Forgetting How To Win

Reuters

Three consecutive events, three consecutive ultimate set losses.

It's nice to see so many new and renewed fans so firmly in Andy Roddick's corner when he's locked in a dogfight, but to see those dear-in-headlight eyes and the chin on the sternum after every point he loses tells me that Roddick doesn't have the confidence and belief in himself he needs to add another big title to his trophy case.

For the second time in seven days, Juan Martín del Potro played to win against Roddick. He took the biggest risks on the biggest points and won the match. For the second time in seven days, Roddick played not to lose against del Potro. This time he even held a match point. Got his racket on a first serve, actually got a good, solid swing on the ball, but mishit it and sent it wide. Two games later, collapsing under the pressure of all that cautious tennis, he lost the match and walked off the court crestfallen.

If someone had told me a year ago that del Potro would succeed Roger Federer as the player most capable of tormenting Andy on a tennis court, I'd have said you were crazy. When Andy dropped serve to open the second set it was clear he was going to lose the match and del Potro knew he was going to win it.

For those who think Andy's Wimbledon run sets him up as a lead contender at the US Open, I say think again. Had he actually won Wimbledon, then of course he'd be the favorite to win the Open.

But, despite the improvements in his attitude and outlook and tennis, all of which we've seen throughout his career when he takes on a new coach, Andy has forgotten how to win. And it's killing him.