The net was about as friendly to him as to a fish. And if you could start by returning the serve, the job was as good as half done.
Andy Roddick had one Grand Slam, some weaknesses, many critics. He was beaten by Federer in all those Wimbledon finals (only two, you say?), was beaten by Luxembourg's gift to the tennis world, Gilles Muller, as defending champion at the 2004 US, was beaten by really anyone on the slippery clay.
Winners go around gathering fans, but for me, all those wins that have kept him in the world top ten for six years, have made him the star that he obviously is in America, never registered.
Of course, every win was followed by a smug look to anyone who dared criticise him in my presence; but it was the long, searing, heart-wrenching, pull-you-hair-out losses, the suffering, that lost puppy look on his face, that made me fall hopelessly in love.
I diligently joined fan clubs on websites, tried to keep a tab on gossip about him, defended his obvious flaws, his evident lack of belief against Federer. Now I've declared to anyone who bothered that I'll turn non-vegetarian if he won another Slam, and wipe that grin off, thank you.
The twitchiness just before serving, his utter inability to sit down at changeovers, that awkward smile, those hilarious comments, the clowning around, the absolute heart he puts in his game..from the time I saw him play that impossible 21-19 fifth-set quarter-final against El Aynaoui, I've been smitten.
As I sit right now, watching him beat Lopez in Paris, easily, I don't know what has made me write this.
Hehe..I'm going to regret this post when I wake up saner, but what the heck, go Andy! :)
Andy Roddick had one Grand Slam, some weaknesses, many critics. He was beaten by Federer in all those Wimbledon finals (only two, you say?), was beaten by Luxembourg's gift to the tennis world, Gilles Muller, as defending champion at the 2004 US, was beaten by really anyone on the slippery clay.
Winners go around gathering fans, but for me, all those wins that have kept him in the world top ten for six years, have made him the star that he obviously is in America, never registered.
Of course, every win was followed by a smug look to anyone who dared criticise him in my presence; but it was the long, searing, heart-wrenching, pull-you-hair-out losses, the suffering, that lost puppy look on his face, that made me fall hopelessly in love.
I diligently joined fan clubs on websites, tried to keep a tab on gossip about him, defended his obvious flaws, his evident lack of belief against Federer. Now I've declared to anyone who bothered that I'll turn non-vegetarian if he won another Slam, and wipe that grin off, thank you.
The twitchiness just before serving, his utter inability to sit down at changeovers, that awkward smile, those hilarious comments, the clowning around, the absolute heart he puts in his game..from the time I saw him play that impossible 21-19 fifth-set quarter-final against El Aynaoui, I've been smitten.
As I sit right now, watching him beat Lopez in Paris, easily, I don't know what has made me write this.
Hehe..I'm going to regret this post when I wake up saner, but what the heck, go Andy! :)
2 comments:
Finally! It took two whole posts before you started on this :P maybe you're going about this the wrong way... maybe he will win a Slam AFTER you turn non-veg! hey it can't hurt to try :P
hehe..it actually took being drunk on his fine victory over lopez :P umm..you think so? okay..here's the deal..if he wins a Tournament before the aussie, i'll try it :P
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