
Besides handing Andy Roddick a cold beer, what would you say to Roddick if you were his coach, aka Jimmy Connors, after Roddick's loss to Roger Federer in the Australian Open semis?
One had the impression that walking into the match against Federer, Roddick really felt he could, and would, win.
Then Roddick was broken in his first service game and at again at 4-4 in the first set, blanked in the second set, etc.
It seemed that Roddick was deflated after that first break/game of the match, let alone
after the first set or break in the second set.
That's the first thing I'd tell Andy.
Play the match point by point.
Even if you lose a set 6-0, you can still take the next set and even the match.
From a strategy standpoint, Roddick needs to step up his forehand even more than his backhand - where is his dominating forehand that he used when he won the U.S. Open?
His serve is also not effective enough against Federer.
Maybe Roger reads it better than other players, but Roddick's serve should still set up points for him.
It's great to see Roddick coming to net more frequently, but like Connors of old, Roddick will only be successful at net if he comes in when he has a relatively easy volley.
Too many times against Federer, Roddick came in behind short approach shots or when Federer wasn't that pressed.
Federer could stop, think and choose where he wanted to pass and Roddick looked like a deer in headlights guessing where the passing shot was headed.
Lastly, each match is a brand new encounter.
The next time he plays Federer, Roddick needs to play as if
it's the very first time... and he has no memory of his previous 13 losses.