Really? Andy threw a big fat fit? I am surprised. And I mean that in all seriousness. I am in the USA and I read the general sport news related to tennis, watch as many matches as possible which means not many this time of year and I never read a critical word on Andy nor do I hear commentators and the present tournament making mention of bad behavior. But I finally go looking for international coverage and bingo. Andy Roddick does have a fairly quick wit in interviews, a sarcastic one, nearly reminiscent of John McEnroe. It does not surprise me but what is the matter with him? Get a grip Andy. I am one Yankee who, if in the crowd, would not have been behind him. Maybe all that dieting makes him cranky.

I am an American and I'm embarrassed that you referred to Andy R. as an "American." Without speaking too badly of him, I'll just say, I agree with you, " I DON'T GET ANDY RODDICK" either!! He was even rude to Rafa, with the rolling of the eyes. Eeeeer!

Owhh well, I think it's just his character. I think we always tend to forget that Andy is a character that we need in tennis to make it exciting. Controversial players are a norm in any sport(I don't just follow tennis, I watch English football more than tennis actually).

Roddick is an American crowd and media darling. He has a gorgeous gf and he is one of the most marketable tennis players out there. A lot of tennis tournaments is played in US and the US Open offers the highest prize money of the 4 GS with all the bonus thing so there's a lot of interest in tennis from America and it is healthy for the sport.

And he has also lived in the shadows of Roger Fed for so long and it's amazing that he is constantly trying new things which shows his spirit. But sometimes he's emotional because he couldn't fulfill his early promise and since life is not so beautiful from him on the tennis court, I think we should all forgive his antics.

Roddick is an enigma. I have a friend who is exactly like him, unpredictable, and yet he can be lovable to those who understand him. I guess its not for us to judge, although I would say he is a bit of a spoiled brat; in a good way:)

Here is Norm Chryst's opinion about it: ?If they get a call they think is wrong, they get angry. They take it out on whoever happens to be around.? I think Roddick fits to that category perfectly, whether it makes sense or not he just wants to blow some steam off. I also think he likes having some tension on court whether its with umpire, lines people or his opponent.

torres - I don't have a problem with Roddick venting his spleen. My issue is that WHEN he does it makes not a LICK of sense. Why in the world would you bother arguing about a point that you WON? Especially since Shot Spot confirmed that the chair ump was right. I just think it was silly.

He's just a prick.

Sorry cheryl, I just thought that since you put there 'Andy 'Bad Mouth' Roddick', you view his rants as badmouthing. Maybe I misinterpreted your intentions. I guess it is weird but sometimes the players are always annoyed at the chair umpires for disrupting their rhythm.

A tennis player may just want to focus on playing tennis and whenever something deemed irrelevant to the tennis that disrupted their focus, they might just snap. For example, Safin and Hewitt got so mad whenever they got foot-faulted and I saw how angry they were and at the same time funny.

You could also asked them, 'Why get mad when you get foot-faulted and not so mad when you get faulted for failing to put the ball in the service box? The cost from both situation is the same'.

Maybe A-Rod is employing a new strategy. Did somebody tell him to go on and get out there and act like JMAC, might as well, you got nothin' to lose buddy! Rude to Rafa makes absolutely no sense unless he was just trying to throw something in and see if it gave him an edge. But let's see if A-Rod makes a habit of bad behavior or maybe it was a fluke. Arguing with the umpire is perfectly tolerable on occaision, a la Lubicic style in his latest show. And that kind of tension, even the kind Safin brings is good tennis. I like a good racquet tossing melt down once in a while. However, I think it fits certain players and others just look strange throwing a fit. Federer or Nadal throwing a fit would not be rather disturbing! LOL!

Typo again, apologies....meant to say RF or RN throwing a fit is and would be rather disturbing. Out of character, way out

"Maybe all that dieting makes him cranky."

*rolling on the floor laughing*

I think the glaring eyes Andy had DURING the tiebreak were justified. Rafa has cut down his crazy long breaks between games/points, etc. But...everyone knew Rafa took way too long in the tiebreak a 4-2. Now, who was rude??

i just wish that some one would tell him to stop throwing the towel on the ground and just hand it back to the ball kids.i think that andy is so very rude to the ball kids.he just throws the towel back and they have to pick it up off of the ground.in one pic i think against rafa in IW tourny he threw the towel back to the kid and it hit her in the face. just rude..plain rude.

Big mouth carpenter...

I like andy alot, but i dont get that one either. maybe he thought the umpire was bin anal i dunno. but yeah, its weird, but i love him still. hes really funny and really entertaining and he has a great respect for all his opponents. hes actually pretty mature off court, and even on really. he jokes around alot even when hes losing. he might overeact sometimes but i guess thats him and its cool. i mean murray overreatcted to a piece of paper 2day- at least andy is funny when he overreacts!! some things we just wont get... like i still dont really understand why fed doesnt like hawkeye. but oh well, i still luv em.

