MELBOURNE, Australia -- A boisterous group of students from a small Minnesota college has been making Andy Roddick feel right at home at the Australian Open.
Along with the Greek, Swedish and other national contingents that make annual sojourns to Melbourne Park, the patriotic undergrads from Gustavus Adolphus College have quickly earned a reputation for their fervent support that includes a variety of cheerleader-like chants during changeovers.
Roddick embraced their support during his 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 rout Friday of France's Julien Benneteau.
The fans had something of a running conversation with Roddick. After he broke Benneteau in the opening game of the third set, Roddick told them: "I got something for you real soon."
As promised, he whacked the ball up to them after finishing off the match with his 17th ace.
They drew the attention of TV commentator Jim Courier, who asked Roddick which he'd rather have backing him: this tanned group with a number of women who "seem like they spent more on tickets than clothes" or the loud backers of Greek Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, Roddick's next opponent.
"I have a bunch of half-naked women," a smiling Roddick pointed out as Baghdatis fans could be heard cheering out in the concourse. "He has a bunch of men. I know who I'd rather have dinner with me."
Sitting together with three U.S. flags under a broiling sun about halfway up the stands, Roddick's included a row of women in red, blue and silver spangled hats who had "WE (heart) ANDY" spelled out, letter by letter, on their bare stomachs. The men's bare chests read "R-O-D-D-I-C-K."
The students were here as part of a sports ethics class.
While frequently loud and unabashedly supporting Roddick, the group said they're trying to set an example by only cheering for their man and not against his opponent, unlike some fans who have annoyed players by shouting during their service motions.
"We are working on some of the decorum and etiquette, though," said Jaime Gaard, a third-year student at the 2,500-student liberal arts school in St. Peter.
"We're just a rowdy crowd."
Gaard, who said she has been to the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, said she "loved the laid-back etiquette here."
Her older brother played against Roddick when they were juniors, she said.
"We have some home video," she said. "He was so different then. He didn't have the big serve yet."
Brian Laumeyer, 21, said the group ran into Roddick at Sydney airport and wished him luck, "But I don't know if he's put it together that we're the same group."
The students were wrapping up their five days at the Open and lamented that they won't be around to try to outdo Baghdatis' fans.
"It'll be a little quieter here the second week," Gaard sighed.
