This is Roddick’s post-match interview after his loss to Roger in Australian Open Semis. Roddick was so depressed after this match… and the journalists were laughing at him during the interview. You have to feel sorry for Andy. But, he came up with very good answers. One of the best post-match presses. Roddick was given a standing ovation after this press.
In a rematch of last year’s final, Roddick faces Federer in the quarters. I think Roddick is still haunted by THAT annihilating loss at the AO this year. Funny that the journalists pressed him to reflect on that match… and, Andy tried to avoid even thinking about that match.
Excerpt from the last night’s press conference:
About the AO match…
Q. Eight months have passed now. Can you reflect back on Australia and just talk about what you think happened in that match. Going in there you were playing outstanding.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I was playing well. Pretty even up till 4-All. He got on a hot streak, was able to kind of reel off some breaks. Once Roger gets momentum, it’s tough to play catch up. Just got away from me.Q. When he gets open a roll like that, now that the Australian Open is over, have you thought what you can do when he starts playing like that?
ANDY RODDICK: The Australian Open is in the past. It’s in the past. I mean, it’s eight months ago. If you want me to sit here and go through it. You guys can go through it. It only took about 45 minutes. You guys got that much time. You can go back and look at it if you need some retrospect.
I loved this question. Roger’s common strategy aginst Andy is to draw him into the net and hit passing shots at will. Andy seemed to know about it. But, still…
Q. Your net game has become an important part of your game. Against Roger it seems like sometimes he’s drawing you in when he wants you to come in rather than you coming in on your own terms.
ANDY RODDICK: Okay.Q. Can you talk about that, because obviously it’s not like you’re going to play him completely from the baseline.
ANDY RODDICK: What do you want me to talk about? I agree with what you said.Q. Just talk about your approach to that.
ANDY RODDICK: I think a big thing against Roger’s making sure you get something on your approach shot. If he’s set, he’s going to take a swing at it and he’s going to hit it more often than not. Even if he is bringing you in you got to make sure you get some stick on your approaches. I think that’s an important factor.Q. Is coming in to the net getting more instinctive for you?
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah. I think the more you do something, the better you get at it. I’m a lot better at it than I was a couple years ago. So maybe.
Full interview at…
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2007-09-03/200709031188862954531.html
