Wimbledon - Ivanisevic: Roddick can win at SW19

Eurosport - Tue, 04 Aug 15:54:00 2009

Goran Ivanisevic thinks it could take three years for Andy Roddick to recover from his Wimbledon disappointment, but he believes the American can still win the title.

TENNIS 2009 Wimbledon Roddick - 0

Roddick will play his first competitive match since his heartbreaking 16-14 final-set defeat to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final when he meets either Robby Ginepri or Benjamin Becker at ATP Washington on Wednesday.

And Ivanisevic claims he knows better than than anyone how the American feels, comparing Roddick's defeat to his own 1998 final loss to Pete Sampras after almost going two sets up.

"Losing that final was the worst feeling I ever had on a tennis court," said the Croatian.

"I had two set points against Sampras for two-sets-to-love, and there was a shaky line-call. If we had Hawk-Eye back then I could have been leading by two-sets-to-love and that would have been so different.

"It took me three years to recover. I only recovered when I won it in 2001. I am floating on a boat enjoying myself now on vacation. If I had not won in 2001 I might have been underneath the boat instead."

The Croatian, who will return to London to play in The Masters tournament this December, watched every ball of the Wimbledon final this year and felt Roddick's pain.

"It was exactly the same for Roddick against Federer as it was for me against Sampras," he said.

"This year's final was the best match I have ever seen Roddick play. He served so well, he played so well and if he had made that backhand volley in the second set tie-break, who knows what would have happened.

"He had 6-5 in that tie-break, and then he missed that backhand volley. He's going to dream about that shot every night until the day that he wins the title.

"He is a good player and he can still win Wimbledon - if I could do it, so can he. When I arrived at Wimbledon in 2001 I was 29 and just happy to have a wild card. I always thought, even then, that I had a chance with my serve, with my game, and look what happened.

"He is younger than I was, he still has some years left, but it could take him three years to recover from that backhand volley. Maybe two years because unlike me he had already won a Grand Slam title. But he can still do it."

Eurosport

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  1. Don't get me wrong, but I pretty much think Roddick­ is done for. Sadly. He was supposed to be a threat­ after Wimbledon and look at his results. Lost to tennis­ noob Isner in the 3rd round of the US Open. Ivanisevic­ could very much be right about Roddick not winning much­ in the next 2-3 years. At 30 it could be too late, tho.­ To be honest, the only chance he's gonna win any­ Slam is Federer being knocked out in the earlier stages­ (can't see that happening too soon, 22 consecutive­ GS SF and 18 out of the last 19 finals, I beg your­ pardon).

    From dandelionmancipar, on Tue 10 Nov 1:32AM

  2. He lost he is not making the most of his chances­ against Nadal or Federrer.

    From iancampbell11, on Tue 11 Aug 11:24PM

  3. But he didn't

    From David, on Sun 9 Aug 9:08AM

  4. The change to the courts (making them slower) came in­ 2001 before Fed's period of supremacy even started

    From rhymes450, on Wed 5 Aug 3:36PM

  5. I,m afraid the tide may be on the way out for Roddick!­ It was always a pleasure to watch him play. Great heart­ and ability, but sadly that's not always enough. He­ can still give years of pleasure and do well but Sw19 I­ don't think so. Dasly but "cest la vie".

    From alpagten, on Wed 5 Aug 10:22AM

  6. The courts on Wimbledon have completely changed. They­ bounce much, much higher than the era of Pete Samprass.­ This can clearly been seen by Federrers waning­ supremacy. If they played on old school courts,­ Federrer would destroy Roddick everytime, as he did in­ his first two Wimbledon wins.

    From nabil_anwer, on Wed 5 Aug 3:15AM

  7. I really do not think that Goran Ivanisecic has got any­ chance of winning Wimbledon again. Surely he is to old­ now, what do you think Igor K my new best friend ?

    From sanchez.santos, on Wed 5 Aug 12:32AM

  8. he used to just be a machine programmed to serve, but­ havin learnt how to play tennis, this guy is a serious­ grandslam contender.
    above Djokovic in the­ 'danger' list imo

    From moggie2727, on Tue 4 Aug 7:28PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    AJ Are you having afair with Roddick?

    From attaha, on Tue 4 Aug 5:53PM

  10. Andy Roddick will win the us open again for sure and­ also has a very good chance of winning wimbledon.Good­ luck Andy just love you.

    From AJ, on Tue 4 Aug 5:36PM

  11. I am sure Goran has many ways to believe what he is­ saying now but I pary to God that the tenure mentioned­ by Goran for Roddick to win the Wimbledon GS is less­ than that. Roddick is too good as a player but he lacks­ patience and calmness. Though the way he played on­ Wimbldon'09 is extraordinary. I hope he carries the­ same form and speed near future.

    Good luck ahead­ Roddick.

    From dinesh.chhetry, on Tue 4 Aug 5:16PM

  12. Three years! What's Goran talking about? Even­ Hewitt who had a (physical) thigh injury has recovered­ within a year. Sure, Roddick is a hard nut who knows­ that he should not be psychologically bugged down by a­ semi final defeat - it's not like he's never­ been there before.

    From asefras, on Tue 4 Aug 3:01PM

  13. totally agree, he has improved and is a contender for­ the main titles, he looks in better shape then he has­ aver done.

    From ajpbolton, on Tue 4 Aug 2:49PM

  14. It is great to read the comments of Goran on this­ issue. Many experts still think Roddick is a Grand Slam­ contender which is fantastic for the game of­ tennis.
    Vasos Pavlika

    From pavlikv, on Tue 4 Aug 1:19PM

  15. For sure, He improved his game , He played with Federer­ and lost only few points in the end

    From swordtail17, on Tue 4 Aug 12:52PM
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