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Roddick, Hewitt seek Wimbledon salvation

PARIS - Grasscourt aficionados Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt quickly turned their thoughts to Wimbledon after seeing their dreams of claycourt success at the French Open ground into the Paris dirt.

Sixth seed Roddick lost 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili, the world number 114, on Saturday, while 28^th seed Hewitt fell in straight sets to four-time champion Rafael Nadal.

Roddick, like Hewitt a former world number one, had skipped the entire pre-tournament claycourt season for personal seasons and extended his record of having never gone beyond the fourth round at Roland Garros.

Hewitt’s best results at the French Grand Slam are quarter-final finishes in 2002 and 2004, but both men are a very different prospect on grass.

The Australian won Wimbledon in 2002, while Roddick played his part in a classic Wimbledon final last summer before going down to Roger Federer in an unforgettable five-setter.

The 2003 US Open champion also lost to the great Swiss in the Wimbledon final in 2004 and 2005 and says his game is much better suited to the quicker courts synonymous with the grass game.

“Here (Roland Garros) there’s a lot of thought, a lot of adjustments that have to be made. I have to compensate in certain areas for weaknesses that I have on this surface,” he said after losing to Gabashvili in the third round.

“On grass, I don’t feel like there’s that many holes. I feel like my game automatically translates well to that surface.

“My chip stays down. My backhand goes through the court a little bit. Obviously my serve gets a little bit better. It’s just a more comfortable feeling and with that comes a greater sense of confidence.”

Hewitt, who is approaching veteran status on the ATP Tour at the age of 29, echoed Roddick’s thoughts.

“Wimbledon’s probably my favourite tournament of the year,” said the Australian, who reached the quarter-finals in London last year.

“It’s a special place for me, after the success I’ve had there. I love playing there and preparing for that tournament.

“If things go my way, there’s no reason why I can’t do some damage.”

Roddick, 27, captured the hearts of the Wimbledon crowd with his gutsy showing in defeat to Federer last summer but he insists he will not approach this year’s tournament any differently.

“I’m always anxious going into Wimbledon, I don’t think that’s going to change,” he said.

“Last year is last year. I don’t go in with any sense of entitlement. I’m excited to get onto a surface where I actually feel I can impose my game a little bit more.”

Roddick travels to London next week and he will discover a city gripped by football fever as England gears up for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

England begin their campaign against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12, but Roddick refused to be drawn into a prediction.

“I’ve got the British crowd on my side right now,” he said when asked by an American reporter for his thoughts on the outcome of the match.

“I’ve built up a lot of good will over the last couple of years that I don’t want to ruin by answering this question.

“I’m not going to give you anything. I’m going to enjoy my sudden popularity in London and leave it at that.”