From International Series, Delray Beach
By Tiffany Osborne
Losing is never easy. It is especially tough to take when you are18 years old, arguably the hottest rising star on the ATP and playing in front of your home crowd. However, its all part of the learing curve Andy Roddick, America's most exciting prospect, is having to experience as he lost 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4 to Jiri Vanek in the opening match of the Citrix Tennis Championships in Delray Beach.
Roddick, so used to blowing opponents off the court with his exciting all court power game, was left frustrated by the swirling gusty wind, reaching 50mph at times, which negated his explosive shot making - the game which makes him such an exciting player to watch.
Both players struggled to find rhythm and consistency but it was Vanek, who's less complicated shot making, prevailed in the near impossible playing conditions. It was a story of lost opportunities for Roddick who had a total of 10 break points only to convert none of them.
Vanek, currently 89th in the ATP Champions Race, crucially broke Roddick in the 7th game of the 3rd set, the 2nd of only 3 break points he had in the whole match. Vanek later admitted that for the first 2 sets he didn't feel anything on his shots except his serve.
"The wind was unbelievable today. It was impossible to hit the ball. It was only in the 3rd set when we had a couple of long rallies to I start to feel the ball," Vanek explained.
As for Roddick, he was left to rue what might have been: "The wind effected everything and I never really found my groove. It was nasty tennis. I didn't go for it when I had my chances. That's what hurts, its disappointing".
However, Roddick, touted as many as a champion in the making, showed remarkable maturity in attempting to adapt to the conditions. Against his natural instincts he tried to be patient, sensibly slicing his backhand crosscourt to Vanek's weaker side.
There is no doubting he is a champion in the making which arguers well for his future and that of Anerican tennis - he's young, talented, good looking with an attitude to match. In a game consistently criticised for lacking personalities, take note. Roddick proved tonight that although he didn't win the match, is he prepared to take on that learning curve. Great news for all tennis.
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