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Butterfly Feet
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01/26/2009 - 6:48 AM
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"Is that Andy Roddick?" one onlooker asked, pointing to the shirtless American as he practiced with Larry Stefanki (his new coach) and two hitting partners on Court 4 today. The implicit question was, "Why in hell would Andy Roddick be doing that?"
Stefanki calls the game "squares." Imagine doubles, but all four men start inside the service lines, facing one another across the net. One player feeds the ball (softly) to any of the other three, including the player beside him, and a touch rally ensues (essentially, a series of half volleys). The ball can go over the net and even ricochet off the net on a bounce as long as it only bounces once (bounces over the net are not allowed). If the ball hits you or gets by you, or if you miss, you're saddled with a point. The first player to 10 loses (the other three men win).
Roddick and company played for a half hour or better this afternoon; Stefanki said he lost two games out of five--not bad for a 52-year-old playing with men half his age. Roddick doesn't lose, though he did collect seven points yesterday, a record high for him (remember, "high" equals "bad").
"It's just to get your feet moving," Stefanki said. "He likes it, it's a relaxing thing and it helps him around the net."
Stefanki did not invent squares--"It's been around forever," he said--and Roddick has played it for years. (When I told Stefanki that I had never played it before, he said, smiling as he pointed to my digital tape recorder, "That's why you're doing this." I can't argue with the man.) Even so, the purpose of the game indicates a new approach to coaching Roddick. As Stefanki put it, "I want him to have butterfly feet."
You've heard by now that Roddick lost about 15 pounds leading up to this tournament. For all the coaches and critics who have talked about what's best for Roddick--go the net more often and don't retreat behind the baseline, to name a few of the recommendations you've heard many times--none has ever given such a simple, and logical, method for effecting change. To cover more ground on the baseline, close the net more quickly, and shorten the court, a player ought to be fast and agile.
It's so obvious--at least, it is now that Stefanki has said it (like all first-rate coaches, Stefanki has a knack for uncovering obvious solutions that seem to elude everyone else). Here's what Stefanki wants Roddick to remember most: A smaller Roddick means bigger tennis.
"He was a pusher in the juniors," Stefanki said. "He was tiny and he grew seven or eight inches in a year. He says, 'I always fall back on that.' And I say, 'No, no, you're a big guy now.'"
What does Stefanki think of Novak Djokovic, Roddick's quarterfinal opponent on Tuesday afternoon? He's a fierce competitor and incredible mover with a backhand that is more solid and reliable than his dangerous forehand.
"[Roddick] needs to come to the net 45, 50 times," Stefanki said. "[Djokovic], he's a little more agile than Andy from the backcourt--I call him Gumby. That's good in tennis, that flexibility. He digs out a lot of balls back there."
Though Djokovic's movement is an asset, Stefanki also sees it as an injury risk, unless Djokovic improves his "body control."
"I've been around a long time," Stefanki said. "That power sliding, rolling your ankles, it's great when you're 21, but it's brutal on your joints."
Favorite Falls
Andy Murray, a pre-tournament favorite, is finished. For more on Murray's reaction to his fourth-round loss to Fernando Verdasco, visit Abby Lorge.
Williams defeats Roddick, 6-1
Andy Roddick admits to losing to Serena Williams when the two were children, but he says Serena is exaggerating the score. They talk about it here.
53 Comments
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Posted by embug |
01/26/2009 at 07:32 AM |
First... I've never been first. OMG!
Tom, thanks for this insightful post. I like to read about the goings on around the venue. What good insight. I've taught some tennis and Squares is an age-old (believe me) game we play with beginners - juniors and adults. It shortens the court and allows them to get a feel of what tennis is really like. Of course, the game played by Roddick and his entourage is an extreme form. It IS a fab way to learn touch. Some club players pooh pooh a warm up that starts service line to service line. But if Andy Roddick and Stepanick do it, then... well.. the writing's on the court.
Thanks, again, Tom... Go Andy!!! |
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Posted by Ro'ee |
01/26/2009 at 08:21 AM |
Great piece, Tom, but technically Luke Jensen said the very same thing last year: Roddick needs to be 10-15 pounds lighter. He actually went as far as to claim that's the main difference between Andy and Roger (which was a bit over the top, but you get the point). |
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Posted by Vishal |
01/26/2009 at 08:57 AM |
Other need to lose weight candidates:
Serena Williams, Kleybanova, Tsonga |
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Posted by Pica_pica (BIG 3 to win AO!!!) |
01/26/2009 at 09:05 AM |
Ajde Nole! Hopefully he quickly recovers from his late night match and doesn't get intimidated by whatever about Roddick. |
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Posted by Eoin |
01/26/2009 at 09:59 AM |
What Stefanki said about Djoko and his power sliding on hardcourt is very true. He will injure himself badly one day. Its ok on clay but on concrete??!! I'm amazed he still has ankles!! |
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Posted by Bojan |
01/26/2009 at 10:32 AM |
I think nothing's on Roddick tonight. Novak will have the last word. Unless he doesn't increase the level of his game, Andy will beat him, but if Novak goes up for about 20% from previous match, he'll win in 3 or 4 sets.
