Andy Roddick: From The Horse's Mouth

What’s up Andy … how is it goin?

Allow me to congratulate you to start with for that incredible performance against Murray earlier today. You executed the strategies we discussed to the T. Quite simply one of the best I have seen you (if not the best) in this one year of our partnership.

You told the press that I have displayed more confidence in your game than many of your previous partnerships, am glad about that trust we have. I know at this point in your career you appreciate getting to the Wimbledon final again, this did not come easy and we know it. I kept a cold beer for you in the refrigerator, kept just one. Enjoy it, don’t forget the massages and ice bath, get good rest and dinner … I’ll meet you at breakfast tomm.

They after tomorrow, it’s a big day.

A day when you would have that unique opportunity to play for the Wimbledon trophy again. I think the sort of form you are in right now, if you both started 0-0 head to head without any history, you would go in with a 50-50 chance against Rodge. But that’s not the case. Hence let’s think about this for a while Andy.

As you said in your ‘tweet’ today, 126 home, 2 left. If you have made it this far you have to back yourself to go for this and it’s my job to help you get there. I know you have tried to play Rodge very differently the previous times you have played him, but unfortunately he has gotten past you in the big stages, sometimes more easily than the other times. You have tried to play in denial, you have played through intense frustration, and sometimes even borderline embarrassment.

But you are playing brilliantly now Andy. Your backhands, returns, the bomb and your net play have been nothing short of brilliant. The 15 pounds lost have certainly come in handy haven’t they? If you can only take care of your serve and make sure not to come in on suicidal approach shots, I think you should be fine.

There is no reason why you should not be. Imagine the same time last year, when you were back in North Carolina with Brooklyn parents watching Federer play Nadal in the final, and how things have changed now in your life, when compared to what it was then.

Have you heard this song by Eminem called ‘Sing for the Moment’? As hard as it is to do, if you can treat these next two days as an isolated event from history, you give yourself a great chance of pulling this off. Because based on current form alone, you have a tremendous chance of winning Federer. If you bring history in however, the probabilities of your success decrease significantly. Just ‘Live for the Moment’ for the next two days, one point, one game … one set and dare I say – one match.

I need you to go in and react how you always react on court. To play like you belong on the court as much as him. I mean, at the end of the day both of you had to win six matches to get there. I need you to show him that you showed up to play, no matter how many times he has defeated you in the past. All the excitement and furor about the 15th slam and Sampras flying in … well, we don’t give a shred less about that. Channelize your energy towards a serene, yet decisive body language on court, display a ravenous hunger for every point like the one you showed on court in the semi. Live in a bubble.

Say hi to Brooklyn for me, and I’ll see you at breakfast tomm (Swiss cheese toast for breakfast?)

Let’s go play some ball …

Sincerely

L.Stef

PS: Happy 4th of July

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