In Andy’s loss to Roger at the Australian Open, Roddick showed his new and improved fitness and mental toughness. A couple interesting and basic strategic questions arose during the first set loss. Multiple times, Andy would jump a few inches in the air when Fed was striking the ball and by the time Andy’s feet were back on the ground, the ball was a couple of feet from crossing the net. Andy could only watch the sharp angle winner. In addition, during critical points, Roddick would attack the net with routine top spin cross court shots making it almost impossible to set his balance properly as he scrambles to cover the possibility of a down the linepass by Roger. I’ll give Roddick and his coach the benefit of the doubt that this risky approach was intentional based on scouting, but during the next couple sets Andy did not appear to have plan B ready in the event that Roger’s down the line passing shots were on fire.

Andy’s Saturday loss in the SAP Open to Stepanek was also filled with puzzling strategy. While I applaud Andy’s aggressive attacks during critical points, he takes his boldness a step too far. A step toward the center line that is. Andy consistenly split steps to the center after his approach shots seemingly trying to bait his opponent to hit the difficult passing shot over the highest part of the net. Most likely a very successful strategy against lessor opponents, but absolutely ineffective when playing elite players like himself. This positioning error is compounded by his often short high bouncing cross court approach shots.

Andy Roddick will be number one in the world again if he continues with his new fitness rhythm and changes from 80% high risk center net positioning to an aggressive 80% ‘follow the ball’ strategy to take away the line, but also the crown from the reigning king of the ATP.

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