Ankle fells Roddick
PARIS – As it is, the French Open is the cruelest Grand Slam tournament for Andy Roddick, the toughest for all U.S. men over the years. Toss in a bum ankle, and Roddick never really stood a chance this time.
He quit Tuesday because of his injury while trailing Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 7-5, 1-0 in the first round at Roland Garros, and the fifth-seeded American hobbled off the court to a chorus of full-throated boos and whistles.
His exit, combined with that of No. 17 Robby Ginepri, left the United States with two men in the second round at the French Open for just the second time since 1967. It also happened two years ago; in 2005, a trio of Americans made it that far.
“It’s like ‘Groundhog Day,’ ” Roddick said. “Whatever I said last year, just copy it. Whatever I said last year, I’m sure it still fits.”
For the record, Roddick’s assessment in 2005: “We all have a lot of pride, and it has gotten taken down a lot in the last couple of years here.”
Unlike the hardcourts at the U.S. Open – which he won in 2003 – or the grass at Wimbledon – where he’s been the runner-up twice – the red clay at the French Open hampers rather than helps Roddick’s strengths: his serve and forehand.
Clay also makes for longer points and requires plenty of good footwork, and Roddick sprained ligaments in his left ankle last week. He tweaked it in the eighth game against Martin, who is ranked 68th, had lost his previous five matches at majors, and entered 0-4 vs. Roddick.
The ankle got worse when Roddick tried to cut back for a lob in the second set’s 11th game, which he closed with a double-fault to fall behind 6-5.
“I was definitely tentative sliding around out there,” Roddick said. “It started affecting the way I landed on my serve. You know, not much else was working besides my serve. It was a lost cause, I think.”
He double-faulted twice starting the third set, and cursed loudly. He also hit a ball into the 20th row of the stands. After losing the game at love on a forehand that sailed 5 feet long, Roddick sat in his sideline chair. He removed his left shoe, sock and ankle brace, and called for a trainer.
“What do you think?” Roddick asked. “Do you think it’s dangerous?”
He decided to stop, the chair umpire informed the crowd, and Roddick walked off Court Suzanne Lenglen to a nasty serenade, his career mark at the French Open 4-6, including three first-round departures.
“I don’t like that the crowd boos a player. I wouldn’t like it to happen to me,” Martin said. “We’re professionals here. We come to do our jobs. We try to do our best. It’s a bit sad that people boo when you’re just doing your job.”
Consider this: No. 25 Gael Monfils was jeered for giving the chair umpire a hard time during his 6-4, 6-7 (2), 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 comeback victory over fellow 19-year-old Andy Murray – and Monfils is French.
“You know you’re acting up a little bit, when your own crowd is booing you,” Murray said.
Martina Hingis knows quite well how unforgiving the French Open fans can be. She sobbed after being harangued for disputing calls during her infamous loss to Steffi Graf in the 1999 final.
When Hingis stepped out for her first Roland Garros match since 2001, what few spectators were in attendance warmly applauded.
One unfurled a banner reading: “You are our princess. Thanks for your return.”
Hingis dispatched Lisa Raymond 6-2, 6-2, then scoffed when asked about this being the only Grand Slam event she hasn’t won.
“So what?” she asked. “There are many players out there who never won anything.”
The 25-year-old Hingis went into retirement for three years because of foot and ankle injuries, but she’s already established herself as a contender for a major title since returning to the circuit in January.
“Today I would probably beat the Martina back then,” Hingis said. “I have weapons today – the brains and everything, experience and more mature.”
Two seeded players in her half of the draw were sent home: No. 3 Nadia Petrova, twice a semifinalist in Paris, was upset 6-2, 6-2 by Akiko Morigami of Japan, and No. 23 Tatiana Golovin also lost.
Otherwise, form held, with two-time champion Justine Henin-Hardenne and 2004 champion Anastasia Myskina winning in straight sets.
Most of the seeded men fared OK, too, including the one with the roughest assignment: No. 9 Fernando Gonzalez, who beat two-time major champion Marat Safin 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. Safin was fined for not attending the postmatch news conference.
The men’s seeded losers were No. 18 Thomas Johansson, Roddick and Ginepri, a semifinalist at the 2005 U.S. Open.
Left among U.S. men? No. 8 James Blake (who faces clay-court expert Nicolas Almagro) and Kevin Kim (vs. defending champion Rafael Nadal).