Andy Roddick: Outspoken Player Will Silence Critics

There are interesting things we could be discussing related to Andy Roddick these days: the questionable Mohawk he brought with him to the Kooyong Classic last week; his public advocacy for more player rights on the ATP Tour, a growing story within the tennis community.

But as is always the case with Roddick, the conversation generally turns to the sharp-tongued responses he gives to journalists who ask questions he doesn't approve of, or the fact that he's only won one Grand Slam title in his career.

"Hang it up, Andy," his critics cry. You've long been overrated, overhyped and most importantly, overmatched against the bigger names in tennis.

Never mind the fact that he is the last American man to win a Grand Slam, or currently ranks 10th in career earnings.

Never mind the fact that we often hope athletes will be more honest and forthright in their comments rather than offer bland, cliched answers. Yet when athletes like Roddick speak their mind, he is insulted for doing the very thing fans and journalists claim they want more of.

Is Roddick going to win a Grand Slam title this year?

Probably not. I've already said I feel this could be the year one player—Novak Djokovic—will sweep the Grand Slam events.

And could he do better than last year, where the only tournament he won was Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis?

Absolutely.

Roddick was never the "Great American Hope" in tennis we all thought he might be after reaching the top ranking in the world back in 2003. But he has been the best American male player we've had since the days of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. He had arguably the most exciting and powerful serve in the sport during his prime.

So if it will take a Grand Slam to quiet his critics, well, he probably won't be able to do that.

But if his critics need to see a year with, say, three tournament victories to quell questions about his retirement, I think he's got enough in the tank for that.

At least we would have something new to talk about then.

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