For those of you arriving late, Andy Roddick‘s tennis career has been about much more than his last match, the 2009 Wimbledon final.
In fact, don’t ask him about what we all know — that he lost in five heartbreaking sets (including the longest fifth set in Grand Slam history), playing arguably his best tennis, to none other than Roger Federer — because here’s how Roddick is dealing with it.
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“I’ll keep you posted.”
Next subject.
Yes, he’s matured. Yes, he’s improved. Yes, he’s enjoying his newfound status because “it’s fleeting.” But the trajectory of Roddick’s career didn’t change in one day.
“One thing I’ve been very conscious of this year is the fact that it’s a continual process, and this is the start of the process toward the U.S. Open,” said Roddick of his return to the Legg Mason Classic. “I’d love to get off to a great start, but it would be presumptuous of me to expect that in my first match in over a month.”
Roddick faces a potentially killer draw in Washington, too. But if he survives for a fourth Legg Mason title, it won’t be because of London, rather a decision simply to not be satisfied.
“You’re either going forward and moving backward, and the last six months of last year, I felt like maybe I was going the wrong way,” he said. ” É A lot has been made of the decision to go forward, but in my eyes, that’s just what you do. It’s normal. When you do something, you want to try to get better, if it’s at all possible.”
