Saturday, March 18, 2006
Roddick and USTA, I Told You So!
Andy Roddick lost another pathetic match this week, this time to Igor Andreev. Yes, Andreev. Andy went a little "mental" at the end of the match, as I guess someone of Andy's ranking and potential should. But I'm not surprised, and I told you so here several years ago.
If you look back at my columns, you will see time and time again how I felt that Roddick would wind up being potential never realized, and that his big serve and forehand only game would not hold up over time. I guess I'm allowed to say it right now, "I told you so!"
Roddick has made a ton of mistakes over the past couple of years, the biggest of which was parting ways with coach Brad Gilbert. While Brad's methods are not always obvious, he does manage to bring out the best in players and teach them how to win, not just compete. I've watched Brad during practices with both Andy and Andre Agassi, and there really doesn't seem to be anything that a coach like myself doesn't already know or couldn't teach. But obviously there is. Roddick didn't see it, and prematurely cut off his own head.
Since Gilbert's departure, Roddick has been mediocre at best. His game has become more one dimensional, his approach to points clearly not thought out, and because of that he can't get past hot players like Andreev let alone ever think to approach Roger Federer.
Once again, the American tennis fan is left wanting. Yes, James Blake has really blossomed since returning from his near career-ending accident two years ago. James is as good as they come, and is now winning much more than he loses. Unfortunately, James' game does not have enough to win on talent and speed alone, and he hasn't yet perfected the all-court style. Robbie Ginepri, Taylor Dent, Vince Spadea, and the like are fun to watch, but a step below the top for sure. Maybe Roddick fell prey to the great expectations placed upon him from an early age. Or maybe, just maybe, Andy was never quite that good to begin with.
Talking about being way ahead of everyone else, it was here less than a year ago that I wrote about the fees charged to play tennis on the public courts in New York City. Just this week a report was issued that showed that tennis participation was down in the city, and it was attributed directly to the charging of the fees and the increase in fees. As I predicted and stated, tennis players would be chased from trying or playing the game. Imagine what would happen in NYC if they charged to play basketball on every public court.
I can only blame the United States Tennis Association (USTA) this time. With the commitment it has publicly stated to bring about more grassroots tennis and bring tennis to more people, you would think that NYC with its population and its relationship to the U.S. Open would be prime on their agenda. The USTA has missed the possibility to offset the costs for the players in the city and bring more inner city youth into the game.
I don't understand why they didn't pay more attention to this. Maybe it's the fact that the fees charged to play tennis in the city are well below that of most private clubs where the USTA directors play. If it doesn't cost thousands, I guess then it's okay. Shame on you, USTA. Shame on you, USTA Eastern Section. You let the number of tennis clubs in and around NYC dwindle to almost nothing, you let the historic Harlem Tennis Center nearly disappear, and now you are letting the future of tennis get away, all without batting an eye. It's time you guys finally sat down and rolled up your sleeves. If you can't make tennis accessible in New York, you certainly can't do it elsewhere.
So Andy, USTA, and New York City, once again, I told you so. Don't make me ever say it again...