NEW YORK - After Andy Roddick announced his retirement, the analysis of his career began. He was asked what is missing also what feels most proud of - and then came the question of wildcard.
Roddick was asked about his favorite conference.
After covering a pressure range of retirement (Kim Clijsters, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras), I know that you could almost take bets on how long before a player can pass a reference to how annoying it was dealing with the media.
Sometimes a player like Roddick pulled kindly bone writers respect the work the media does, but it is clear that the press conferences in the ranking of a site close to being on hold technical support in the field of entertainment.
So Roddick press conference favorite? A reporter asked Roddick said he had in mind. It was the end of the night last Friday, after a second-round victory at the Open, Roddick stopped the game.
"What can I say to make you look better in your story?" Roddick asked. "You tell me.'re Looking for something. Maybe, just can cut the s --- and you can tell me what you're after."
Roddick, who was not a direct or angry, he was right. It can be fun, intelligent, moody or, depending on the weather, but not always cooperative, nor should it be. I can not count the number of times I've heard - or said -. "History is written, now all you need is a quote"
And after a press conference to try to get an athlete to fill this gap. One question that might begin: "I do not think ..." Or a short introduction to a reporter about bringing a player to a conclusion and this term.
Tracy Austin, a former tennis great that the transition to television after his career, said he had seen this as an athlete, and on the other side. He heard another player say something like this week.
"All you're doing the same question, but you're asking a different way," he heard Austin. "Are you looking for a definitive answer?"
Sometimes Roddick - or Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, or any number of other experts, athletes smart - do not want to be guided.
Those athletes journalists hard or just playing with them as if they were fictional characters in a story written? There are times when Roddick is correct that a journalist is not listening to their answers, and seeking confirmation that the opinion I had. Roddick joked with a reporter Friday night was finally agree with that, now that he is retired.
"But what to do and I'm fine with anything," said Roddick. "No problem. Now have no consequence."
Roddick fell thoughtful and engaging with the announcement of his retirement. I 'freed him to open a little' more. The announcement began a little 'lovefest between Roddick and his fans, the community court, and even the media, in their own way.
"Andy is one of the most memorable kind in the history of tennis," said Austin.
Roddick was rarely half race so easy, especially after a loss. After a victory, it was revealing and fascinating, and often very funny, with a sardonic wit. But after a loss, which can be as short unnecessarily.
Former American Lindsay Davenport said that press conferences are not easy for each player.
"You go there, win or lose, what to be," said Davenport. "It's very difficult to deal with. Few people stop to take them down, and others do not. Seen in Roger [Federer], even when he was winning every Grand Slam and reaching No. 1, was all handled with grace. He is very understanding that everyone has a role to fill and work to do, and do not take it personal. "
The postmatch press conference may not be the best way to get a player, anyway.
Imagine your worst day at the office. Now imagine you are asked to stand in front of a group of people who are not your friends, and dissect every mistake. They can ask for reflection, responsibility and penalty three minutes of questioning.
Austin said: "[The athletes can be asked], this statement is contrary?" If you win more? Can improve the most? Are you retired? . This is the kind of impression that work is as the same time, you're asking - we've seen the press - are asking these questions to someone who is just off a loss or charge of these things. '
Davenport said away from the game gives the player more when it comes to back and forth.
"I never felt I had a difficult relationship with the media and I never feel like I have a chip on my shoulder about it," said Davenport. "The others do, and this is the interesting passage.
But I think any player, once removed from the game, and if it's a year, three years, four years, you begin to see a different light, and see that there is more that goes into it than just two people to play tennis. "
Or, more likely, Roddick could start to see the media more as an opportunity than as an enemy. It has a sports radio program.
Tennis is a sport in which the transition from player to commentator is well paved, prickly personalities such as John McEnroe and Austin Davenport, who works for the Tennis Channel.
