[NYCtennisfan]

Goldfine would be good for an player just rising from the junior ranks. He can teach technique and positioning and so on. Roddick's basic game isn't going to change all that much. He needs someone who can work on his head.

Roddick was tremendously confident coming out to play. He was confident in the beginning but he makes a few mistakes, Lux hits some shots and then you can see his confidence go away even though he was simpoly tied in the 1st set after Lux broke back. Then Lux started playing really well and ANdy started playing more passively, not hitting big FH's whne he had the chance, hitting short shots off of both the FH and BH wings and then Muller ripped some amazing shots.

To Muller's credit, he didn't crack under pressure. 99% of Roddick's oponents crack under the pressure because he his holding serve so easily. His opponents hold serve well against him but then there is always that game that has a Df, an eror, a good Fh by Roddick and then the pressure builds because it is so hard to break Roddick. Muller totally kept his cool and kept hitting big shot after big shot after big volley.

 

[Jimnik]

As many people have said here, Andy doesn't really have a tennis brain. Gilbert did all the thinking for him by telling him what to do and what to focus on during a match. I don't think Goldfine helps him at all in this manner.

 

[NYCtennisfan]

As many people have said here, Andy doesn't really have a tennis brain. Gilbert did all the thinking for him by telling him what to do and what to focus on during a match. I don't think Goldfine helps him at all in this manner.

Frankly, I think Andy like Goldfine because he is a nice, passivle guy. That's what it seems like to me. I could be totally wrong. I don't think he liked the irksome, in-your-face Gilbert style but I think that is what he needs.

 

[Iheartandy&roger]

I dunno what he should do all I know is Goldfine is not doing the job I have never seen Andy so up and down but I guess it's not Goldfine's fault get your head out of your ass Andy.

 

[mangoes]

Muller played unbelieveably tonight but this is a low point for Andy now. He needs to do something to shake things up. I don't think his current team is going to get him where he wants to go. No coach might be able to make up for his lack of return instincts and stiff left arm on the BH but he is definitely regressing. I am not a Roddick fan nor am I a basher/hater but to see Roddick out in the 1st round of the USO just doesn't seem right.

I agree, this new coach isn't cutting it.........
But from stuff I read, it seems Andy likes this coach because he doesn't like the limelight as much as Brad Gilbert does..........question I have for Andy is what is more important, a great personality or someone who would truly be an asset?

 

[amierin]

As many people have said here, Andy doesn't really have a tennis brain. Gilbert did all the thinking for him by telling him what to do and what to focus on during a match. I don't think Goldfine helps him at all in this manner.

And yet he fired Gilbert. Without a script Roddick is lost. A tennis match can't be scripted. Gilbert understood how Andy's brain works and tried his best. I don't think Lundgren would take Roddick on now. Andy should swallow his pride and call Brad.

 

[liptea]

The thing is Andy is dumb as a rock on and off the court.

Maybe he learned from you?

 

[HappyAndie]

if he fires Goldfine, he should try it on his own maybe, the way Federer did some time

Alternatively, he could just hire Federer

In all seriousness, I think that after some point, and I think the point has been reached with Andy and Goldfine, there is just nothing else to really be passed on. Andy has gotten all the technique/whatever he is going to get from Goldfine. It's not anyone's fault really, just time to move on.

I don't know about Gilbert. It seems to me, and this is just my personal opinion, that when Gilbert and Andy did post match interviews this summer, that there was a lot of....uncomfortable vibes coming out. I don't know how to explain it really, but I think that there is something personal with the whole Gilbert/Roddick situation that would just bar it from working out again.

I hope he finds somebody, and not Peter Lundgren. Marat has done much better since he picked up Lundgren!

 

[mitalidas]

If roddick drops Goldfine for this loss, which coach would want to team up with him?

Every potential coach would think that oh, if this guy loses early in any slam, off goes my head. It is a stupid strategy to fire coaches every time you let yourself down. Goldfine can go blue in the face giving roddick the best advice. Ultimately, the player has to translate --not every player does this successfully. roddick is a shining example. He does not have the ability to switch gears, go to a Plan B when Plan A fails

 

[Jimnik]

If roddick drops Goldfine for this loss, which coach would want to team up with him?

Every potential coach would think that oh, if this guy loses early in any slam, off goes my head. It is a stupid strategy to fire coaches every time you let yourself down. Goldfine can go blue in the face giving roddick the best advice. Ultimately, the player has to translate --not every player does this successfully. roddick is a shining example. He does not have the ability to switch gears, go to a Plan B when Plan A fails

If you think Roddick is bad, look at Marat. He goes through different coaches like a hot knife through butter.
I still think all this "Plan B" talk is rubbish. Many great players in the past stuck to one playing style throughout their whole careers. Federer is just an amazing exception.

 

[senorgato]

I'm not sure if Andy needs a new coach or not. Everyone has brought up alot of valid points for and against it.

But there are two things that Andy definitely needs to improve: his backhand and his overall strategy.
His backhand is less effective than alot of the women's two-handed backhands.
His strategy of just hitting the ball hard, keeping it fairly centered is not working. Someone needs to introduce Andy to a protractor so he knows what an angle is.
And he doesn't seem to go out there with any type of game plan. It should have occurred to Andy at one time or another that Muller was eating up his pace with no problem. Andy did not try anything to change things up. And his standing 5-10 feet behind the baseline doesn't threaten anyone.

