When Roddick Talks, Roddick Listens (and Survives)

For now at least, coaches are not allowed on the court in professional tennis. But Andy Roddick was coaching himself plenty on Wednesday as he tried to extricate himself from his latest spot of bother in his opening match at Wimbledon.

“Hit the forehand, please!” Roddick bellowed, among other things, as the third set reached a critical stage against Janko Tipsarevic.

It has been that sort of season for Roddick, a season in which the tactics and the victories that once came naturally are now more elusive.

But this Grand Slam tournament and the grass that makes it unique are Roddick’s best chance to start anew. And while struggling to beat Tipsarevic, the world’s 101st-ranked player, on Roddick’s favorite surface is not about to chase all his blues away, he is not in position to nitpick at the moment.

Click here to read the full article at nytimes.com