Rusedski riddle

May 2009 | by Kevin McIndoe

greg rusedskiGreg Rusedski seems to be still playing a guessing game, but the ex-US Open finalist's comeback talk is a bit like the way he used to be on court - unpredictable, endearing yet frustrating.

The ball started rolling with rumblings about the former British ace started towards the end of 2008. After two years' retirement, aged 35, the former British no1 with the distinctly Canadian accent offered to play in the Davis Cup. 

But Davis Cup skipper John Lloyd - also an ex-British no1 - soon shot down the veteran's offer. And the LTA swiftly refuted any talk of return by the popular player.

But back in January Rusedski made claims that he was going to return to the AFP Tour. When there was no sign of him, the Canadian-born star revealed in February: "I'm not coming back!"

So whether the amicable Rusedski will appear at Eastbourne's Devonshire Park to pick up some much-needed practice before what must be a final shot at Wimbledon, remains to be seen. 

He would have to be given a wildcard entry to make the main draw in both grass court events, although that would not seem to be too much of a problem for the adopted Brit as he could be huge hit for the organisers of the inaugural AEGON International at Devonshire Park.

And Rusedski's cavorting on the BBC'S TV show Dancing On Ice at least proved that he remains a popular celebrity even if his footwork is not quite as good as it used to be.

greg rusedskiBut he did take to the courts just before the end of 2008 and pulled off an impressive display at the annual veteran's exhibition at London's Royal Albert Hall. Maybe that performance massaged his confidence - and his bank balance - to make Rusedski suddenly show interest in rejoining the Tour in 2009.

But Lloyd returned a volley of thoughts about why he considered Rusedski was not up to the Tour schedule and questioned the motive by asking: "Why put himself through it all again?"

The Canadian who embraced Britain in 1995 had a sparkling tennis career that propelled him as high as world no4 and included a grand slam runner-up spot at the US Open. And Rusedski even mastered victories over Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi when they were the leading players on the circuit.

But Rusedski was soon relegated by the fickle British tennis fans when clean-living Tim Henman, a dull Home Counties player with a faux fist pump, took over as British no1 on and off the court.

greg rusedskiThis was shocking, as Rusedski was always great entertainment and grinned all the time. With a Canadian background, he was a throwback to when stars were happy to react with the audience and become a showman, He upset authorities, coaches and umpires, was cleared for nandrolene use yet still found time to beat many of the world's top leading players.

While his on-off stances on making a comeback continue to confuse, Rusedski claimed in early 2009: "I'm going to go into the ATP events and see what happens, and I'll take it from there."

The reality is that he would have to rely on wildcards for entries into all the tournaments until he can back to winning ways and climb into the world's top 100. But tournament promoters may prefer to give a local youngster a shot and overlook a veteran past hiss sell-by date. 

greg rusedskiEven the legendary Bjorn Bjorg and Martina Navratilova failed in their attempts to recreate the past when they returned to old haunts ... and in recent years no one over 30 has successfully rejoined the circuit.

And despite being a top five player in his prime, Rusedski was never considered to be a superstar like Agassi, Borg, Jim Courier and Sampras. 

When Rusedski announced his intentions, ex-Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek hit back by saying:, "If Sampras was seriously thinking of coming back, then it would be quite different."

I'm going to the ATP events and see what happens, and I'll take it from there.

- Greg Rusedski