Last year, after starring in commercials and ads leading up to the U.S. Open, Andy Roddick suffered a first-round upset. The loss crystallized his fall from the top of tennis, and magnified questions about his parting with coach Brad Gilbert, his stagnating game, his rising hubris and dwindling wins.
Times have changed. And to his credit, Roddick has changed them. In yesterday’s first-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, he crushed Florent Serra 6-2, 6-1, 6-3. Roddick roared after a 26-minute first set, with a first-pump and yell that seemed as much catharsis as celebration.
“It’s a lot better than last year, a better start. I’m really confident right now,” Roddick said. “[I yelled because] I just felt it. I felt OK, now the Open’s started. I’m getting up. I was excited to get off to a good start.”
Roddick has played better since he started working with a new coach, legend Jimmy Connors, a month ago.
Maybe it’s a rumored relationship with Maria Sharapova – dubbed Rodanova – which both have steadfastly refused to comment on. Or perhaps it’s the influence of the five-time U.S. Open champ Connors, whose fiery play and contentious personality seem to be rubbing off on the 23-year-old.
Whatever the case, it’s working. With Connors, who declined interview requests, watching from the players’ box for the second time as coach, Roddick was dominant.
“Yes,” Roddick said when asked if he was more confident since working with Connors. When asked why, he responded only with “Because I’m winning.” When asked if he could elaborate, he said “No” with a smirk.
“I’m excited every morning when I wake up to try to learn new things. His passion for the game . . . is huge. It’s contagious,” Roddick said. “He can bring a lot to the table as far as preparation and different ideas and seeing the game through his eyes. He knows a lot more about tennis than I did and probably ever will. You can only get better from something like that.”
He already may have, demonstrated in a match that lasted one hour, 15 minutes – far shorter than yesterday’s two-hour rain delay. At first, Roddick was content to let Serra beat himself with 37 unforced errors. Then his 150-mph serve put the Frenchman back on his heels, and to show he’s developing a net game, he came in to take advantage and was 15 of 17 when he came in.
Sharapova, when asked what she looks for in a boyfriend, said: “I travel 10 months a year, so one that understands the business I’m in and respects it; but also someone who has a good sense of humor. I’m not too picky.”
She said dating a tennis player would make that easier.
“But it’s not just about the sport,” she said. “It’s about finding a person you connect with.”
Last year’s upset to Gilles Muller sent Roddick into a malaise; he hadn’t won until Cincinnati a week ago. Now, he’s looking to reprise his 2003 title.
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Yesterday’s results
MEN – First Round
Andy Roddick (9), United States, def. Florent Serra, France, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.
Tommy Robredo (6), Spain, def. Flavio Saretta, Brazil, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.
Feliciano Lopez, Spain, def. Ivan Ljubicic (3), Croatia, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Andre Agassi, United States, def. Andrei Pavel, Romania, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (10), 7-6 (8), 6-2.
WOMEN – First Round
Justine Henin-Hardenne (2), Belgium, def. Maria Elena Camerin, Italy, 6-2, 6-1.
Lindsay Davenport (10), United States, def. Klara Zakopalova, Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-4.
Elena Dementieva (4), Russia, def. Laura Granville, United States, 6-1, 6-4.
