Andy Roddick admits he could not tolerate Murraymania
Speaking after his first round win at the US Open, the beaten Wimbledon finalist says he is amazed at the hype that surrounded Andy Murray during SW19
1 September 2009
ANDY RODDICK is a popular chap in the US, but admits he could not tolerate the level of interest generated by Andy Murray in Britain.
Roddick got his US Open campaign underway with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Bjorn Phau, of Germany, in what was his first grand slam match since his Wimbledon heroics.
Roddick was beaten in five sets in the final by Roger Federer, after he had broken British hearts with a memorable semi-final win over Murray.
And he said: “I don’t think I’ve had to deal with anything close to what Murray deals with at Wimbledon.
“It’s down to, ‘Andy had a power bar at 3:30 before he went out to play – and was that a good thing?’
“He’s on the front page of sports sections for 45 days. I could relate to certain aspects, but it’s not the same at all.’’
Defeat to Federer was Roddick’s third in a Wimbledon final, but the brave nature of defeat fanned the flames of interest in the affable American.
He said: “People on the street were, like, ‘We’re so sorry, we’re so sorry.’ I was, ‘It’s ok.’
“I’ve played the Wimbledon final before . But I don’t think I realised the magnitude of interest in it back here. I don’t think I really understood.
“Obviously, in England, Wimbledon is a big deal. That match with Murray was a big deal.’’
Murray will play in the early hours of tomorrow morning, having been given a prime-time spot for American television. He said, ahead of his first-round match against Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis: “One of the few things that I want to do in tennis now is to win a grand slam.”
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