“I am not playing Davis Cup this year, (but) I am not retiring from Davis Cup,” Roddick said on Friday. “I am not going to be one of those guys who plays when it is convenient, when it is close to home and on a good surface for them.”
Difficult decision for Roddick
Roddick says it was a rather difficult decision to pull out of the Davis Cup team but he had to withdraw as he felt his body wasn’t prepared to fight it out there.
“In Davis Cup my view is that you decide at the beginning of the year whether you are going to go through everything or not,” he said. “Sometimes you have to listen to your body and do what is smart even though it is not an easy decision in the short term.”
The coach of United States team, Patrick McEnroe, has accepted Roddick’s decision to stay out of the Davis Cup this year.
"We'll re-evaluate for next year," Roddick said. "We're open and honest and the lines of communications were never hazy. He's been great through the whole process."
The United States have a great history of success at the Davis Cup; they have lifted the trophy a record 32 times. However, Roddick’s decision to not play the Davis Cup for U.S. may have disappointed his team, as reports of James Blake’s probable absence from the team also were recently circulated.
Going good in Brisbane
Roddick is currently playing at the Brisbane International and advancing well there.
Ahead of the year’s first Grand-Slam, the American said that his knee, which was injured last year in Shanghai, is now “fine” but his trainers have advised him not to switch court surfaces rapidly to avoid any further knee problems.
However, while in Brisbane, Roddick looks in good form. Friday night he ousted Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3 7-6 (7-5) to set up a clash with fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych. The top-seeded Roddick fired 16 aces, with just one double fault and facing not a single break point, showing that the troubled knee, which held him back in 2009, is not going to hinder his game.
Not showing any signs of restriction in Brisbane, Roddick is also set to play a men's doubles semi-final with compatriot James Blake on Saturday.
The victories should bolster his confidence ahead of the Australian Open, the year's first grand slam.
"I wanted to come here and play well, get better with each match and get matches in - the goal is to be prepared for Melbourne," Roddick said. "And I feel I like that has been accomplished for the most part."
Post new comment