"Sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off.".....
Seldom had a beaten player had less to apologize for than Andy Roddick.
Slumped in his chair after the match, the crowd chanted "Roddick, Roddick, Roddick" until he rose to acknowledge them. While most of the words after Sunday’s epic final at Wimbledon rushed to praise Roger Federer after his history-making victory, the image that took hold came from the other side: the pain etched face of Andy Roddick.
Without the American the grand finale wouldn’t have been possible. With Rafael Nadal pulling out due to injury the record Slam was almost into Fed’s kitty but Roddick had other ideas. He knew what he was up against….He knew everyone had come to watch Federer make history, but he stuck at it until the greatness of the FedEx and a hip flexor injury broke him down.
As much as we love to revel with the victor, none of us knows what it’s like to win 15 Grand Slams but all of us do know what it’s like to have a dream crushed. So the celebration is nice…..but the pain, which even Roddick could not hide with his wisecrack humor, did hit home.
Well done Andy!!!
Very well put, if I may say so..... we would be able to comprehend the pain of Roddick's loss rather that the joy of Federer's victory......
ReplyDeleteAnd all the best for your upcoming stint in Television.... rock on, Big J!