Andy Roddick came out of retirement to defeat up-and-coming American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4 in an exhibition match Monday night at the BB&T Atlanta Open.
“I feel like the guy who is too old to go to a high school dance,” Roddick said before the match.
Roddick showed he’s still got some of the moves that helped him win the 2003 U.S. Open and reach No. 1 in the world in front of an appreciative crowd at Atlantic Station.
Roddick slammed several serves right down the “T” of the court - causing the 17-year-old Tiafoe to raise his hands in exasperation — hit 140 mph at least once on the radar gun, fought off break points and hit at least one crosscourt backhand onto the tape for a winner. He finished with 13 aces and saved seven break points.
Because he said he wasn’t in the best condition to deal with Atlanta’s heat and humidity, Roddick took breaks between most of the points to catch his breath and towel off.
Roddick came out of retirement to play the exhibition, and to team with Mardy Fish in the doubles, because he said the city is special to him.
Roddick won his first tournament as a pro in Atlanta in 2001 when the event was played on clay courts under a different name at Atlanta Athletic Club. He won his 32nd and last singles title as a pro in Atlanta at Atlantic Station on hardcourts in 2012.
Roddick’s opponent on Monday was born two years before he made his professional debut in 2000.
Tiafoe wasn’t buying Roddick’s modesty before the match.
“He’s still got a great serve, he’s still going be pretty solid from the ground,” Tiafoe said. “We’re just going to have fun out there. Obviously I’m going to compete as hard as I can but I’m not really focused on the result. I’m more worried about playing good tennis and seeing where I really stand against a great player like that.”
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