Where better to begin talking some tennis than with the US Open?! For the next two weeks, the summer's "Greatest Road Trip in Sports" concludes in Flushing Meadows where tennis pros give it their all for the biggest paycheck of the year, the shiniest trophy to display in their showcases, and for the chance to show spectators the thrills and nerves that fill their bodies as they whack that little, yellow ball about the court. Ah, gotta love it!
So, let's rewind back to Tuesday night - 9:00 pm, Centre Court, under the lights. It was something special indeed - Andy Roddick versus Justin Gimelstob. Roddick was the obvious favorite to win (and as you will see, my personal favorite, too!). Both players put their heart and souls into the match, muttering to their coaches from the corner during a towel break or yelling at themselves when they missed an easy shot. Pretty typical for any US Open match - the electric atmosphere forces you to do it.
However, beyond the forehands and volley smashes, Gimelstob had something else looming on his mind that Roddick did not - this would be his last appearance at the US Open. After years of back problems, Gimelstob decided that he will hang up his racket this year and move into the commentator's booth for The Tennis Channel. And while he did bow out as the loser of the All-American match up, he bowed out with wit, heart, and most notably, humor...
So, let's rewind back to Tuesday night - 9:00 pm, Centre Court, under the lights. It was something special indeed - Andy Roddick versus Justin Gimelstob. Roddick was the obvious favorite to win (and as you will see, my personal favorite, too!). Both players put their heart and souls into the match, muttering to their coaches from the corner during a towel break or yelling at themselves when they missed an easy shot. Pretty typical for any US Open match - the electric atmosphere forces you to do it.
However, beyond the forehands and volley smashes, Gimelstob had something else looming on his mind that Roddick did not - this would be his last appearance at the US Open. After years of back problems, Gimelstob decided that he will hang up his racket this year and move into the commentator's booth for The Tennis Channel. And while he did bow out as the loser of the All-American match up, he bowed out with wit, heart, and most notably, humor...
Roddick and Gimelstob have befriended each other since Roddick went pro seven years ago. However, their history stems all the way back to when Roddick wasn't even a pro. In the post-match interview in the press room (which was more like a conversation between two frat brothers - who is a good kisser?!), Roddick flashes back to when he was nine years old, visiting a small tournament in New Jersey. He went up to Gimelstob to say hello, but all Gimelstob muttered to Roddick was, "Do you want an autograph, kid?" Gimelstob claims that he has matured since then. Maybe he has matured a little, but times have definitely not changed, as evident in Gimelstob's humorous send off (watch it HERE).
Gimelstob's interview, as you can see, was smart and witty and surely captured the hearts of everyone in that stadium that night. What caught my attention, though, was the moment when the mic was handed to Gimelstob to begin his commentating and interviewing duties. His first interviewee? Roddick. Awkward?
Gimelstob's interview, as you can see, was smart and witty and surely captured the hearts of everyone in that stadium that night. What caught my attention, though, was the moment when the mic was handed to Gimelstob to begin his commentating and interviewing duties. His first interviewee? Roddick. Awkward?
"Yes," according to Roddick. Roddick's game was notably off throughout the match. It could have been his strokes or it could have been the friendly history of the two. However, I give Roddick props for being classy enough to ensure that the night was focused on his friend and not his own only-average performance. Roddick didn't complain or hang his head in the frustration that I knew he was feeling after winning the match. He instead gave positive props to Gimelstob and announced that he would indeed miss him on the tour.
After answering only a few questions, I liked how Roddick then decided to steal the mic and take his shot at interviewing Gimelstob. Rather than talking about the match, though, the interview was focused on Gimelstob's career - a career that never got him into the Top 50 or won him title, something Roddick has already done multiple times.
Even the post-match interview in the press room (posted above) focused on Gimelstob - and Roddick did not seem to mind. Kind of ironic, I think, because Roddick is obviously the person the media should be focused on - he is the one American in the running to win the event, not Gimelstob.
So what did I realize here? A professional tennis career doesn't last forever. In fact, it doesn't even last for a long time. The daily struggles to stay fit and keep up with the changing patterns of the game definitely take a toll on an athlete's body. Gimelstob is only 31. The last time I checked, this was kind of young to be retiring. Tim Henman from Great Britain is also retiring this year at the age of 33, plagued by even more injuries than Gimelstob.
After answering only a few questions, I liked how Roddick then decided to steal the mic and take his shot at interviewing Gimelstob. Rather than talking about the match, though, the interview was focused on Gimelstob's career - a career that never got him into the Top 50 or won him title, something Roddick has already done multiple times.
Even the post-match interview in the press room (posted above) focused on Gimelstob - and Roddick did not seem to mind. Kind of ironic, I think, because Roddick is obviously the person the media should be focused on - he is the one American in the running to win the event, not Gimelstob.
So what did I realize here? A professional tennis career doesn't last forever. In fact, it doesn't even last for a long time. The daily struggles to stay fit and keep up with the changing patterns of the game definitely take a toll on an athlete's body. Gimelstob is only 31. The last time I checked, this was kind of young to be retiring. Tim Henman from Great Britain is also retiring this year at the age of 33, plagued by even more injuries than Gimelstob.
In the end, I think that Roddick suddenly realized that he, too, might find himself in Gimelstob's shoes, as Roddick's clock is obviously ticking. At the age of 25, it is safe to say that the American has already reached his "peak" in 2003 with a US Open title and year-end ranking at Number 1. Each day is only getting tougher for him, as Roger Federer is disabling him from making another Grand Slam run and a string of young players are moving up in the rankings.
So, while Roddick did win the match and is moving on in the tournament, I think this was a tiny wake up call for him. Tennis is one of the most strenuous sports out there and Gimelstob reminded us. All of these athletes (whether title-holders or not) deserve much credit for keeping up with the evolving game and battling out on the court each day. And, when their time comes to hang up the racket, they deserve a proper send-off - whether it is a brief wave to the crowd before stepping into the locker room, kissing the ground, or acting like a fraternity brother in the middle of a Grand Slam stadium. Gimelstob chose all of the above and can move on from his career with nothing to be ashamed of. The only thing to maybe be ashamed of is that he once avoided a little boy named Andy Roddick.
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