Loving this bit of the write up of his match:
Roddick’s U.S Open victory in 2003 took him to the top of the world rankings. America believed it had found the successor to Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, who have won 21 Grand Slam events between them.
Instead, the rocket server has excelled only at Wimbledon, where he has been beaten by Federer in the last two finals. He will continue to bully lesser players, but no longer does he instil fear in the best.
While Roddick suffered, Baghdatis celebrated with the beaming smile which is never far from his face.
He became a cheerleader to his fans, who bounced and sang their way through the contest. According to Baghdatis, one of the ditties contained the curious refrain: ‘Marcos, you’re crazy with the white T-shirt.’ Back in Limassol, they danced in the fountains at 7am on a Sunday. In T-shirts and deserving of the same vocal salute, no doubt.
Baghdatis was named his country’s man of the year in 2005. The cleanness of his groundstrokes suggests he may have to get used to the accolade.
He has endearing foibles, such as his penchant for bouncing the ball through his legs before every serve.
He said: ‘I saw Federer do it. So I started and it became a habit. The way I am is to be happy. What you see on court is also what I am in my life and with the people that I love.’
Talking of loving, while Baghdatis would not reveal the name of his girlfriend to on-court interviewer Jim Courier, he did admit to his nighttime plans while coach Guillaume Payre studies quarter-final opponent Ivan Ljubicic, who beat former champion Thomas Johansson 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
‘My coach will be watching my next opponent and I’ll be sleeping with my girlfriend,’ confided Baghdatis to 15,000 spectators.
The joy of youth. Andy Roddick must remember it well.
Oh that our Andy would be allowed such grace and appreciation from the press and Britain in general. When was the last time a Scot made such waves in tennis? I thought it worth highlighting that it has taken him nigh on 3 years since he was a promising junior to make his mark, and yet so many want Andy to do it right now.
Patience, and fuzzy will indeed be eating his pc!
(If you aren't awake in the early hours "chatting" about a live screen scoreboard, you wont have a clue what I'm on about.)
@ self
