We haven’t heard a whole lot from Andy Roddick since the end of last season, except perhaps on his new sports radio show with Bobby Bones that has earned Roddick kudos and some attention as a possible sports announcer when his tennis career ends. And though Roddick has kept a low profile at the start of this month leading up to next week’s Australian Open, Roddick’s appearance at a press event for the AAMI Kooyong Classic earned him more attention not for what he said, but for his new look.
Sporting a trimmed Mohawk and shaved sides, Roddick’s new appearance caused a few raised eyebrows even among fellow pro Gael Monfils who’s got one of the most signature styles on tour. Roddick, along with Monfils, Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Jurgen Melzer, Bernard Tomic and Mardy Fish will compete against each other at the exhibition event to get some last minute preparation before Melbourne. Despite this being Roddick’s only warm-up tourney before the first Major of the year, Roddick seemed upbeat about his chances there.
“I’ve had a longer off-season … so I can get healthy and fit, Roddick told Australian press. “I feel like I have to feel pretty good physically to compete with these young guys. So I wanted to give myself the opportunity to do that.”
Roddick, a three-time winner of Kooyong, is known for raising a few eyebrows with his quips during interviews, but no matter who wins this week, Roddick’s new hairstyle will likely be the biggest buzz (sorry, had to say it) during the event.
Adjusting the Net 
I’ve always felt that Rod had the analytical and verbal acumen to be a sports announcer apres tennis. And I’m glad to read that someone else thinks so, too. Another quality in Rod is his razor sharp mind. Very quick and mentally agile. Let’s see what the future holds.