Andy Roddick's Olympic snub is actually more of a declaration of intent.

The world number six has claimed that he is choosing the Legg Mason Classic in Washington over the Beijing Olympics because the US tournament prepares him better for the US Open.

As both the Olympics and the Legg Mason Classic happen at exactly the same time A-Rod had no qualms about turning his nose up at a potential gold medal in favour of what he considers good preparation for a much important prize.

'Roddick is completely right to snub the Olympics, an event that in my opinion should be dropped from the Games' roster'


Roddick won that Grand Slam event back in 2003 and is clearly gearing up for a repeat performance in 2008. Roddick stated: "My goal every summer is to win the US Open, I've won the Classic three times and defending my title best prepares me for another Slam."

Roddick has taken pleasure in a flourishing start to the season, bagging his second title of the year (and 25th in his career) – in a 6-7 (8-10) 6-4 6-2 triumph over Spanish rival Feliciano Lopez in the Dubai Championship final.

To suddenly drop all his preparations and move on to the Olympics would be very foolish and could disrupt his rhythm and spoil his momentum in the build up to the trophy that he so desperately wants to win again, the US Open.

I think that Roddick is completely right to snub the Olympics, an event that in my opinion should be dropped from the Games' roster. Such a move would be pretty controversial since tennis was part of the original programme in 1896.

However, the winning of Grand Slams is regarded by everyone as the pinnacle of the game, and in comparison the Olympics are just an energy sapping sideshow.

Added to this is the fact that there are absolutely no ATP ranking points to be gained playing in the Olympics and there is always a risk of injury.

A similar argument can be made with football, a sport that also seems too big, with too many tournaments and fixtures already, to be distracted by the Olympics.

An Olympics that features tennis will continue to mean stars like Andy Roddick opt to miss out on it, and with a widespread indifference to the Games perhaps the Olympic Federation could consider at least only allowing amateurs to participate in the tennis competition.

In the case of Andy Roddick, his preparations for the US Open obviously are far more important than partaking in the Olympic Games.