Novak is having a lot of problems with forehand lately and he misses a lot of easy shots. However, he proved excellent on the big points, with his serve and shots. One thing Novak will have to do is - obviously - to return Roddick's first serve. At least just to get it back in the court, but that won't be easy at all. |
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Posted by cherrymonkey |
01/26/2009 at 10:33 AM |
go nole! make that big-mouth of a roddick be quiet just like in the us open! |
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Posted by ilah |
01/26/2009 at 11:30 AM |
i think novak and ana are the same. one moment they are superb and the next tournament, their game falls apart. |
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Posted by Master Ace |
01/26/2009 at 11:53 AM |
Roddick needs to execute his shots and stay his game plan if he was to pull off what Fernando Verdasco did the previous day. |
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Posted by Allen |
01/26/2009 at 01:44 PM |
"(bounces over the net are not allowed)" Do you mean bounces beyond the service line? |
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Posted by Charles |
01/26/2009 at 02:05 PM |
Wonderful commentary, Tom! boy, that Stefanki sures sounds like a bright guy. |
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Posted by Gerry |
01/26/2009 at 02:23 PM |
I like watching these warmup games the pros do. I saw Murray playing a game with someone where the ball MUST bounce on your side of the court first after you hit, then go over the net and be hit by the opponent BEFORE it bounces on the other side. It seemed that if the ball landed beyond the service line it was out. Murray made it look very easy. It's a fun way to get your feet moving although people on the next court will think that you don't understand that the ball is supposed to clear the net BEFORE it bounces. In squares, what prevents a player from just crushing a ball into the other square on their side of the net? |
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Posted by tina |
01/26/2009 at 02:36 PM |
ilah - and Roddick is the perfect example of consistency? At least I can actually remember the last time I saw a "superb" performance from Novak. |
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Posted by Ellen |
01/26/2009 at 03:35 PM |
Andy needs to use his brain on the court. He is a smart guy but for some reason he couldn't think when he is playing. That was why he lost to Novak at the US Open last year. Best of luck to A-Rod!
A Roger fan from New York |
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Posted by Claire |
01/26/2009 at 03:56 PM |
Novak, show Andy whose boss! |
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Posted by Morgan |
01/26/2009 at 03:59 PM |
Sorry to any Andy fans, but he always seems to be content with just making it to the quarters. I know that he wants to win another grand slam, but I don't see that happening. Andy may be able to beat top 20 players, but until he actually beats a top 5 player, will I believe that he can win this tournament. I haven't been watching any of his matches, and from what I've heard he's been playing really well, but still I want to see him put to the test. I don't think he's played anyone who has worried him, until tonight. I hope that Nole wins, I have been a fan of his since last year, but I wouldn't mind seeing Andy do well. I guess we'll see if his tactics will work tonight. May the best man win. |
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Posted by Emma |
01/26/2009 at 04:01 PM |
I always hear how Andy's got these new tactics or a new game plan, but I never see it put into action. Until Andy beats Nole will I believe that he can actually win this thing. Yes he has played some tough opponents this past week, but no one like Novak. I don't see this being a competitive match, but I hope Andy proves me wrong. |
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Posted by Jewel |
01/26/2009 at 04:02 PM |
Sorry your going home tonight Andy. Say bye-bye to Melbourne.
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Posted by moxie |
01/26/2009 at 05:12 PM |
Andy has played that squares game before ....... with Novak Djokovic! lol
good luck Andy, pls beat Novak in the quarterfinals!!!!!! |
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Posted by Betsy Y |
01/26/2009 at 05:30 PM |
I can agree with Kleybanova and maybe Serena slimming down to be quicker but no way to Tsonga. He's lean and relatively quick - he just happens to also be built like a linebacker (as one of the espn commentators said yesterday). I think his "thickness" is natural and doesn't slow him down very much if at all. His intimidating strength is too important to lose any of it. What about Nalbandian though? Now HE'S someone who needs to lose weight. I'm curious to see if it will help Roddick against the better players, to see whether the slimming down has actually made him significantly quicker or if he's just naturally a little slower than the top guys. I haven't seen him play too much yet but I'm looking forward to his match with the Djoker. I'm happy when ANYONE beats that guy! |
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Posted by Bob |
01/26/2009 at 05:51 PM |
C'mon, Andy! We know you can do it.
You're doing great. Enjoy the moment.
Go out there, have a blast and play your game to win. |
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Posted by Misha |
01/26/2009 at 06:18 PM |
Novak you're the class, show Andy the place! |
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Posted by |
01/26/2009 at 08:07 PM |
I really despise djokovic. He's just rude, and way to cocky (and don't say confident, its cockiness). He CAN play very well, and I'm really hoping Andy can beat Him, but Djokovic is on his game just like Andy so, I think it will be a good match. |
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Posted by |
01/26/2009 at 08:10 PM |
"""cherrymonkey """"
I hope you realize how absurd your comment about roddick having a big mouth was. I mean i think most would agree that dorkovich has one of the biggest and most annoying mouths out there. Im not a huge roddick fan but "nole" is a tool and i hope he loses. |
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Posted by Melissa |
01/26/2009 at 08:15 PM |
We can all agree that Roddick always had a big mouth, but let's not pretend that the Djoker is better, please ! They're both the most conceited and arrogant players on the ATP tour and thank God for the likes of Rafa, Roger, Simon, Blake, Ferrer, Ljubicic, Bagdhatis, Ancic and Moya among many more...nothing but class and praises for others. |
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