Andy Roddick offered different sides of himself when he faced fellow American John Isner at 1st Mariner Arena on Tuesday night.
There was the showman who interacted with the fans during Pam Shriver?s PNC Tennis Classic, when he asked a fan who has been heckling him to come on the court and return one of Isner?s 135 mph serves. There was also the highly competitive side of Roddick, who withstood Isner?s powerful serves and offered plenty of winners to earn a 6-4, 6-2 win in the charity event?s featured match.
It?s the latter he hopes emerges when he leads the United State against defending champion Russia in the Davis Cup final in Portland, Ore., from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3. The U.S. hasn?t won the Davis Cup in 12 years, and this will be the first time the country hosted the finals since 1982.
“Normally, we play for completely selfish reasons and completely selfish motives,” Roddick said. “It?s our wins and our tournaments and our schedules when you?re on tour, and with the Davis Cup it?s the exact opposite. It?s a different kind of pressure and one that takes some getting used to. To play for your teammates and your country and everyone but yourself is different.”
A Davis Cup title would add another prestigious championship to the growing list of the 25-year-old?s accomplishments. The native of Omaha, Neb., has won 23 singles titles, including the 2003 U.S. Open and three doubles championships since joining the professional circuit in 2000.
“It?s nice to be a part of a team,” said Roddick, who will be joined by Mike and Bob Bryan and James Blake on the U.S. Davis Cup team. “I really enjoy it and take this responsibility seriously.”
This year has also represented somewhat of a comeback for Roddick, who came to Baltimore as the fifth-ranked player in the world. Roddick slipped as far a 12th in the world rankings last year before hiring his brother, John, and Jimmy Connors, as his coaches. He has remained among the top seven in the world throughout this season.
Shriver said Roddick hiring his brother ? a former four-time All-American at the University of Georgia ? and Connors as coaches was a great move. She added Roddick often gets overlooked today because he plays in the same era as Roger Federer, who is considered as one of the greatest players in the sport?s history. Roddick has defeated Federer once in 15 matches.
“Andy had a small window when he was the top player in the world because he came after Pete Sampras? run and right before Roger Federer went on to become who might be the greatest player of all times” Shriver said. “But that doesn?t mean Roddick still can?t win plenty more championships, and even a Grand Slam, before he?s done.”
