WIMBLEDON, DAY 3

Cool-headed Roddick puts in a Martin-like performance

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

FROM WIMBLEDON – A couple of hours before Andy Roddick went out onto Centre Court and wiped the floor with the emotionally imploding Greg Rusedski, Todd Martin, MENSA's mountain man of tennis, coolly disposed of the colorful Gustavo Kuerten 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Martin's game doesn't remind one of a grand finale at a July 4th fireworks show like Roddick's does, but his level head and surgeon's like approach to playing are a great example for emotional yo-yos like the 20-year-old Roddick.

So when Roddick took the court against Rusedski and fought off a charged up British crowd by keeping his head and confidence up and his concentration firmly in hand, visions of Martin crept on court. Like Martin, Roddick employed his strengths beautifully and focused on executing, rather than doing what he did last year when Rusedski took him to school, which was let his weaknesses quickly show and his confidence wilt.

Roddick has a new coach, Brad Gilbert, who is emphasizing a calm, oncourt demeanor and a more awareness of how Roddick can win matches. On grass, that means all offensive, both from his record-setting serve and huge forehand, as well as from his weaker backhand side and returns. Last year, Roddick hit one backhand passing shot in his loss to Grinning Greg. On Wednesday, it was his backhand passing shot that came through time and time against and keyed his 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1), 7-5 victory.

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

"I can be my own best friend and my own worst enemy," Roddick said of his mental state. "But today, I was a good buddy."

Martin is many people's good friend, but has never been afraid of standing up and being counted. As a player, he'll admit when he choked. As a the president of the embattled ATP Players Council, Martin isn't afraid of damaging his reputation with those in the USTA who have lauded him as a Davis Cup hero. He has no fear of offending those fans who rooted for him like he was an American folk hero during his hard fought run to the '99 US Open final.

So he's out of the stump trying to convince the Grand Slams that they need to give the ATP more money in order to promote the sport better and although he's not comfortable with the word "boycott," he is one of the 80 men who signed a document saying that the players might just do that at a Grand Slam if they don't negotiate a settlement.

"The players feel very strongly that the Grand Slams need to do their fair share for the pro game and that's just doesn't mean prize money or promotions, but the whole kit and caboodle, " he said.

MARTIN TAKES DOWN GUGA
Such is Martin the active statesman. As a player, he's just as effective as back-room negotiator, reasoning his way through points and rarely straying from his master strategy. In his win over Kuerten, the 6' 6" Martin pounded the bully pulpit, serving efficiently, knocking off volleys when he had to and returning intelligently when he got plays on Kuerten's swerving serves.

He's 32-year-old and looks a sprite older than that with his rapidly graying hair. Despite numerous injures over the years, he has a fair sized chance at reaching the second week here. He'll have to get by tough Australian Open finalist Rainier Schuettler in the third round, but the two-time Wimbledon semifinalist Martin certainly has the know how and right style to be second week threat here. James Blake says a good 30 guys could win the title at this Sampras and Hewitt-less tournament and you have to put Martin on that list as a darkhorse.

"I think you saw last year that in some ways more than 30 guys are capable of winning here, "Martin said. " I don't think anyone would have expected David Nalbandian to be in the final. If you get to the final, you are capable of winning. In reality there's probably, come the day after tomorrow, 32 guys who can win it."

However, Martin won't put himself a the front of the pack because he's a realist, saying that when he was at his peak in 1999, the boys didn't quite rip the ball with accuracy that they do today. But he won't count himself out because he knows how to work up a game plan.

"My level's better now than when I've done my best here," he said. "Unfortunately, week-in and week-out, there are a lot of guys who are playing a higher level than that. I think when I'm sharp, I can compete with anybody – especially here."

Gilbert cannot play for Roddick, but he certainly can advise him well. If Roddick continues to serve the lights out, crack forehands like he did Rusedski and execute Gilbert's well-conceived strategies, he could nail his first Slam title here. Roddick won't say he's the favorite to win it all, but he knows that Gilbert's sound opinions and a Martin-like demeanor could get him far.

"The results are speaking for themselves," he said. "A lot of it is between the ears, keeping calm. You don't become physically better overnight."