andy roddick

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Murray Dislikes Fish For Breakfast

What he said:

"The hardest thing is 45 minutes to an hour before going on court I have to get pasta and fish down and fish at that time of the morning isn’t great.”

Andy Murray is not voluntarily an early bird when it comes to taking to the tennis court.

The Scot is not enthused about having pasta and fish before his big match against Andy Roddick at the Paris Masters.

Murray added:

That’s why tennis is a bit challenging because you never know when you could play.

It’s something you get used to the more years you’re on the tour but it’s probably the earliest start I’ve had in six or seven years.

Murray lost in the quarters to Tomas Berdych.

What he really meant:

“I’d rather be fishing that early.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“More sauce with the pasta, please.”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Roddick Is Cognizant About Negotiations

What he said:

“Listen, you don’t go into negotiation and have someone represent both sides.”

Andy Roddick is not convinced that the ATP system is in the players’ best interests.

The men’s body is currently seeking a fresh CEO.

Roddick said:

Hopefully someone can get in there and win the battle of rhetoric one of these times and get someone to approve some changes. But under the present system, he really can’t. Some of the good ol’ boys club have it figured out pretty good. It’s not an easy position. It’s not as if we haven’t had smart people. We have had different types; very abrasive kind of showy personalities in there; we’ve had more of a demure, quiet, smart person in there. We’ve covered our personality bases. I think at a certain point you have to look at the system as being flawed as opposed to continually looking for the scapegoat.

The ATP board consists of seven members including the CEO; three are tournament representatives and the other three present the players’ views.

The 10-member ATP Player Council elect the player representatives.

Roddick feels that it’s “an impossible situation” for the ATP head.

Listen, you don’t go into negotiation and have someone represent both sides. It just doesn’t happen in any business transaction or negotiation. I don’t think it’s the CEO’s fault. It’s an impossible situation. I think the system is suspect.

What he really meant:

“Negotiations are not about eating your cake and keeping it too.”

What he definitely didn’t:

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

A Union Occupies Andy Roddick’s Thoughts

What he said:

"I don’t think we’re storming offices, but I think the sentiment is still there."

Andy Roddick contemplates the formation of a players’ union. The seemingly heretical idea has gained ground in recent weeks because of the atrocious rescheduling of matches at the US Open this year due to rain. Andy Murray earlier called for a strike if the number of mandatory tournaments during a calendar year are not curtailed.Players on the circuit play almost throughout the year specifically if they are also committed to Davis Cup.

Roddick said:

We need to be smart about it and take our time and make sure that it’s well thought out and not be kind of reactionary. But, you know, there is a discussion going on.

You have to have a voice in order to get it accomplished.Whatever our individual interests are and what we want changed, nothing is going to happen unless we’re on the same page.

Novak Djokovic pulled out of the Shanghai Masters to recover from a back injury sustained during the US Open final. Roger Federer has opted for six weeks of  rest and recuperation skipping the Asian swing.

On their withdrawals, Roddick remarked:

They don’t get their money this week. Obviously, if they were feeling well and they weren’t worn down, then they would (be here). We’re not getting away with anything by pulling out of tournaments. I feel like that’s the way it’s presented sometimes. That’s just not the case.

What Andy Roddick really meant:

“What we really need is an ‘Occupy ATP and WTA’ campaign.”

What Andy Roddick didn’t:

“Fewer tournaments, more money. Can things get better than that?”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Roddick Loses Match and Composure

What he said:

“I think you should retire.”

Andy Roddick responds to a Chinese journalist’s query whether he is considering retiring any time soon.

The question followed his first round loss to South African, Kevin Anderson, 4-6, 5-7 at the China Open in Beijing.

Roddick paused, rolled his eyes, ejaculated his rejoinder and left the interview room.

What he really meant:

“What??? A couple of early losses and I’m toast! Good morning, China!”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Victory and defeat are two sides of the very same coin. Treat both impostors no different.”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Roddick Talks Money

What he said:

“13% of total revenue?  I’ll let you write your story.”

Andy Roddick does not shy from articulating that players feel that they need a bigger say in how tournaments are run (and how much money they receive).

What he really meant:

“You have the facts and figures. Go figure.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“If the players received less money, then maybe Arthur Ashe could put up a new roof and quick.”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Roddick Is Baffled

What he said:

"I’m baffled, I’m baffled. Why are we out here?"

Andy Roddick is none-too-pleased with having to take the court on a wet day in Queens, New York.

Roddick, in his interview later, clarified:

I was surprised the second time we got called out.  We walked back there and it was wet, so I couldn’t quite figure out why we were called out.  I even said it’s coming from under.  It’s not something you can dab a towel on and make it go away.  I watched the monitors, and they were dabbing towels on it the entire time. Then they called us back out, and we walked right over it and it was wet.  I could not believe what I was looking at.  I mean, puts us in a little bit of an uncomfortable position, too, because obviously, you know, we want to play and stuff.  But it’s still there, dude.

What he really meant:

“We should be chiming ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head’ instead.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I love wet balls.”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Roddick Negotiates At The US Open

What he said:

"I have been trying to tell people that talent normally wins in negotiations."

Andy Roddick believes it’s time players banded together to form a union. This would ensure that commercial interests do not override players’ welfare.

What he really meant:

“Tournaments aren’t money spinners when they lack star players.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Negotiations are as easy as serving aces.”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Roddick Does Not Let Cramps Crimp His Style

What he said:

“Cramp in your ass, you can’t sit on it anymore.  Makes it tough.”

Andy Roddick expounds on Rafael Nadal’s cramps collapse at his post-match interview.

Roddick said:

Yeah, not to put a dampener on the story, which I know you guys think is really big, but people cramp after matches when you’re cold.  It’s just something that happens.  It’s just unfortunate it happened in front of you all.  Every single player in there has had that happen before.  Every single one.  What we do, we run around, run miles and miles and miles and miles on the tennis court in nasty weather.  You throw nerves in there, I mean, it happens.  As long as it doesn’t happen during a match, you’re fine.

What he really meant:

“Have you ever seen a guy stand when he’s suffering from cramps?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Cold weather, nerves and plenty of running. What a cocktail for adrenaline.”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I’m convinced being a tennis analyst is the easiest job in the world. Because whatever the person does, if it works, you just say, ‘That’s what’s good,’ and if it doesn’t work, you guys just go, ‘He should have done the other thing.’ I’m pretty convinced that I could be a tennis analyst when I’m done."

Andy Roddick, take a bow. The 2003 US Open champion launched into a tirade against tennis analysts, terming them arm-chair experts.

Roddick claimed:

“It just doesn’t take much thought. If I’m grinding, and I’m winning, you guys are like, ‘He’s reinvented himself,’ and if I’m playing like crap and pushing, it’s, you know, ‘He’s horrible and needs to hit the ball.’ Everybody’s an expert, but I’m better than most of them have been."

Nobody’s arguing with the former champion. Very few analysts have won Slams or as many tournaments as Roddick has.

Hats off for telling it like it is.

What he really meant:

“Sports analysis is easy. You’re right if the player’s wrong. You’re still right if the player’s not.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m done reading my copy of ‘How To Take Criticism With a Smile’. I’d love to lend it to you guys—now (that I’ve had my say).”

Nine serious contenders for men’s title at Wimbledon: Milos Raonic, dark horse

Image via Wikipedia

In the men’s section, the top four seeds each have designs on the title.

Will it be Rafael Nadal, last man standing, on July 3, 2011 making it a treble of French Open and Wimbledon crowns in the same season, emulating his 2008 and 2010 feats—further etching in stone comparisons to the marvellous Bjorn Borg?