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2009 News/Schedule Thread

17K views 137 replies 24 participants last post by  tangytennis 
#1 ·
Time to start this I guess. We all know about the new coach and the :crazy: schedule but let's get it in a thread. He'll start at the $$$$$$$AbuDhabi$$$$$$$ exhibition Jan 1-3 and then with all those guys to Doha the following week. Maybe he will cut down on the optionals throughout the year..... then again that'd be the smart thing to do, right? :eek:
 
#30 ·
no, this cannot be true :haha:

Tennis: Roddick will be main drawcard at ATP Tour event
By : Ajitpal Singh


AN ATP Tour event is set to be played in Kuala Lumpur in September and World No 9 Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, is among the players likely to play in the event most likely to be held at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Jalan Duta.

Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) president Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff, who confirmed this, said the ATP Tour high range event is expected to attract some of the top names.

"An ATP official, together with a foreign organiser, visited the NTC about two weeks ago and were happy with the facilities. However, they want the indoor stadium to be ungraded," said Abdul Razak yesterday.

"The stadium needs to be upgraded into a 3,000 seating capacity arena and it must be fully air-conditioned with proper lighting.

"The event, if everything goes well, will be held at the end of September. The total prize money will be released soon."
The NTC has hosted several world class competitions the last being the ATP Challenger event in 2007.

Abdul Razak said Roddick has intentions to feature in Kuala Lumpur. The American's appearance will likely be the selling point of the event.

Roddick, presently playing in the ongoing Australia Open where he reached the quarter-finals yesterday, is known for his powerful first serve and aggressive baseline game.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Sport/2463297/Article/index_html
 
#32 ·
:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: no comment :haha:
 
#34 ·
:scratch: another tournament in September? :eek: Andy, you have enough money already! :sobbing:
 
#35 ·
http://www.thetennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=4234
Fat ass Andy last year.
I bet he didn't want to admit how unfit and emotionally corrupted he was (both self-hurt and bad mistakes other people did to him).


knew he had blown that fourth set, and realized he had not broken Tipsarevic in the entire match, failing to exploit eight break point opportunities in the process. He was forthright in conceding that his nerves had cost him dearly on this occasion. "Any chance I got, he said, "I pretty much just choked it...I could sit here and dance around it all night, but I mean you guys watched it. It was what it was. It's like you want something so bad you almost squeeze too tight."

That was irrefutably the case in his downfall against Tipsarevic. Coming into the tournament, Roddick seemed to have the best chance of anybody outside the "Big Three" (Federer, Nadal and Djokovic) of capturing the title. He had, after all, beaten all three of those players during the 2008 season. He had reached consecutive Wimbledon finals in 2004 and 2005, losing to Federer on both occasions. He surely felt good about his chances a few months ago after playing his way into impressive early season form.

But Roddick's preparation for Wimbledon was damaged by a shoulder injury he suffered in Rome, where he reached the semifinals. He had to pull out of Hamburg and missed the French Open. He played well at Queen's Club, but an injured Mardy Fish retired after the first set of a round of 16 meeting with Roddick, and Andy Murray had to default against him in the quarterfinals. So Roddick, who lost to Nadal in the semifinals, did not get quite as much out of Queen's as he might have wanted. A few more sets at that tournament would have toughened him up significantly.

To be sure, Roddick's preparation for this Wimbledon was disrupted. But the fact remains that it will be no facile matter for this man to reemerge on a major stage. He triumphed at the 2003 U.S. Open and finished that season deservedly at No. 1 in the world, ahead of the Wimbledon champion Federer. Roddick concluded 2004 at No. 2 in the world, slipped to No. 3 in 2005, and finished the last two years at No. 6. That is evidence of his enduring status as a front line player, but it is also proof that others have overtaken him.

Roddick took on the issue of his future with absolute honesty in his post-match press conference after his bruising defeat against Tipsarevic. He said, “By no means am I going to complain about anything I have been blessed with, but it's almost at the point where I win another Slam or what? It’s a tough thing to deal with. Either you win a Slam or what, you're disappointing? You kind of have to deal with that every day."

He elaborated when asked about perhaps putting too much pressure on himself to win a second Grand Slam title. Said Roddick, “I’m gonna have pressure on myself regardless. And it’s not from anybody, it’s from within. You know, I want to win another Slam. I could probably coast and not train and be a top 10 player and kind of have a cushy lifestyle and be set for as long as I need to be set for. I’m happy as I can be away from losing tennis matches. But I don’t know if that appeals to me. I don’t know if I’m satisfied with that...I want to win another Slam."

It won’t be easy, and he fully understands that. Roddick’s serve remains one of the primary weapons in the sport. He is a big, strong guy, a fine athlete, and a very industrious individual who works his rear end off. And he is a terrific competitor. His heart is immense, and his tenacity is extraordinary. In turn, he had expanded his game decidedly across the years. Although his volley - especially the forehand volley - will always be somewhat suspect, he is willing to come forward and he can attack surprisingly well in some contests.

