Sunday, August 31 2008 -- Andy Roddick’s injury problem has compelled him out of the French Open. He even had his worst game results at the Wimbledon when he lost to Janko Tipsarevic in the second round. On top of these, he missed out the Olympics to prepare for the Open.

Sadly, his wholehearted preparations for the long awaited game in the American hard-court was short lived when Viktor Troicki won a game over him in Washington. It was unbearable for Roddick and unfortunately dismissed his brother John, as his working coach.

The break-up happened after six months when Roddick and Jimmy Connors split. Andy was running out of people to guide and coach him in the courts. He persuaded US David Cup Captain, Patrick McEnroe, to coach him in the tournament. But McEnroe could only help as much. He was wrapped up with other responsibilities that McEnroe could only do little with Roddick’s coaching problem.

Andy Roddick was the player who has been highly admired by fans and was expected to conquer the world of tennis especially the games played in his native land. He, being a local, champion of the US Open in 2003 and finalist in 2006 bore his countrymen’s anticipation. Though his victory over Ernests Gulbis with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 was lucky enough, his struggle to reach the third round was a blow. People knew that Roddick’s confidence before the game started was not the usual. For Roddick, the mutterings and disapproval glances of the crowd was not helping enough.

With his performance lately, probably Roddick needs more lowly headlines in the morning papers to keep him challenged all the way through. Anyway, he still has the chance to recapture his title of America’s darling if he does it once again.