^fair enough! And I was just winking about the hate part...didn't figure you would, but my mind clouded by antibiotics so forgot the smiley.
Its funny. I don't hate Roddick. As an American I actually cheer for him and especially admire his generally strong committment to Davis Cup.
I think for me it really is kind of wasted talent in some ways. The guy is one of the best tennis players in the world, but he has some really inexplicable meltdowns and losses, especially in Slams. Sure, like Patrick Ewing and others who came up when Michael Jordan and the Bulls were king, Roddick has been cursed to be around tennis at a time when 2 of the greatest players ever are dominating.
True Roddick's interviews are very frank and often funny and I especially like them when he is self-effacing. But sometimes I get the feeling he is just trying to be clever. Yes, he does always credit his opponents [usually] and yes, Fed's post match interviews are a bit less effusive for his foes. Still, Fed's reputation within the tennis community is beyond reproach - he has never won SI's sportsman of the year but he has been nominated many times.
Fed's interview style is very European IMO and also, yes, a bit self-centered, a quality I think is essential for true sporting greatness. Indeed, he does give credit to his opponents when he loses/is beaten, but I think its all a mental game he plays with himself and his peers. The players all know what is said in the interview room.
For so many years Fed simply dominated. Period. His record of consecutive GS Semi appearances will never be duplicated, nor will the record of Singles Slams [Nadal might get close, but perhaps not again on grass or hardcourtt, especially with Fed and now surging Joker and Murray]. A huge part of Fed's invincibility was completely deserved, solely on his on court talents. But also, Fed plays the off court game so well. During his 5+ years of winning everything, pretty much uncontested, most of his opponents were already defeated before they even hit the court.
Part of that comes from the level of self-assurance and confidence Fed reveals during his interviews. He must appear unshakeable in his belief in himself to maintain his edge against the field. Everyone does it - like most things on the tennis court, he just does it better than most.
Yes, last couple of years, there have been cracks in Fed's interview demeanor. But he no longer has anything to prove does he? He is now looking to absolutely cement his place in history beyond a doubt by trying to rack up more Slams and bring the total to a completely unmatchable number.
eh...don't mean to to turn this thread into a personal tennis/Fed fanboy soapbox.
Let's just see some awesome tennis at SW19!
