TennisGrandStand

The internet has revolutionized the way tennis fans can view the game. Live streaming, videos, expanded photo galleries, and podcasts are just a few of the ways that allow fans to get closer to the action. But another effective way to reach fans is the official web sites for individual players. Periodically throughout the year, I’ll review the best of the best in player web sites and players Facebook accounts.More importantly, I’ll look at the best of the fan web sites and blogs. Fans put enormous effort-both time and expense-into building sites for their favorite players, doing so without any pay or recognition. Not only do fan sites provide information on particular players, but they help promote the sport as a whole. Hopefully by highlighting their web pages, we’ll give much deserved credit to these dedicated fans.

First up: All Andy Roddick, available anytime day and night via the internet.

In surfing through player web sites, Andy Roddick.com is by far one of the best in tennis cyberspace land. From the latest news to pictures and videos to information on Roddick’s foundation, AR.com keeps the American’s fans in the loop regarding their favorite player.

The most interesting part of the site is Roddick’s blog. While some of his critics point to his on court antics and sometimes confrontational press conferences, those close to Roddick praise his likable personality and willingness to help others. His blog on AR.com allows him to reveal more of his lighter, humorous side.

“You all would be proud to know that I made it to the correct gender bathroom this time, but had a bit of an awkward experience. We went to Ruth Chris after my match against Mardy and there was some of the tennis crowd there from the tournament. I signed a couple of things before I sat down and it wasn’t a big deal….so I am on my way into the bathroom and an overzealous lady-fan who may (definitely) have had a couple of drinks sees me go in and decides to follow.” If you want to know how the story ends, you can read the rest of Roddick’s restroom encounter with a fan in his recent blog entry from Dubai.

Roddick’s fans can get into the action in the site’s fan forum, discussing his recent matches and playing online games. Almost anything goes on the forum that features an “Everything Andy” thread. Well, almost everything. Fans can chat about anything relating to Roddick except for gossip about girls and dating. (That must have been an impossible rule to enforce when the news about Roddick’s engagement to Brooklyn Decker broke.)

For those fans looking for pictures, the site features a photo gallery, and fans can upload their own pictures of Roddick. Considering Jon Wertheim’s criticism that Andy didn’t sign fan autographs in San Jose, there are numerous pictures to be found of Andy signing autographs.

If AR.com isn’t enough for a diehard Roddick fan, they can become a fan friend of his on Facebook. Once accepted (which is almost instantaneous once you click on the link), fans can post messages on the site’s wall. One of the site’s best features is the photo gallery, which includes many pictures of Roddick off court.

While both AR.com and Roddick’s Facebook account have fun features, if you want the real dirt, head over to Roddick Watch. Roddick Watch is a must site to check out, even if you aren’t a Roddick fan.

The site description-”Keeping an eye on America’s favorite tennis brat, Andy Roddick”-gives a hint at what’s to come. The owner of the site goes by the nickname “Tangerine,” and much like her favorite, she has her own unique style, complete with dry humor and candid opinions.

After announcing his engagement to model Brooklyn Decker, Roddick claimed “I think I lost half my fan base today.” Not so for Tangerine. “I don’t care what she looks like, how old she is, if she’s a model or a former frumpy “Survivor” contestant, or whether their relationship will “last”, none of these things matter to me as a fan of Andy Roddick. I only want to see him happy and to succeed in his dreams. Should Andy win another slam on her watch, I will be the first to demand that Brooklyn Decker be cloned.”

Roddick fans can find information, pictures, and videos that they’ll never find posted on AR.com or Facebook. Tangerine does all the work for fans, searching out every article, magazine cover, and video where Roddick can be found. From match reports to press conference transcripts, Roddick Watch reports it all, including the just plain fun side of being a fan.

A Roddick fan could get lost for hours in Roddick Watch.

If you know of any other fan sites that deserves a shout out, let me know.

Related posts:

1. Men and Buildings: Dubai has lots of pretty things
2. Andy’s mohawk
3. Andy Roddick Engaged To Brooklyn Decker