" Back From the Dead."

I don't really use the phrase, unless I really, literally mean that. But, here I couldn't think of anything better, although I'm sure, there'll be a hundred better and definitely less barbaric phrases to describe Andy Roddick's journey.

In the past two years, with Rafael Nadal's rise, Roger Federer's continued awesome form ( at times meeting its Nemesis in Nadal), a few players rising up out of nowhere ( Marcos Baghdatis, Robin Soderling, Wilfred Tsonga to name a few ), the William sisters finally getting back to where they belonged, Andy Roddick was pretty much shut to the sidelines. And his form didn't help him really, deserting him when he needed it the most.

Looking back, more than half the tennis world had probably thought the Roddick chapter was closed and done with for sometime. Which is why, this run means a hell lot more to all the tennis fans around the world. Because, it shows that a man's conviction and will ( and from the papers that I've read, a woman's constant support and love) can even make him turn around in a game like Tennis, where, your body needs to be sharper than your mind at all times, whatever the time span of the game.

Agreed that at the end of the day, Roger Federer won, Andy Roddick, with all due respect, did not do enough to seal his day, but at least it will put inside him a belief that the seeding of No.6 carries a little more meaning than just respect for a good player.

Which finally brings me to say, that it really did sadden me to see him let go at the final point. Because, despite having done all the hard work, despite having shut the mouths of all those critics who said he stood no chance, despite giving Centre Court a second Epic final in two years, Andy Roddick did end up at the loser's end. And looking back, he just didn't do enough. He might have won a million fans over on 5th July, 2009, but he will always be left with a remorse that says, " You should've given it a bit more." And it showed in those dry eyes, and that red nose he sported after it was all over. It will hurt him, as it hurt the many people who rooted for him, whatever their reasons might have been.

I hope, Mr. Roddick, this is the start of an upward swing for you......

And, hey, Good Game!!