By DPA,
London : Following his earliest-ever exit at Wimbledon, Andy Roddick admits he’s tired of being a supporting act.
And with Roddick and compatriot James Blake, both losing in the second round, it’s the worst performance for Americans on the grass since the start of modern tennis 40 years ago.
Roddick tasted glory becoming the world number one and even won a 2003 US Open title, but around that time, Roger Federer began his consistent run to the top, followed on by Rafael Nadal.
Roddick now feels somewhat relegated to the sidelines of the game.
“When you’ve seen the Rolling Stones from the front row, and then all of a sudden you’re seven or eight rows back and there’s a really tall guy in front of you waving his hands and screaming, you can’t see much, it’s not going to be as good as the other shows,” said the 25-year-old American.
“That’s what you’re going to remember. I want to win another Slam.”
Roddick was playing the All England club after a shoulder injury which kept him away from the French Open.
With his eye on another Grand Slam title, Roddick is missing the Beijing Olympics to be ready for the US Open starting August 25.
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Beloved Spanish food fuels Nadal at Wimbledon
London : Rafael Nadal remains spoiled for culinary choices during his run at Wimbledon and is able to opt either for good home cooking or the best Spanish food in London.
Dinner time at the Team Nadal house near the All England club was surely a fiesta Thursday night as the clan gathered around the television to see Spain into the final of Euro 2008 against Germany.
But night outs in the Big Smoke are also worthwhile for home-loving Nadal from the island of Majorca. The king of Roland Garros takes every opportunity to eat at his preferred London restaurant.
And that’s easy to do, thanks to his Iberian restaurant hideaway, El Cambio de Tercio, once voted the best Spanish restaurant outside of Spain.
Nadal prefers to fuel on his preferred grilled octopus, getting his protein in bite-sized doses.
In return for frequent feeds, the restaurant owner is an honoured guest in Nadal’s stadium box during matches.
“I love this restaurant. We have very good relations with the boss. He loves the tennis,” said Nadal.
“We have known him since six years when we arrived for the first time to play Wimbledon. We always go to this restaurant. Everything is good.
“If I had to choose I think I would have the octopus. I like it a lot.”