Category: Great Americans

US OPEN FINALIST CRASH OUT EARLY IN CHINA

The US Open finalists Madison Keys and winner Sloane Stephens crashed out early at the ongoing Wuhan Open in China. Since their feats at Flushing Meadows, it was their first games.


The 17th placed Stephens at the rankings lost to Wang Qiang 6-2, 6-2.

Many expected the US Open champ to do better than the first round even if she did not go far. The 12th placed Keys lost to compatriot VarvaraLepchenko 6-2, 7-6 (4). The last time finalists at a major lost their next game was back in 2005 when Venus Williams defeat Lindsay Davenport.

“I wasn’t moving that great, just was a tough day for me,” Stephens said after the loss. Wang thoroughly rounded her as she won on her sixth match point.

Keys fought harder, breaking early in the second set but Lepchenko recovered early to win. Read more »

REMEMBERING US TENNIS STAR ANDY RODDICK

The top American tennis star Andy Roddick was recently inducted into the International Hall of Fame barely after five years into retirement – which is the minimum time required to be inducted.


That is how big the US star was.

He won the 2003 US Open event as a 21-year old tennis professional. His big serves were his biggest weapon in his 12-year career. He is the last American male tennis star to reach World No 1back in 2003, so his achievements for country are no small joke.

After the 2003 Grand Slam win, he never quite lifted another till he left the game. He reached the finals of four more majors and even won 32 ATP titles but all majors eluded him. The retired star was consistently ranked in the Top 10 for nine years but no major till he walked.

The 34-year old holds the record for last American male to lift a Grand Slam in the singles category. While the Williams sisters have dominated the women’s category for the last decade and half, the same cannot be said of their male counterparts. Read more »

RODDICK TO PLAY HENMAN IN GREENBRIER SHOWCASE

Former tennis star Andy Roddick is set to appear at the Greenbrier Tennis Showcase in June.


The former US Open star is to replace Pete Sampras in the exhibition match against British star Tim Henman. Sampras would not be appearing at the event as he is reportedly injured – an injury that would stop him from his preparations.

“Unfortunately, due to an injury, I will not be able to properly prepare for the upcoming Greenbrier Tennis Showcase in June and will have to withdraw. I want to thank Andy for stepping up in my absence. I am sure that Andy and Tim will put on a competitive and entertaining match for fans,” a statement from Sampras reads.

Roddick confirmed that he would participate at the event in Sampras’ place.

“I’m thrilled to be coming back to The Greenbrier. I’ve enjoyed every trip I’ve made to the beautiful resort, and I look forward to another challenging match againsta fantastic opponent in Tim Henman,” he said. Read more »

RODDICK – SERENA IS GOAT

Former world number one Andy Roddick has heaped praises on Serena Williams, regarding her as one of the greatest athlete of all time.


Roddick compared the American tennis star to the likes of boxing legend Muhammad Ali and Basketball retired star Michael Jordan.

Serena breezed to the finals of the 2017 Australian Open, defeating her sister 6-4, 6-4 to lift the title for the seventh time – a record time in the Grand Slam tournament. Her victory helped her move past Steffi Graf for the most Grand Slam titles in the open era.

The 35-year old relentless star overtook former world number one Angelique Kerber as she sailed to her 23rd Slam. She is just one shy of equalling Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam record – the most titles by a single player in the history of the sport.

“It’s amazing. I’ve known Serena since we were 8 or 9 years old. To see her go from the girl I used to practise next to all the time to become this icon – and not just one of the greatest women athletes of all time, but one of the greatest athlete of all time, it’s amazing,” Roddick said in his interview with ESPN. Read more »

RODDICK COMMENTS ON HIS GREATEST OF ALL TIME STATUS

Back in his day, former tennis player Andy Roddick was a remarkable tennis player as his numerous wins secured him a spot in the history of tennis.


Ever since his retirement, the former star has proceeded to become an enthusiast in the history of the sport as he follows all the recent happenings with close interest.

Roddick remains to this very day, the last American player to emerge as a winner of a singles grand slam title, the retiree made a much-anticipated return to Forest Hills back in August 9, the city in which he achieved the greatest triumph of his career. He returned to participate in the world team tennis tournament for Patrick McEnroe, former Davis Cup ex captain.

When asked about the current state of the sport he loved, Roddick had quite a lot to say. Regarding Novak Djokovic’s place in history, he said the 34-year old’s record of 17 grand slam titles simply goes to record him as the greatest of all time. However, that statement is fluid seeing as Andy Murray has recently unseated Djokovic in the just concluded 2016 season. Read more »

Nick Kyrgios is another Andy Roddick

It’s not totally disagreeable when people say Nick Kyrgios is another Andy Roddick. You can notice resemblance.


The hot tempered attitude of the Aussie and also, his talent, both resemble with the tall American.

And that is why one would think that having been a sort of uncontrolled talent himself in his young days, Roddick would be the first one to understand someone like Kyrgios and defend his ways.

But, the 33-year old has actually slammed Kyrgios for reacting bizarrely to the media questions recently in England.

Roddick believes when players cross the line in terms of their language and that too while speaking to the match officials, they can’t expect that they wouldn’t be questioned about it when they face the reporters at the end of the day.

Roddick says he himself was someone who would cross the line in some of the matches, but, after such matches, he was prepared for the questions. He never walked to the conference room thinking nobody would be picking him up on it and seeking an answer. It’s within the rights of the reporters to ask the questions. The players can’t be pissing off.

Recently, during Wimbledon, Kyrgios rudely disagreed to the chief match official regarding one of his decisions and cursed him too and later when he was asked about it, he reacted as if it was not such a big thing and opined that each and every person in the world curse. Read more »