Roddick and Connors split
I’m still catching up on my posts now that I am back from India. Expect the next few things to be the bigger news items - and maybe stuff everyone knows by now.
Connors resigned as coach of the sixth-ranked player “about a week ago,” Roddick said Thursday after upsetting Rafael Nadal 7-6 (5), 6-2 at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Roddick and Connors paired up in July 2006, and within months Roddick reached the U.S. Open final. But they weren’t able to replicate that success at a Grand Slam tournament.
“He’s helped my backhand a ton. I mean, it’s a different shot than when we got together,” Roddick said. “It’s a lot more solid. And just that fighting spirit.
“When we got together, I was as close to down and out as I’ve been. I spent the week after Wimbledon almost as close to depressed as I’ve been as far as my career goes. And I really credit him for that spark and getting me back into the top five and in a Slam final pretty close there afterwards.”
Roddick said he’s “not too worried” about playing without a coach, given his recent success against the No. 2 Nadal.
“Tonight’s an example. I know how to play,” Roddick said. “I just have to set my mind to it.” Canadian Press
