Get Smart: Roddick Got it Right by Hiring Connors

As a national sports columnist, I get paid to call things as I see them no matter what the sporting event I may be covering at the time. Having said that, I have had to rip a lot of athletes over the years for a multitude of infractions, both on the playing field and off. On the other hand, I also like to take the time to give credit where credit is due whenever the situation warrants. 

At any rate, I have to say that U.S. professional tennis player, Andy Roddick, the world’s number one player at one time, may have just pulled off the best move of his career, which, at this point, would have to be described as “uninspiring.”
Two weeks ago, Roddick hired Hall of Fame tennis legend, Jimmy Connors, to become his personal coach and help him get back to playing at the elite level Roddick last displayed nearly three years ago. 

Now, before I go any further, let me say that it is obvious to anyone who knows tennis that the majority of Roddick’s problems reside between his ears. 

Roddick is young, and athletic and possesses a powerful serve that can be absolutely overpowering at times, and has been clocked at 155 mph, a record, which may never be broken - which makes the mediocrity he has achieved the past few seasons, all the more perplexing. 

The questions are legitimate too. A few years ago, Roddick was being hailed as, not only the next great American men’s tennis player, but the next great player in professional tennis - worldwide.
Roddick, currently ranked number 10 in the world, turned pro in 2000 and promptly went on to become the youngest player ever to end the year in the ATP Top 20 in 2001. By 2003, at age 21, Roddick was ranked No. 1 and became the first American player to finish a year at No. 1 since Andre Agassi in 1999. 

Although it took Roddick longer than expected to win his first Grand Slam title, he finally made the breakthrough in 2003 when he won the U.S. Open by beating Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets (6-3 7-6 6-3).