And yet, Roddick is surpassed from the back court by too many adversaries. Tipsarevic sparred with him comfortably in all of the rallies, and was always the first to take a slight risk, changing the direction of the exchanges by going down the line off the backhand. That match was symbolic of many Roddick encounters in this respect: he will chase down balls relentlessly, give little away, and look for an opening to attack. But his ground game is not penetrating enough. His two-handed backhand is essentially flat but not piercing. And his forehand is nowhere near as explosive as it once was.

Be that as it may, I still think Roddick has an outside chance to break out of the "one Slam wonder" club which includes Goran Ivanisevic, Michael Chang, and Richard Krajicek. None of those players finished a year as the best in the world, or ever resided at the top. And it is worth remembering that Roddick has been a stalwart Davis Cup competitor who was the “main man” when the Americans won the Cup in 2007.
 
#36 ·
WTF? :haha:

Andy Roddick Personalized Gifts at Great Friends Greetings
Imagine receiving a beautiful greeting card from Andy Roddick, personalized just for you.

Andy Roddick has joined with Great Friends Greetings and is now featured in the company's line of top quality custom printed greetings. Andy Roddick's greeting cards, which make great gifts, are available exclusively at www.greatfriendsgreetings.com.

The cards, from Andy, are designed and personalized by customers specifically for their recipients.

A perfect gift for youth players and fans of all ages, and a great way to express good wishes. Great for birthdays, congratulations (nice going), good luck (encouragement), get well and holidays. The cards are beautiful one-of-a-kind keepsakes that will be saved and displayed for a long, long time, and are likely to outlast most other, pricier gifts.

At Great Friends Greetings, Roddick joins an exciting and eclectic roster of stars that includes fellow tennis stars Justine Henin and Vera Zvonareva, soccer legend Kristine Lilly, softball star Jennie Finch, gymnastics icon Shannon Miller, Olympic double-gold medalist LaShawn Merritt and country recording star Collin Raye.
 
#37 ·
AS I mentioned, Andy wants to be mama's saint boy. Too bad he didn't become an actor
instead of a clown tennis player. That face and smile alone, make him better
than Brad Pitt Clown.
 
#39 ·
Andy Roddick & Michael Tolcher Team Up

Tennis champ Andy Roddick makes a guest appearance in singer-songwriter Michael Tolcher’s new “Speed Feels Better” music video.

“I stalked Michael until he let me into the video,” Roddick joked to JustJared.com. “But no, Michael was nice enough to play a charity event of mine a couple years ago, did a great job, so when he asked if I could be in the video I jumped at the chance to be here and repay the favor.”

Also featured in this video are some sports greats: swimmer Amanda Beard, football player Barry Sanders, figure skater Kimmie Meissner and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel.

 

Attachments

#43 ·
http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/11496933
New ATP head looks to expand tour's appeal
March 13, 2009
CBSSports.com wire reports


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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The new head of the ATP Tour wants to broaden the appeal of men's tennis, while acknowledging the weak global economy has impacted the sport.

"I know there is a thought that the sport has not necessarily commercialized its appeal to the extent that it could, and I'm hopeful we can do better in that regard," Adam Helfant said in a question-and-answer interview posted on the tour's website on Friday. "That's a real opportunity for us, obviously tempered by the economic climate."

Helfant, a former Nike executive and lawyer for the NHL, was hired in January to run the men's pro tour.

Without going into specifics, Helfant said the tour was feeling reverberations from the financial crisis.

"Any discussion on challenges and opportunities has to start with the global economic situation, which has an impact on virtually everything. We are certainly not recession proof, and we're monitoring the effects on our tournaments in particular, and seeing how it is affecting fans' habits," he said. "We know it's had a big effect on hospitality and the sponsorship environment is very different."
 
#44 ·
:cool:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/1/en/news/newsarticle_2646.asp
POPULAR RODDICK TOPS ONLINE CHINESE POLL



American Andy Roddick has defeated strong competition from ATP World Tour Champion Rafael Nadal and former World No. 1 Roger Federer to be crowned the Sina.com’s favourite male tennis player in China for 2008. Sina.com is China's No. 1 news website.

Roddick has confirmed he will return to the 2009 China Open at the Beijing Olympic Tennis Center in October, in order to defend his title. The ATP World Tour 500 tennis tournament forms a part of the Asian swing, which culminates at the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 presented by Rolex.

Last year Roddick donated $50,000 to the Chinese Tennis Association to be used for the reconstruction of tennis courts and facilities in the earthquake hit Sichuan province.

Roddick was shocked but honoured to receive the award and said that he was looking forward to playing in the China Open later this year.
 
#47 ·
With coaches, Blake, Roddick take different paths to success http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2009-03-12-blakeroddick-coaches_N.htm
By Douglas Robson, Special for USA TODAY
Since turning pro within a year of each other nearly a decade ago, Andy Roddick and James Blake have become friends and travel partners, shared Davis Cup duties and carried American hopes on their backs.