I agree with you, kaitepai. although I would contend that Andy R was not trying to be funny in the least. It was only funny because of it was such a dumb thing to do. Roddick is very witty in his pressers - I LOVE going to them. It's fun to watch him keep the other journalists on their toes. :D

I think Roddick is hilarious..now I agree that it was a ridiculous thing to do,but somehow when Roddick does it ,it dosent seem all that bad.And I love shis pressers too.He's really outspoken and admittedly very witty.I love the way he reacts when journos ask stupid questions.

What I really don't get is why people suddenly seem surprised about Andy's behavior? It's not like that he's been doing this for the first time!! 9 out of 10 matches of him that I watch,he argues with the umpires for whatever reason.It's nothing new! I remember him way back in Australian Open 2008 against Kohlschreiber when he made fun of the umpire's English as if everybody has to speak English with an American accent (or as if everybody has to speak English for that matter).

Agreed Sister. Roddick has been doing this for sometime, just as much as, say, Safin. I still remember the outbursts he used to get involved in as an upcoming player (USO 2001 against Hewitt, USO 2002 against Chela).

But rudeness to the linespeople and ballkids should not be tolerated. Most of the ballkids especially are children who see their idols on court.

O.K. people, easy on Roddick. Did everyone hear the "F-ck" Andy Murray screamed in the final against Nadal yesterday? Roddick is not the first or only player to vent their frustrations (especially when they are losing.) How about Djkovic calling medical timeouts when he is losing when there is clearly nothing wrong. Or players that argue with the chair umps. Or throw their racquets? There are only two players who would never think of performing any of those antics - RF and RN. They
have more respect for themselves and the game. Besides Uncle Toni would disown rafa.

mercedes I ROFLed at the last sentence :) hilarious.

LOL... Rafa could have disowned Uncle Toni if he wants but he is a very good-natured boy and it is Uncle Toni who decided that he should play with his left and also taught his how to hit with the extreme grip he uses. So Nadal is very loyal to his teacher and this is a good thing.

murray has the toughest draw ....nadal's draw is ok..i dont think any1 can stop him from reaching the semis...3rd rnd may prove to be tricky.....murray will find it very difficult to move to the semis...federer will overcome his challengers and advance to the smis..but u never know he got beaten by roddick last year,same stage same tournament...djokoier,dont know what to say...

mercedes20,of course,Roddick isn't the only one who does such things but I'm just saying that it's not the first time Roddick is doing these things.So,that's why I don't get it when people make his actions such a big deal,I'm not suprised anymore about him.

I dont get why people always make a mountain out of roddick's molehills but completely ignore other players worse behavior (koellerer? murray? soderling? stepanek? tursunov? ring a bell? guess not)

I do no get it either Sheila other maybe he is just not media cleared for temper tantrums. The stupid thing was: his tantrum was over a call which was in his favor. and then he rolls eyes at Nadal? Maybe A-Rod thinks he needs to help out guy pal Nadal? He is overly-complimentary to both Federer and Nadal in my opinion and now that Federer is "transitional" as one writer (funspiritman) explained so
well, you'd think my homeboy would get down to business and not get too carried away with how great Rafa and Roger are. I feel him tho, I'd lose my cool if somebody put this foodie on calorie counting regimen! C'mon A-Rod

Those players behavior arent ignored so what are you talking about? Koellerer has a nickname for his behavior, there are hundreds of articles saying murray should cut down the swearing etc. This particular one is about a-rod because he is the only one nagging for a point he won, over a correct decision proved by a mark and shot spot.

thank you, orion. As I've said (for I think the third time now), it isn't THAT he had a tantrum. I know there are plenty that are worse. Tursunov, Murray and Safin lose it just as often as Roddick does. My point was that he was arguing over a point HE WON. And he was arguing about a call that the umpire GOT RIGHT. My problem isn't that Andy is bad behaved, it's that he was being ridiculous.

Cheryl, you are an extremely gifted columnist. I love your wit and sarcasm. You've never failed to make me laugh in any of your blogs. You're one of the most entertaining people I've read. Please keep up the good work.

Is there a page where we can learn more about you?

I'm with Lostn, Cheryl. Your blog is so amazing that I have no choice but to participate even if English is not my first language.

Roddick... it's just hard to tell. I don't know why, but whenever he's on the court I laugh no matter if he's doing something funny or shameful. It's just... him.

These days I've found myself thinking that nowadays we kinda need more Roddicks and Djokovics . Tennis used to be a sport packed of bad tempered guys... and now is loosing this taste somehow. I mean, I love and appreciate Federer and Nadal's politeness -they've been well trained in the PR field-, but I also miss those moments where a tennis player would made a fuss out of nowhere, just because... Back then tennis felt more natural, more passionate.

Andy R is entertaining, to a fault. But yesterday's blabbering has proven me wrong about him. I hope he grows up - soon!