Andy Roddick plans to see some of his favourite bands in London to make sure he hits
the right notes at Wimbledon after claiming a record-equalling fourth Artois
Championships title at Queen’s Club in London yesterday.
The second-seeded American came from a set down to overcome Frenchman Nicolas
Mahut 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 to match the achievements of Boris Becker, John McEnroe and
Lleyton Hewitt, who have also won four times here.
Roddick is expected to be one of the main challengers to reigning champion Roger
Federer at Wimbledon, but his thoughts are already turning to live music as he contemplates a week in London before the third Grand Slam event of the year.
Two of his favourite bands, Pearl Jam and The Smashing Pumkins, are playing in
London this week.
Roddick also praised his opponent Mahut, whose world ranking of 106 means he
will have to try to qualify for Wimbledon by playing at Roehampton, beginning
today against Noam Okun of Israel. The American has seen enough quality in the
25-year-old, who beat French Open champion and last year’s beaten Wimbledon
finalist Rafael Nadal as well as Ivan Ljubicic, Arnaud Clement and Jonas Bjorkman,
to believe he can be a surprise contender at Wimbledon.
(source: scotsman)
