Why does Andy Roddick always choke on big points?

Question

He admitted to choking in his press conference after the loss to Tipseravic: "Any opportunity I got, I pretty much choked it".

The sad thing is he has been choking for years. He plays great until it gets to a big point. It's as if he senses the importance of the point and tries too hard.

Answer 1

If he wants to back to his top form, he must throw all his stubborn thinking and create more variety in his game rather than just rely on his booming serve and powerful game style.  Brad Gilbert and Jimmy Connors both are great coach.  If he really wants to go back to his top form, he must seek forgiveness from either one of them and hire back them as coach.  His game is really conservative with the fact that his only 26.  People start figure out his game style and tend to have more game plan in facing him, this is the reason why he keep on losing to the player than has lower ranking.  He must willing to change, otherwise, the most he can do is only maintain as a top tenner.  That's all I can say.

Answer 2

He always plays it safe. Instead of trying to win the big points, he tries not to lose them.

Answer 3

he needs to let go all the stats, ranking, his past achievements, fame, been the top US player, etc. and play tennis like a junior player again, with a lot of passion and fearless. he carries way too many baggages.

just like Safin, once he release all the expectations, he has a great result in Wimbledon this year.

Answer 4

Its probably because he can't handle the pressure very well. Tennis is mostly a mental game.

Answer 5

I agree with Harold A, it's mental toughness.  I think he loses focus many times throughout the match.  And during the big points he thinks he can just hit average shots to win them... time and time again it's shown that fails.

Answer 6

tipsarevic saved all 8 break points thanks to roddick mostly...like tht one when he tried to do drop shot from return LOL

maybe he s just not secure in his shots...after all he is just gd server nothin else...

Answer 7

It's just his way of dealing with pressure situations, and it's not a good thing either. If you choke under situations like that, you really don't have much of a chance of getting out of it. Rafael Nadal always maintains control of pressure situations.

Answer 8

Plain and simple, I think it's mental.

He lacks the confidence and mental toughness vs strong oppenents.

Answer 9

It's not really him choking, but it's because there are simply too many players on the tour from around the world who are so dangerous and complete.  It can be too much.

Answer 10

He is nervous or thinks he can't do it. Maybe?

Answer 11

Because his game is one-dimensional. He depends on his big serve and huge forehand to win points. The problem for him is, if he has a low first serve percentage and has to throw in second serves, his opponent often can out-maneuver him in the rally.

Once Roddick's serve breaks down, he starts to panic and doesn't really know what to do. He plays more conservatively like a counterpuncher especially on his return games (because he doesn't want to make unforced errors) which is not his game at all. He also begins making poor decisions and very bad approach shots that leave him open for an easy passing shot.

Basically, his whole game revolves around his serve. When he can get aces, unreturnables or an easy one-two combination with the forehand, he is very comfortable and confident. When he starts missing first serves and he has to rely on second serves, or if he is playing a guy like Federer who can return his first serve, he runs out of options. Instead of switching to a new game plan like serving and vollying, taking more chances on the return or going for the percentage first serve, he panics, plays conservatively and chokes.

Answer 12

Andy is not very strong mentally also his game is very weak if you ask me.  If you notice when Andy plays all he does is wait for his opponent to mess up.  He doesn't take any chances at all.  He spend the entire time just hitting the ball back to the opponent waiting on them to take any chances and hoping they would miss.  It is often too painful for me to watch.  He just let ball go by him hoping they would go outside instead of trying to score cheap points.  He is such a choker and it is ruining his career.