the last remaining American on the men's draw, who hasn't fared so well against Roger (the Swiss engineer is 15-2 head-to-head), but he does have something he can hang his Lacoste hat on -- Roddick won the last meeting between the two at the Miami Masters last year.

As the 26-year-old Roddick has been told a million times, when facing Federer in a Grand Slam, his game will have to be about two stoplights north of perfect to have a chance. While Roddick was given a little bit of a gift on Tuesday by Novak Djokovic, who retired in the fourth set, his road to the semis has been rather delightful. Roger, on the other hand, has already had to go the distance in his fourth round match against Tomas Berdych after Federer lost the first two sets.

Latest Aussie Open Photos

Russia's Elena Dementieva reacts as she plays Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro during their Women's singles quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Russia's Elena Dementieva, right, shakes hands with Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro after winning their Women's singles quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Elena Dementieva of Russia celebrates winning match point in her quarterfinal match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during day ten of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Elena Dementieva

Getty Images

Russia's Elena Dementieva looks on during her women's singles quarter-final match against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Elena Dementieva of Russia celebrates defeating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain after their women's singles tennis match on day 10 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 28, 2009. Dementieva won 6-2, 6-2. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Russia's Elena Dementieva returns to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro during their women's singles quarter-final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro looks on during her women's singles quarter-final match against Russia's Elena Dementieva at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Russia's Elena Dementieva celebrates on her way to beating Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro during their Women's singles quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Reuters

Roddick, on the other hand, has had to complete a fourth set just once, in his second round match, and has his serve in a different gear from the rest of the field.

"You know, I think it helps that I stopped a big streak against him last year in Miami," Roddick said. "It's certainly not going to hurt at all. I'm probably the least favored of anybody to make it to the semis here. I'm just going to keep going and keep my head down and keep working. I'm not going to get too excited."

I guess he will leave that for the rest of us.

Roger Federer Rolls In Quarters, Faces Andy Roddick Next originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novak Djokovic Can't Handle the Heat, Retires to Andy Roddick

Shane Bacon — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:09:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

I really can't stress how passionless the last three sets looked by Serbian Novak Djokovic. Maybe I don't understand how hot it was on Rod Laver Arena, but I can guarantee it wasn't hot enough to be moping around all afternoon like someone ran over your dog.

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.

Prince Williams/FilmMagic.com

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)

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.

Novak Djokovic Can't Handle the Heat, Retires to Andy Roddick originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Andy Murray Latest Top Seed to Fall at Australian Open

Mark Hasty — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:53:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

Andy Murray will have time to contemplate the pie floater this week. The No. 4-seeded Brit lost a five-set match to Spain's Fernando Verdasco (right) on Monday at the Australian Open, becoming the latest seeded player to get beat at a tournament that hasn't been kind to the "over-dogs."

Yet, with five of the top eight seeds through to the quarterfinals, the carnage in the men's draw is much less severe than in the women's draw. Also, don't worry; Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are still on course to collide in the finals. And defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, the No. 3 seed, is also still alive and will face No. 7 seed Andy Roddick.

Roddick is the sole American left in the men's draw. No. 9 James Blake, the other American who made it to the round of 16, lost in straight sets to No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday. Tsonga and Verdasco will meet in the quarterfinals.

Roddick and Djokovic have played three times before, with Djokovic holding a 2-1 edge. Roddick pushed Djokovic hard in the quarters of last year's U.S. Open but ultimately fell. Should Roddick lose this match, it will continue a Grand Slam drought not only for him but for all U.S. men. An American man hasn't won a Grand Slam title since 2003, when Roddick won the US Open and Andre Agassi won the Australian title.

It's hard to imagine just how quickly the American men's fortunes have turned. Agassi, Jim Courier, and Pete Sampras combined for 20 Grand Slam titles during the 1990s. Since 2003, however, not only have US men failed to win a Slam tournament, they've rarely even made the finals. Roddick was the last American to do so, and that was in 2006.

In the other quarterfinal matches, Nadal will face No. 6 Gilles Simon and Federer will face No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro.

Andy Murray Latest Top Seed to Fall at Australian Open originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Defending Champ Djokovic Rolls, 16-Year-Old Shines at Aussie Open

Tom Herrera — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:45:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

It was a pretty easy stride to the second round of the Australian Open for Novak Djokovic. The defending champ took care of Andrea Stoppini (ITA) 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 at Melbourne Park, but it was 16-year-old Bernard Tomic who stole the show on the first day of competition.

At just 16 years and 90 days, the Australian teenager became the youngest male winner ever at the Aussie Open by defeating Potito Starace in a grueling 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6) match. The previous record-holder was Todd Woodbridge, who set the mark in 1988 and would go on to have a very successful 17-year career.

If Tomic was nervous at all in front of his rowdy home crowd, you wouldn't have been able to tell.

With his eyes masked by hip sunglasses for the entire three hours and 15 minutes and a distinctive blue bandanna wrapped around his head, Tomic showed great poise in dispatching his Italian opponent.

It's a dream come true to win a first round in my first Grand Slam," the teenager beamed.

"I'm just thrilled that I could pull off a win today. With the crowd behind me, it was an unbelievable experience."

The dream could stay alive for Tomic, as he moves on to face Luxembourg's Gilles Muller, who needed nearly four-and-a-half hours to get past 27th-seeded Feliciano Lopez in five sets.

In other noteworthy action on the men's side, three-time semifinalist Andy Roddick advanced to round two with an easy victory over Swedish player Bjorn Rehnquist.

He committed just 10 unforced errors and was off the court in less than two hours, before temperatures reached 97 (F) at Rod Laver Arena.

In the women's bracket, Serbian stars Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic battled some early mistakes and increasing heat to avoid upsets. The boiling sun was so much for Jankovic that she actually iced the soles of her shoes during changeovers. "My feet were burning," said Jankovic, who's out to prove she can win it this time around after her recent layoff.

For more, catch up with all the first-round action on our scoreboard.

Defending Champ Djokovic Rolls, 16-Year-Old Shines at Aussie Open originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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