Greg Rusedski’s expletive-filled exit from Wimbledon has drawn sympathy and support for the British ball-basher despite the shock it produced last month after a second-round loss to Andy Roddick.
But fans cover your ears and spectators watch your mouths –he two are likely to meet again here in the third round of the $600 000 ATP Washington Classic to renew what is becoming a fast-growing rivalry.
Rusedski objected when umpire Lars Graff decided not to replay a point on which a spectator called the ball out, prompting him to stop playing. Roddick tapped the ball back over the net and was awarded the point.
The match turned on that point and Roddick rallied from 5-2 down in the third set for a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1), 7-5 triumph.
A televised obscene tirade after the match brought a $2 500 fine and elicited an apology from Rusedski, who said here on Tuesday that people have been sympathetic rather than causing a backlash over his foul-mouthed musings.
”I had a lot of support from the public,” Rusedski said. ”Most people have ‘lost it’ once in a while. People came up to me and said, ‘You were robbed.’ Most people were very supportive over what happened.
”It brought some flavour to the tournament for a week but I would have preferred to have still been in the tournament.”
Rusedski, who beat Peru’s Ivan Miranda here 6-2, 6-4 in a second-round match, will face Roddick again here on Thursday unless the second-seeded American is upset by compatriot Bob Bryan on Wednesday.
”Obviously you are aware of it,” Roddick said. ”Obviously there is something going on right now because we have played in three of the past four tournaments. But I’ve played lots of guys lots of times. I don’t know what constitutes a rivalry.”
Two players with booming serves is a good start.
Roddick’s triumphs at Wimbledon and Queens add to the mix. And Rusedski notes a tactical difference that should add spice against Roddick, who has won 20 of his past 22 matches and a title last week at Indianapolis.
”Andy has got quite a lot of confidence,” Rusedski said. ”It’s going to come down to keeping constant pressure on him all the time and playing my style of tennis. I’m excited about it.
”We both know what to expect when we play. Fair enough, we’re both big servers. But I’m an attacking player and he’s more of a baseline player.” – Sapa-AFP