he showed up in Australia in January, 2009, 10-15 pounds lighter and with new coach, Larry Stefanki by his side.

In the end, 2009 may not go down as one of Roddick’s most memorable years with the exception of his April marriage to Brooklyn Decker.  On the tennis court, Roddick had a 48-15 singles record in 2009 and won his 27th career singles title in Memphis and his 4th career doubles title in Indian Wells earning $2.3 million in prize money and millions more in off-court endorsements.  However, Roddick was1-3 in finals including the third time in his career that he lost the Wimbledon Final to Roger Federer, albeit one for the record books.  In the other Grand Slams, Roddick reached the semis at the Australian Open, a career-best fourth round result at the French Open and was upset by fellow American, John Isner, in the third round of the U.S. Open.  In Davis Cup,  Andy won two matches in the first round versus a Federer-less Swiss team, but had to miss the second round Tie versus Croatia in July because of a hip injury he suffered during his loss to Federer in their epic Wimbledon Final.  

Roddick has now won at least one singles title for nine straight years, will finish 2009 as the top American and will be ranked in the top ten for the eighth straight year.  Roger Federer is the only other active player to achieve those distinctions.  Roddick leads the ATP World Tour in average first serve percentage, i.e. 70% and is in second place behind 6’ 10’’ Ivo Karlovic for the most aces despite being sidelined with injuries during the summer and fall. 

Roddick will have had an extended off-season this year because of his knee injury and he will need to find his match form quickly in January after more than three months on the sidelines.  Andy’s booming serve should hopefully help him win enough cheap points while he finds the rhythm with the rest of his game.  Given the results posted by Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, as well as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in 2009, Roddick will again have his work cut out for him if he hopes to challenge for Grand Slam titles.

Posted by TC at 07:29 PM || Comments (0)