Back injury ousts Roddick, casts doubt on U … - 網球

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作者: okk (︿(@￣o￣@)︿) 看板: Tennis
標題: Back injury ousts Roddick, casts doubt on US Open fitness
時間: Wed Aug 2 02:24:42 2006

by Jim Slater
August 1, 2006
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Andy Roddick, concerned over a lower back injury that has
cast doubt upon his fitness for the US Open in four weeks, withdrew Monday from
the ATP Washington Classic.

The 23-year-old American practiced Monday for 30 minutes, his first workout
since the injury, and felt pain despite four days of rest and treatment,
pushing him to skip a title defence with hopes of top form for the US Open.

"I could feel it out there," he said. "I didn't feel like I was well enough to
play sets and practice tomorrow, therefore I'd be shoddy Wednesday."

"The last thing I want to do is reinjure it with the US Open around the corner.
I'll try hitting in three or four days and we'll see what happens. Fortunately
we have some time before the Open. It's not like it's next week."

Roddick suffered the lower left back strain during a 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-2 second
-round triumph over US wild card Scott Oudsema in Los Angeles and pulled out
before a scheduled quarter-final match.

"It felt like someone stabbed me in the side," Roddick said.

Roddick said there is no timetable for his return but plans to play Masters
Series events next week in Toronto and the following week in Cincinnati.

"Hopefully I can get out there and play a couple matches before the Open," he
said.

Roddick intends to continue the treatment he has been receiving - ice,
anti-inflammatories, ultrasound and electric stimulation.

"That coupled with rest is our best shot at it," he said.

The injury derailed momentum Roddick had hoped to build following a run to the
finals two weeks ago at Indianapolis, where he lost to James Blake. Roddick
beat Blake here in last year's final.

"It's disappointing I won't get to defend," Roddick said. "I feel like I
started to play good tennis. To have that momentum halted by this is
frustrating."

Roddick was unable to remove his own socks after the injury, which causes pain
in an area where he must twist and turn to serve effectively.

"It's a little tough to hide from, this injury. It isn't good, especially
trying to crunch down on the serve," Roddick said.

"I wasn't expecting to be feeling this good to be honest. It's so much better
than it was four days ago."

Retired legend Jimmy Connors has started working with Roddick as a consultant,
responding to an overture from Roddick.

"I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when Jimmy expresssed interest,"
Roddick said. "I'm about as excited as you can imagine about the prospect."

Lucky loser Jan-Michael Gambill of the United States replaced Roddick in the d
raw. He will face Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in a second-round match Wednesday.


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