Australian Open: Five Reasons Andy Roddick Can Win His Second Grand Slam Title

Aside from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—the consensus top two players in the world—there has been no mens tennis player more consistent then Andy Roddick.

He has finished in the Top 10 rankings for eight consecutive years and he is one of five men since 2003 to win a Grand Slam.

Every year since his only Grand Slam title, he has remained in the conversation of contenders at the year's top four events.

However, despite glimmers of hope, he has been unable to break through again.

Here are the top five reasons Andy Roddick can still win a Grand Slam.

Renewed Fitness

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Andy Roddick of USA and coach Larry Stefanki look on during previews for the Barclays ATP World Tennis Finals at O2 Arena on November 20, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

In order to win a Grand Slam in the men's game, the ability to withstand a long five-set match is crucial. 

If fitness comes into question at any time during a match, the player will begin to lose the mental battle from point to point.

Since partnering with Larry Stefanki, Andy Roddick has been forced to lose weight in trying to regain his physical frame circa 2003.

He is more fit today than when he captured the US Open.

Health

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Andy Roddick of the USA serves during his first round match against Marinko Matosevic of Australia during day two of the Brisbane International at Queensland Tennis Centre on January 3, 2011 in Brisbane, Australia. (Phot

After a successful start to the 2010 hardcourt season, finishing runner-up at Indian Wells and winning the Sony Ericsson Open, Andy Roddick's season took a nosedive.

He was unable to build on winning the Masters 1000 event in Miami, widely considered one of the top tournaments outside the majors. 

After a poor showing at Wimbledon, Roddick was diagnosed with mononucleosis. He was unable to fully recover for the remaining tournaments and lost in the second round of the US Open.

Now fully recovered, Roddick has returned to the form he showed in early 2010. 

Power Game

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Andy Roddick of the USA hits a serve during a practice session ahead of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Andy Roddick still possesses one of the game's most lethal weapons.

His serve is still his go-to shot. It continues to be effective and strikes fear into his opponents.

With the addition of a spin serve out wide and his ability to change pace, his opponents are guessing more often then not.

Roger Federer is still the only player to have mastered the art of defending Roddick's serve effectively.

Roddick's ability to bully people off the court with his powerful serve and huge forehand still exists. However, he is more and more comfortable constructing long points, mixed in with an overpowering forehand down the line. 

Shot Selection

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24: Andy Roddick of the USA returns a shot during his men's singles match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 24, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Gett

Since splitting with Jimmy Connors and adding Larry Stefanki, Andy Roddick has changed the way he approaches a match. 

His goal is not necessarily to overpower an opponent anymore. Instead he is increasingly comfortable in long points, due to his improved fitness, and he is willing to play a safer shot.

In the past, Roddick would try to end points early by taking risky shots. He would try to hit opponents off the court with his big forehand. 

Roddick has become more patient with his point construction and plays a safer shot, waiting for his opponent to make the mistake. This is a tactic that Andy Murray employs to a similar degree.

He is also increasingly comfortable at the net, adding another element to his game. 

Experience: Lessons Learned From Grand Slam Finals

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 8: US Open men's singles champion Andy Roddick poses for photographers September 8, 2003 at Time Square in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

We all know Andy Roddick has the ability to win at the game's grandest stage. 

Roddick has played in a high number of meaningful matches during his career. He has remained at the top of the game despite being written off many times. 

Roddick has been to five Grand Slam finals: twice at the US Open and three times at Wimbledon.

His lone win came against Juan Carlos Ferrero at the 2003 US Open. In the rest of his Grand Slam finals appearances, he faced his biggest obstacle in Roger Federer. Federer holds a career 20-2 record over Roddick, including four wins in Grand Slam finals.

Roddick gained a lot of fans during his loss at the 2009 Wimbledon, when he nearly toppled Federer in an epic five-set match.

It remains to be seen if he can break through for another Grand Slam. However, in the era of Federer and Rafael Nadal, Roddick has at least remained in the conversation.

I still think his best chance to win again will be at Wimbledon. The grass suits his game and his serve is nearly untouchable sliding off the surface. However, it will come down to a few lucky breaks in the draw and hoping not to be playing opposite Federer. He has a good career record against everyone but Federer, and with a successful run in early tournaments and an improved ranking, he can be a threat at every major.