Andy’s Ankle Ends Roland Garros

It was little surprise that Andy chose to give Roland Garros a go despite still recovering from a sprain incurred less than week ago. Andy’s competitive spirit has seen him play through stomach illnesses and sore shoulders among other ailments. But risking further injury to an already concerning condition forced Andy to compromise his stubborn spirit today, retiring against Alberto Martin 4-6, 5-7, 0-1 (ret.)

Over an hour and a half into the match following the opening game in the third set, Andy called for a trainer. Andy explained to the trainer a point at five all in the previous set had aggravated the ankle further. As Andy untied his shoe and removed his sock, the trainer let Andy know the unsettling news that rules would not allow him to re-tape the ankle in the middle of a set. Andy would have to wait until the end of the set to receive any effective treatment. After a few moments of tough contemplation Andy looked up with frustration to the Chair Umpire, Lars Graff and said “I’m done Lars.” It was certainly a disappointing end to a well fought match.

A big overhead, ace, solid forehand and volley helped Andy start his 2006 Roland Garros with hold on Court Susan Lenglen. Martin countered with a hold at love to level the first set at one all. Using what ESPN commentators referred to as “surf and turf” strategy, Andy varied tricky kick serves and power ground strokes to keep the points as short as possible on his serve.

At two all, Martin drew Andy into the net and with a clever passing shot earned the first break point of the match. Andy leveled the game with a big serve but Martin pushed for a second break point and converted to take the lead, 3-2. Both men held leaving Andy to serve to stay in the first set at 3-5. A ball clipped the lines and Martin pulled some impressive passing shots to earn set points. Andy defended the first with a big serve. And despite an audible distraction in the middle of his second serve, Andy held for 4-5.

The cold and windy conditions on Court Susan Lenglen made the tricky surface more unpredictable. Martin stretched the points out and used tactically drop shots to take the first set 6-4.

With a new found confidence against Andy, Martin broke early in the second and held for a 2-0 lead. Andy battled for 1-2, fighting to take the momentum back from the Spaniard. Andy braved the unfavorable conditions to show why he is currently the only American with a winning record on clay, but a few noticeable head shakes and ginger movements made it clear that Andy’s ankle was increasingly becoming a factor. His perseverance gave Andy his first break point opportunity in Martin’s 8th service game. A lob from Martin took the game to deuce, but Andy converted his second chance to level the set at three all. Martin held with relative ease, and Andy saved two break points for 5-4.

Martin effectively used lobs knowing Andy would be hesitant to jump on the tender ankle. An hour and half into the match, Martin broke again and served out the second set 7-5. One game later, Andy made the prudent yet difficult decision to end his 2006 Roland Garros.

Watching Andy prematurely walk through the tunnel is a tough moment for any tennis fan. Injury is never the way you want to see a player conquer or succumb to defeat. Andy often says “you have to play with the cards you are dealt,” and today he played a tough hand. ESPN’s reflection of Andy’s trials articulates it best:

“It has slowed him down, tripped him up, frustrated, flustered, and confused him. He has been ousted out early and often on this red clay canvas. But when it comes to this fighter, you can count on this: he will always pick himself up, brush himself off, and come back for more.”