Andy Roddick's Decision to Skip Summer Olympics a Mixed-Bag

All of a sudden, Andy Roddick is everywhere.

The former top-ranked tennis baller entered the recent Dubai Tennis Championships with questions about his game and relevancy hanging over his Lacoste-wearing head. However, with the speed of his record-breaking serve, he split with coach Jimmy Connors and defeated the No. 2 and 3 players in the world to win the title. And, with Roger Federer still working towards regaining full health after battling mononucleosis, Roddick is poised for big triumphs during tennis' verion of March Madness - The Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells and The Sony Ericsson Championships in Miami.

However, Roddick announced today he is opting out of competing at the Beijing Olympics this summer to defend his title at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington, DC and prepare for the US Open (which begins the day after the Games end on August 24.) This decision will no doubt impair the US team's chances of medaling at the Games since Roddick is the US's top male player.

Is this a smart decision by Roddick? Yes and no. Yes, because the 25-year old may be the last baller standing at the US Open after the Olympians make the long trip back from Beijing. Plus, he's one of the few ballers to consistently support his country in Davis Cup competition (even more than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) so no one could accuse him of turning his back on the team.

However, the decision may not bode well for him with the US media and fans. Roddick is already a target of constant media scrutiny (myself included), from accusations of underachieving to being a one-shot wonder with his serve.

Only time will tell if he made the right choice to stay home. But, all of a sudden, Roddick seems to be making the right ones after all.