ATP Tour: Roddick Suffers Another Blow in US Open Preparations

After deciding to retire from the Los Angeles Open due to a back injury, American Andy Roddick has suffered another blow this Monday. The 10th ranked player in the world is clearly not in his best physical form right now. And, although he reassured his fans that he is going to compete in this year's US Open at full capacity, there is still a question mark on his capability to recover from the number of injuries that he suffered for the last 4 months.

This time, it wasn't the stomach. Andy pulled out of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic because of a strained back. And the injury couldn't have come any worst, since Roddick was clearly getting his game back. With preparation for the US Open interrupted by such physical problems, Jimmy Connors will sure have a lot of work keeping his pupil focused on the September Grand Slam in Flushing Meadows.

"I could still feel the injury and I guess where the injury actually is. I have been advised that it is in an easy place to re-aggravate. I could still feel it out there today, and I didn't feel like I was well enough to practice tomorrow", said the American. His place in the tournament was given to compatriot Jean Michael Gambill. Still, even if failing to defend his title in the Legg Masson Classic, Roddick feels pretty confident about his US Open preps.

He stated that he will try to get back into shape as soon as possible, so that he could participate in next week's Toronto Open. More, Andy is hoping for a last preparation tournament in Cincinnati the week after. Then, a week before the US Open gets under way, he will try to get the rest he needs to make an impressive comeback in front of the home crowd.

The US Open will take place in New York and will start on the 28th of August. He won the tournament 3 years ago, when he defeated Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.