Letter: Give Roddick a break; he’s paid his dues

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006 | 7:35 a.m.

Regarding Ron Kantowski's column on Andy Roddick withdrawing from the Tennis Channel Open ("Failing to make good on their word," Feb. 27):

I was in La Jolla, Calif., for the recent Davis Cup tie between the United States and Romania and trust me when I say Roddick was truly ill during the match on Friday, to the extent he was taken to hospital. Yet he went out and played again on Sunday. Then on to San Jose, and from there on to Memphis, Tenn.

Anyone doubting Andy's commitment to tennis should have been in Belgium in September when Roddick played a very tough five-set match on clay against Olivier Rocchus with more than 7,000 Belgians screaming constantly, even during points, during his serves. Roddick gutted it out and kept us in the world group.

So give Roddick a break.

Marianne Jenks, Jamestown, Ohio

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