I think the bottom line for Andy though is his own mind. I have seen too many matches where he's serving like a madman. then one bad game, like he had at 5-3 in the first set, will turn the entire match around.

Of course, it's all easier said than done.

 

[mitalidas]

If you think Roddick is bad, look at Marat. He goes through different coaches like a hot knife through butter.
I still think all this "Plan B" talk is rubbish. Many great players in the past stuck to one playing style throughout their whole careers. Federer is just an amazing exception.

yes and I think the idea that someone believes roddick has the ability to change strategies --even slightly-- during a match is rubbish

 

[TenHound]

Andy's only problem is that people had expectations that he would be a champion level tennis player. He's a kid w/arm speed who tagged along to the tennis courts after his older brother. It's his misfortune that his brother got the tennis heart & Andy the genes. He's only a half a tennis player & no coach will change that. When asked what he wanted to do when he retired, he said "Sit in front of the tv watching football w/a big bowl of Cheetos." Poor Kid. I hope that day comes soon for him.

 

[ugotlobbed]

na muller too good tonite,...roddick seriously needs to volley better....his volleys suck

 

[KoOlMaNsEaN]

Brad was the best thing that happened to him...

 

[ugotlobbed]

lemme say this ......if roddick improves his defensive skills.....hell be top 3 calibur again.......think about it......that like his biggest weakness...i mean the consistency he doesnt have cuz hes on the offense...but how many times have u seen roddick at net when someone hit anything but a floater...roddick will just like tap the ball back ....he sucks on the defense thats it ...and his return of serve... a no no...eveyrthing else is in place..he just needs more feel...

 

[pikespeak]

I agree, this new coach isn't cutting it.........
But from stuff I read, it seems Andy likes this coach because he doesn't like the limelight as much as Brad Gilbert does..........question I have for Andy is what is more important, a great personality or someone who would truly be an asset?

I reped you for this.

Andy and this limelight-phobia thing is pressing around. I live here in L.A. and I watched him media-whore twice in front of me eyes during the ESPYs/Playboy Mansion thing, and so has my friend who worked for Playboy. Going after people who are comfortable in their surroundings (i.e. the media spotlight) isn't fair, and Roddick should know that. Maybe he gets uncomfortable when others get more attention that him. I don't know. He comes off bursting with confidence one minute in front of cameras and then it seems he's waiting for his mother to give him a hug.

However, back to the Brad Gilbert issue...

It seems--and it's a theory, that the Brad/Andy breakup was bitter and personal. Apparently, Andy fired Brad during his media tour to promote his book. Maybe--I stress that word-- Andy felt Brad was trying to make money off his name? According to an article I read this week, Andy was trying to shrink his public profile so he got rid of Brad and that Mandy woman. If he did that, he is as dumb as a bucket of rocks.

I don't know. If he hates the spotlight, why so many endorsement deals? Maybe he should start looking for the exit.

It pains me to say that--it really does. Man.

Be that as it may, I'm not quite certain, actually not at all, that Dean should go, I like him, personally, but what happened tonight was a complete travesty.

Heads are going to roll.

 

[NYCtennisfan]

His backhand is less effective than alot of the women's two-handed backhands.
His strategy of just hitting the ball hard, keeping it fairly centered is not working. Someone needs to introduce Andy to a protractor so he knows what an angle is.
And he doesn't seem to go out there with any type of game plan. It should have occurred to Andy at one time or another that Muller was eating up his pace with no problem. Andy did not try anything to change things up. And his standing 5-10 feet behind the baseline doesn't threaten anyone.

This is his biggest problem. He cannot threaten anyone from the baseline with the BH. He can keep the ball in play but not gain the advantage or move people around with it. Muller just pinned him to his BH with powerful approaches to the BH and Andy couldn't pass him. I think he passed him twice from that side. add to this that he has a poor return of service, his opponent is controlling most of the points on his serve. Roddick couldn't have served any better but did nothing on Muller's serve.

 

[oneandonlyhsn]

or get peter lungren. since he's more focused than safin anyway...

I doubt Lungren would touch Roddick, he just isnt his kind of player

lemme say this ......if roddick improves his defensive skills.....hell be top 3 calibur again.......think about it......that like his biggest weakness...i mean the consistency he doesnt have cuz hes on the offense...but how many times have u seen roddick at net when someone hit anything but a floater...roddick will just like tap the ball back ....he sucks on the defense thats it ...and his return of serve... a no no...eveyrthing else is in place..he just needs more feel...

Roddick doesnt do defensive play, and great feel is something that cant be taught, you either have it or you dont. You can improve your volleys and slice by practicing your like hell but if you dont have the natural feel for the ball, there will always be shots that will elude you as a player.

 

[amierin]

Roddick is a victim of the USTA and their system. Until American players are taught to play on clay, a surface that demands both physical and mental strength travesties like this will continue to happen. I'm afraid that Donald Young, who is at least two to three years away (he hasn't gone through his growth spurt yet) will be pushed faster than he should be. I hope his parents don't let this happen but you never know.
There is nothing wrong with being good on the hardcourts but the most entertaining players today know how to build a point, not rush, and take advantage of an opening when it occurs.

Roddick may be the type who will never admit a mistake(he is a Virgo) but even if he doesn't go back to Brad he needs someone who will be in his face and not kissing his butt.

As an American I am sorry to have to say this but I feel it needs to be said. And I don't hate Roddick. I think he can develop a game but only if he's willing to listen. If he doesn't take a positive step the "dumb as a rock" statement will prove true.