Melbourne, Jan 18 (DPA) Andy Roddick was glad to escape a collision with an apparently immovable linesman at Australian Open Monday, thankfully avoiding more of the injury-drama which ended his 2009 season early last October.
“I promise you that first step afterwards was a relief. I definitely don’t want to go doing that a whole lot,” said the American seventh seed, who reached the second round 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 over Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands.
Player and official crossed paths at the back of the court, with the player receiving the worst of the encounter.
“I kind of pinched the knee a little bit,” Roddick said. “Normally (when they) see a player running full speed, they decide to at least move or catch the player.”
Roddick limped out of Shanghai just under three months ago after injuring his left knee and did not play until winning the Brisbane title eight days ago.
Though he qualified for the year-end finals in London in November, he was unable to play and was able to make only a brief sponsor appearance.
“Spectating at the World Tour Finals, that wasn’t easy, especially when I feel like I had earned my spot,” he said.
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