Andy Roddick and John Isner will play Atlanta Tennis Championships next year – Tennis Special
Former world number one, Andy Roddick of the United States, has shown his commitment to be a part of the competitive field at the Atlanta Tennis Championships next season. The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 event will be played in Atlanta, the United States, from 16th to 22nd of July next year.
Currently holding the 14th spot in the South African Airways ATP World Rankings, Roddick has been straining extremely hard to get back his vintage form throughout the 2011 season. The former US Open champion finished the circuit with a 34-16 winning record, which is certainly far below his high own set standards. The 29-year-old American veteran bagged just one ATP championship title this year at Memphis, extending his title count to a total of 30.
Roddick played the inaugural edition of Atlanta Tennis Championships in 2010 and was the semi-finalist. He was outplayed by his fellow compatriot, Mardy Fish, in straight sets, 6-7(5), 3-6, to finish his voyage at the ATP World Tour 250 event but the American believes he will go even further this time around to claim the title on his home soil.
“I have some great memories of playing in Atlanta where I won my very first ATP World Tour event,” Roddick said. “To return and have an opportunity to play in this remarkable new venue will be very exciting.”
The reigning tournament champion, Mardy Fish, has yet not confirmed that he will defend his title at Atlanta next year or not. Fish outplayed the other American opponent, John Isner, in 2011 final after an enthralling three-setter finishing at 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-2, to claim the title. Isner announced on Monday that he will certainly play the 2012 edition of the Atlanta Tennis Championships to avenge his defeat in the final this season.
“I’m excited about returning to the Atlanta Tennis Championships and playing in front of the enthusiastic tennis fans in Georgia,” Isner said. “The energy and excitement of this unique setting will be fun for all the players.”
Currently rated at number 18 in the ATP World Rankings, Isner has already signed a multi-year deal to commit himself to the event in Atlanta. 26-year-old American took off the 2011 season as the world number 19 but sunk to the 47th spot in six months’ time. Isner bagged some crucial victories later to recover his ranking to reach the 18th spot by the end of the circuit.
Isner had a close contest with Fish in 2011 final of the Atlanta Tennis Championships but couldn’t hang on with his focus to come out as the winner. He bagged the opening set comprehensively but Fish made a valiant comeback in the contest to reel off the next two set to snatch away the title opportunity from him.
With the inclusion of Roddick and Isner, the field at Atlanta has grown more competitive and it is already anticipated that another all-American clash will be witnessed in the final of the event. Roddick is labouring hard to maintain his legacy in the sport and the two enthusiastic Americans, Fish and Isner, are aiming to make their place among the top ranked tennis players in the world. It will be very interesting to see how the old American horse will compete against the young legs to prove his supremacy on the hard courts of Atlanta in the coming season.
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