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, really. Toss in a bum ankle, and Roddick never really stood a chance this time.
He quit Tuesday because of his injury while trailing Spaniard Alberto Martin 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.
Roddick’s exit, combined with that of No. 17 Robby Ginepri, left the United States with only 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.”
Unlike the hard courts at the U.S. Open – which he won in 2003 – or the grass at Wimbledon – where he has 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’s 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. He decided to stop, the chair umpire informed the crowd, and Roddick walked off the court to a nasty serenade.
“I don’t like that the crowd boos a player. I wouldn’t like it to happen to me,” Martin said. “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, who went into retirement for three years because of foot and ankle injuries, 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.”
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 lost, too.
