Tennis Chatter

Andy Roddick withdrew from Bangkok today following the withdrawals of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. What do these guys think this is, the WTA? Not only did Roddick show up for the tournament, but his injury didn't occur until a practice session on Tuesday. At least his knees are skid-free, right?

Roddick's sometimes-rumored-girlfriend Maria Sharapova also used the W-word on Wednesday, pulling out of Stuttgart with a lingering shoulder injury. Maybe Maria saw the AIPT post of her winning zero games against Davenport in 2005 and she's now in hiding in her hotel room. Or her friend Paris called her and they're going to crash Octoberfest together.

Doubles specialist Marcelo Melo was banned for two months from the ATP Tour for a doping violation. Melo plans to take the two months to hang out with good friend Mariano Puerta.

Joel Drucker puts in his two cents on how to improve player development in the U.S. My advice? Bring back the Cap.

Look for an upcoming special on Chinese women's tennis one year before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.