But the best male players of the current generation have taken a radically different approach when it comes to the voice in their ears.

Since joining the circuit in 2000, the cannon-serving, forthright Roddick has engaged no less than seven coaches on a part- or full-time basis. Blake, who spent two years at Harvard before jumping to the pros in 1999, has had one.

"I've always said about tennis, it's a very individual sport," 13th-ranked Blake said in a conference call last month. "What works for one will never work for another."

"I don't think it was a conscious decision or anything I set out at 18 years old" to have so many different voices over the course of the career, Roddick says. "I don't think it's something that you can generalize."

Roddick began his 2009 campaign with new coach Larry Stefanki, a former pro and veteran coach who has worked with a number of top players. Stefanki replaced Jimmy Connors, who Roddick parted ways with last spring.

Blake is in Indian Wells with Brian Barker, the only coach he has had since age 11.

Blake is much more the exception than the rule. Most players switch coaches throughout their playing days as priorities change and relationships become stale. Compensation, travel and logistics also play a role.

Finding the right mix can be tricky, as Roger Federer learned last week. The Swiss No. 2 could not come to terms with former pro and ESPN commentator Darren Cahill after inviting him for a trial run to his second home in Dubai last week. Cahill, with two young children, didn't want to travel as much as Federer required.

Both Americans say there are pros and cons to their different approaches.

"For me, I would not be nearly as successful with someone that didn't know me as a person, and know my strengths and weaknesses on the court," says Blake, who at 29 has finished in the top 10 two of the last three years.

Roddick joked that mimicking Blake would "require me finding a coach that could put up with me for nine years."

Blake praised Barker for knowing the nuances of his game and for being as much friend as mentor, as when he supported Blake through his comeback in 2004 following a broken neck, the death of his father and a vision-blurring disease.

"I credit him with making me the best player I can possibly be, and absolutely maximizing my potential," says Blake, adding that "we are going to be friends for life, that's not even a question."

"One of the things that makes our bond strong is that there have been so many ups and downs," Barker says.

Former No. 1 Roddick, 26, likes to pick the brain of some of game's best minds, and it has often paid quick dividends.

He rode his early association with Brad Gilbert in 2003 by storming through the summer hardcourt swing and winning the U.S. Open. He has also started strong with Stefanki, reaching the Australian Open semifinals and winning last month's indoor tournament at Memphis.

"There's been a couple of times in my career where it's really jump-started my playing just by having a fresh voice," Roddick says.:eek:

The downside is the getting-to-know-you process, along with periods of transition.

"Obviously, continuity is a good thing, and there have certainly been times where I've been without someone or in transition and you're just kind of trying to make due," Roddick said.

With 37 titles and a Davis Cup championship between them, the two Americans must be doing something right, even if they have chosen opposing coaching paths.

"If he had the same coach the whole time he wouldn't be as good as he is, said Blake of Roddick. "If I had changed coaches, the way he has, I wouldn't be as good."
 
#49 ·
:haha: :haha:

Roddick to play Indy Tennis Championships
By Mark Ambrogi
Posted: April 19, 2009


The Indianapolis Tennis Championships often doesn’t determine its match schedule until the night before the matches.
Advertisement

But tournament director Kevin Martin is already planning ahead for the July 20-26 tournament at the Indianapolis Tennis Center. Martin announced today that two-time Indianapolis champion Andy Roddick will open play in the featured evening match on July 21.

Martin said this will help fans to plan ahead to see fan favorite Roddick play.

The session will be called Andy’s Day.:haha: :haha: It will benefit Andy Roddick Foundation, which was set up by Roddick and his mother, Blanche, to help children improve their educational and economic opportunities.

“We are very excited about working with the tournament to make Tuesday night (July 21) a successful evening of tennis and fundraising,” Roddick said in a statement.

“Our foundation is dedicated to brightening the future of children. We see this as perfect opportunity to make an even bigger difference for those in need.”

Spectators with the name of Andrew or a derivative of the name will get in free with a photo ID. :haha: :haha:

Sale of specially designed T-shirts, which benefit the foundation, also will be available for purchase that day.
 
#54 ·
Spectators with the name of Andrew or a derivative of the name will get in free with a photo ID. :haha: :haha:
:rolls: That is the most random incentive ever :haha: It's nice of them to support the foundation, but letting Andys in for free?!? :lol: What about Blanches? Poor Ma Roddick.
 
#50 ·
:eek: :lol: that's a bit sexist, not going to find many females called andrew! :rolleyes:
 
#51 ·
Andrea, maybe? :haha:
 
#53 ·
Senile mom strikes again. :spit: Who cares about winning?
We cure cancer, even after we die young Andy! :yeah::haha::eek:
 
#55 ·
:haha: :haha: It reminds me of a hotel I stayed in in Italy. It's the Hotel David, and they had on their site that if your name was David you got a 5% discount on your stay, or something like that :haha:
 
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