ATP World Tour22/07
Roddick Glad To Have Played With 'Big Four'
Andy Roddick didn't love playing in the shadows of the “Big Four” for much of his career. But the former World No. 1 said on Saturday during his induction speech into the International Tennis Hall of Fame that he now considers himself fortunate to have faced the all-time greats of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
“I can't believe the level of tennis that I got to see in my career. The shots hit, the records that were broken, and the records that continue to be broken. Thanks to Murray, Novak, Roger and Rafa for playing the game at a higher level than it's ever been played,” said Roddick, who was introduced by his long-time trainer Doug Spreen. “It sucked being in your vacuum a lot of times. I still consider myself lucky. I got to guard Jordan, I went the distance with Ali, I pitched to Babe Ruth. I feel like I know what it must have been like to watch Picasso. I saw it all.”
“The 'Big Four' guys really pissed me off most of the time but I'm absolutely proud to have my life and career associated with such quality individuals.”
Roddick, as he was throughout his career, was self-deprecating, witty and funny during his 27-minute speech that concluded the induction ceremony on Stadium Court at the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport. The big-hitter who thrived on quick surfaces joked about his clay-court skills. “That's when I knew I was going to win Roland Garros,” he said to a stadium full of laughter. “I actually wrote, 'Pause for laughter'.”
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He also mocked his overall level. “I've had a lot of coaches, that's what happens when you're not very talented,” said Roddick, who won 32 tour-level titles, including the 2003 US Open and five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns.
But the model for consistency on the ATP World Tour – Roddick finished in the year-end Top 10 for nine consecutive years – was also serious and immensely appreciative, at times becoming emotional when talking about those who couldn't be with him today and about what the prestigious Hall of Fame honour meant to him.
Roddick talked about his late agent, Ken Meyerson, and his late father, Jerry Roddick, and what he would say to his dad, who passed away suddenly on 8 August 2014, if he were around today. “It would have meant the world to me to know that he approved of the way my life turned out. I would have loved hearing it,” Roddick said. “It won't happen but I sit here knowing he would have been proud and satisfied. He wasn't an easy man to satisfy.”
Roddick, who carried the U.S. flag for the duration of his career, concluded with gratitude to his family, friends and tennis fans across the world.
“I'm not the best of all-time. I'm not going to win Wimbledon. I'm not the best of my generation. I'm not the most well-behaved. I'm not the most polished. I'm also never going to take this honour for granted. I'm never going to forget those who paved the way for us. I'm never going to forget the innocent parts of this game that we all love,” Roddick said. “I may not be a lot of things but from this day forward, I'll never be anything less than a Hall of Famer. I thank you from the deepest parts of my heart.”
Li Kochman
