American Andy Roddick has long been considered one of the more colorful interviewees on the tennis circuit.
Even for those of us who are usually spending our time pondering whether or not Green Bay will meet New England in next year’s Super Bowl, Roddick’s blunt, obvious answers to whatever questions come his way are entertainment for all.
His witty, yet sometimes combative responses cause reporters to simultaneously wonder why they even asked such a question, yet wanting to hear more in the faint hope he'll see things their way and give the answer they want.
This year’s U.S. Open was no exception as the 29-year-old kept the press room entertained with his usual unintentionally comedic exchanges. Here are some of the better ones:
After Nadal downed him in straight sets:
Q: Were you able to have fun at all today?
Andy Roddick: I didn’t have a lot of fun today, no. But it’s early (Laughter.)
After he beat fifth-seeded Ferrer on the very small Court 13:
Q: There were photographs, you know, close to the court. There was a guy on the fence, a baby crying. It was bizarre conditions.
Andy Roddick: At least there wasn’t a baby crying on the fence. [Laughter.]
Q: Isn’t that the mark of a champion athlete, accepting what’s there and not worrying about the little things and just playing the game?
Andy Roddick: That’s what I hear. [Laughter.]
Q: The NFL is back after its work stoppage, even though it didn’t miss regular season games. What’s your pick for the Super Bowl and why?
Andy Roddick: Jeez, I love preseason Super Bowl picks. [Laughter.] Pack/Patriots.
After his third round, straight sets win over Julien Benneteau:
Q: You’ve always been an exceptional baseline player. What has changed now that makes you become more aggressive and really attack the net?
Andy Roddick: Woke up on the right side of the bed this morning, I guess. I don’t know. The way my game is evaluated changes daily, so I guess I’m master net player today.
Q: As many matches as you’ve played in Ashe, have you figured out certain conditions there that could be to your advantage?
Andy Roddick: Yes, yes, there’s definitely things that are always the same out there and things that appear to be one way and they are definitely the other way. I would sit here and go through them all, but that would pretty much waste all of the experience that you are asking me about right now.
Q: Can I ask you this?
Andy Roddick: You can ask me anything you want.
Q: Seemed to be a southwest wind. Is it the same breeze on the court? Are you waiting for the next player to come in who doesn’t know something?
Andy Roddick: I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the flag [smiling.]
After opening round victory over fellow American Michael Russell:
Q: So you think to loosen up players should be able to show their feelings, the fans would connect, and it would be more popular?
Andy Roddick: Let’s put it this way: McEnroe is still getting endorsements and he’s 87 years old, so—I mean, what does that tell you? Love it or hate it, but watch it.
Q: Jack Sock, a teenager from Nebraska, have we heard this storyline before?
Andy Roddick: Yeah, it’s certainly not a challenging story for you guys to write.
Q: You had two young American girls winning today, and Jack Sock. Is this the next generation? Is the dearth of American tennis on a resurgence?
Andy Roddick: I hope so. Save me a lot of time.
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Actually more time is what writers hope for when an always quotable star has the podium, because whether you’re a tennis writer wanting an angle on a story or an NFL guru curious of the tennis star’s predictions Roddick has a way of making your day when he sees things your way, or sides with your picks.
