| Andy Roddick | |||||||
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Birthdate: August 30, 1982 Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Status: Pro (2000) |
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 180 lbs. Plays: Right-handed |
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Highlights: 2001 - Won the Legg Mason Tennis Classic - Upset top seed Gustavo Kuerten at the Tennis Masters Series - Montreal - Won his second title (just one week after winning his first) at the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston - Won his first title at the Verizon Tennis Challenge in Atlanta - Upset Pete Sampras on his way to reaching the quarterfinals at the Ericsson Open - Won his first ATP doubles title (with Jan-Michael Gambill) at the Citrix Tennis Championships - Played for the U.S. Davis Cup team, winning his singles match against Switzerland 2000 - Led U.S. team to ITF Sunshine Cup title in his final Junior event - Clinched year-end No. 1 junior singles ranking at the ITF Sunshine Cup - Winner at the Austin Challenger (10/00) and Burbank Challenger events - US Open Junior Champion and appeared in singles in the main draw of the men's Open - Advanced to quarterfinals at Legg Mason in DC - Won first round at Ericsson Open, defeating Fernando Vincente (#41 in the world) before losing to Andre Agassi (#1 in the world) in second round - Banana Bowl singles winner - Australian Open junior singles winner - Finalist in junior doubles at Australian Open (with partner Tres Davis) - Finalist at Australian Hardcourt and winner in doubles (with partner Tres Davis) 1999 - Winner in singles and doubles at Eddie Herr (First player ever to win the Orange Bowl, Eddie Herr and Australian Open Juniors in succession) - First round doubles winner at U.S. Open at the age of 16 - Winner at LTA International Junior Championships - Doubles winner at USTA National Closed Championships 1998 - Winner at Costa Rica Cup in both singles and doubles - Winner at Yucatan Cup - Winner in doubles at International Grasscourts - Singles finalist and winner in doubles at Thailand Open Junior Championships Interesting Fact: - Roddick is a huge fan of Nebraska Cornhusker football. |
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Sportline.com recently spoke with Roddick at the ITF Sunshine Cup in Key Biscanyne, Fl. Here is what he had to say:
SportsLine: How old were you when you first realized you were good enough to make tennis your career? Andy Roddick: I never really thought about it until I was 16, then last year I thought I might do it full time.
SportsLine: What is your training schedule like? Andy Roddick: When I'm home I like to take it easy because the road takes it out of you. I play for about an hour and a half and maybe an hour of fitness in the afternoon.
SportsLine: Where does your serve (consistently over 130 mph) come from? Andy Roddick: I don't know. It's definitely not my biceps. Bulk doesn't really effect tennis players, it's just timing and what you can do with your wrists. I don't think about it, I just throw it up and hit it.
SportsLine: What is your favorite thing about being a tennis player? Andy Roddick: I love competition and I get to travel and meet people. I have friends all over the world. I think it's pretty cool for an 18-year old kid to be able to say that. You definitely get a sense of culture when you travel around, but my favorite place is home.
SportsLine: Who has influenced your game the most ? Andy Roddick: My coach, Tarik Benhabiles. I've always been able to hit the ball hard, but he's shown me how to play the game and win points without jacking the ball. That's what took my game to another level.
SportsLine: Who do you most look forward to playing? Andy Roddick: I'm just looking forward to playing everyone and getting into the flow of things. I've already played with Andre (Agassi), Pete (Sampras) at Davis Cup, and Jim Courier at a few charity events.
SportsLine: Do you ever get discouraged with your game? Andy Roddick: Of course! Everybody goes through stages in their game where you're not feeling well or hitting the ball well.
SportsLine: How do you overcome that? Andy Roddick: I've come to learn that you're going to have bad weeks, but I have confidence enough in myself to know that it will get good again. A lot of players are stubborn about their games. If my game's not working I'll win a match ugly if I have to. When you win an ugly match it gives you confidence that you can win if you're not really playing well.
SportsLine: Do you feel a lot of pressure from all the expectations people have for you? Andy Roddick: No, I look at it as an opportunity. Everyone is backing me.
SportsLine: Have you ever really argued with the ump? Andy Roddick: Oh yeah. I enjoy chatting with the ump. I usually like to keep it kind of light.
SportsLine: Who is the nicest player you've met on the tour? Andy Roddick: Probably Andre (Agassi). He's asked me to come hit with him a couple of times and he's given me lots of advice.
SportsLine: Have you ever been intimidated by an opponent? Andy Roddick: No, I don't get intimidated. If they try to intimidate me it just fires me up. I think I play better if I have a reason to beat someone.
SportsLine: Do you think it intimidates your opponents when you fire a serve past them at 140 mph? Andy Roddick: I hope so. It won't happen at the next level though.
SportsLine: What kind of music do you like to listen to? Andy Roddick: I have everything form oldies, to country, to rap, to heavy metal. You name it I have it.
SportsLine: Do you feel like you lost any part of your childhood while you were training? Andy Roddick: No, I have always gotten to do what a normal child could do. My parents wanted me to have somewhat of a normal life. I don't think tennis really took too much away.
SportsLine: What would you like to pursue after you retire? Andy Roddick: Couch-sitting and watching football. |
