Andy Roddick may figure out the game of professional tennis in time to make me feel like an idiot for writing this article.
As it stands now, he hasn't figured out enough to beat that Roger guy, and he probably never will (again).
Yes, Roddick beat him once in 2004 in Montreal, when Federer was still on his way to being the tennis god he is now.
Federer's 15 wins against Roddick will increase, and no, Roddick is not "due" for a win.
Here's why I think this...
15-Love
Roddick hits hard balls to win points; Federer hits a lot of balls to win matches
Roddick is an amazing athlete. He hits harder than Roger. He has more raw speed and strength than Roger. He is more intense than Roger.
Still, Andy will never beat Roger at anything, ever again. Not even Nintendo Wii Tennis. Not even checkers.
Any tennis fan, or sports fan for that matter, can pick up what I'm laying down here.
Federer knows how to win. Roddick knows how to win. They know how to win in different ways, but when they get together, Federer's way trumps that of Roddick.
Roddick will take the court with his hair on fire, and hopefully stay hot long enough to win. This might work against Kei Nishikori in San Jose, but not against Roger Federer at Wimbledon.
Roddick loses his head a lot easier than Federer.
By now, Federer knows he owns Roddick, so having his serve broken is no big deal in his eyes. When Roddick gets broken, there is an urgency to rebound before things gets out of control.
Federer senses the urgency, so he tests Roddick with steadiness. If steadiness were a core college subject, Roddick would repeat it every semester, only to fail each time.
30-Love
Federer waits. Roddick hates.
Roddick can outclass most tennis players, but mental toughness is not his forte.
Watch the guy in a match, and through the TV screen, you'll feel that spastic energy. It's simply his approach to tennis. He either blows you off the court, or he doesn't.
If he doesn't, leaving him to rely on his mental game, it often does not end well.
In short, if you're one of the fifty or so tour players that can hang with Roddick, you can beat him.
This energy is what kills Roddick in a match against Federer.
When Roddick tears out of the gate with aces and winners, Federer maintains. Federer holds serve until Roddick gives him an opportunity. Believe me, it will happen. It always does.
40-Love
Roddick is hopeful. Federer is certain.
In the 2007 US Open quarters, the American played huge, but Federer simply managed Roddick through a pair of tie-breakers, before walking away with the match in the third set.
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