This year should be named as a year of retirement. Many
great players retired from the professional sport they played all throught
their career from Dravid to KP to Laxman to Strauss to Clijster to Roddick.
I have watched all of them play. From KP’s big hitting to
Dravid’s defend, from Roddick’s mimicry to Laxman’s shyness and from Strauss Charisma
to Clijsters simplicity. I have admired them all in whatever little sport I
have seen.
But tonight has been a special night for all who love to
watch this sport. Not just the incredible game we witnessed between Roddick and
lanky Argentinean Del Potro but the kind of respect Delpo has for the opponent
even after winning the game. These are some moments that sometimes makes even
me emotional though I am not even distantly related to Andy.
Delpo refused to take the court to celebrate his victory
when official asked him to do so and asked Roddick to take the Aurthur Ashe
court and enthrall the American crowd one final time. I could see very
emotional Andy Roddick at the end of the match. He was just trying to control
his tears. The way he was playing, he could have continued playing for another
2 – 3 years but then that is his personal decision and that day comes for every
sport person’s life.
When play got suspended yesterday, Andy was leading 1 point
to 0 in tie breaker and when it resumed tonight he got the tie breaker easily
by 7-1. He fought 2nd set very well but Delpo evened out things
after winning the 2nd set in tie breaker in 7-4. But after that Andy
wasn’t playing normal, may be he became emotional and crowd was very charged up
by that time, they were cheering for every point made by Andy. At 4-5 (15-40)
on Delpo’s serve, Roddick’s for hand error ended his 12 years career as a tennis
player and the American star buried his
face in a towel, tears in his eyes as Del Potro and entire Arthur Ashe stadium
crowd saluted him. He gave some moments to laugh inn tensed situations by
imitating some great players, doing some mischievous things on the court.
I still remember 2009 Wimbledon final when he gave tough
times to Roger Federer, the game went on to 5 sets and till 16-14 when sweating
Andy finally has to satisfy for a runner up medal.
Hope he keeps turning up for the matches and keep imitating
others to make us laugh.
Wishing Andy Roddick a happy life ahead!
Good night or rather Good Morning !
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