[情報] Roddick Knows He's a Marked Man
Roddick Knows He's a Marked Man
Sportinglife.com
January 13, 2004
Andy Roddick heads to Melbourne for next week's Australian Open knowing there's
a bullseye on his back and everyone wants to shoot him down.
But the world number one is armed and ready to blast away the opposition at the
year's first grand slam tournament, even though he recognises that there is no
"magic potion" to guarantee success in 2004.
The young American won his maiden grand slam at the US Open in September and
finished the year atop the world rankings, above the Wimbledon champion Roger
Federer.
This year promises a mighty tussle between Roddick and Swiss Federer for the
top ranking. Roddick realises he faces a battle to maintain his world number
one spot.
"I feel like I gained a little bit more respect from the players, but with that
being said, there's also a bullseye on my back every time I go out there now,"
said Roddick.
"They'd all love to beat the guy who is ranked number one.
"I know I have a couple of times that I have done it in the past, so it does
make it harder, but I enjoy challenges like that."
His partnership with coach Brad Gilbert now more than six months old, Roddick's
progress in that period has been immense and he puts the improvement down to
commitment.
"I think you just got to keep working hard. I don't think there's some magic
potion and obviously I have always heard that it's tougher to stay number one,"
Roddick added.
"I haven't experienced it yet, but I am definitely going to take that as fact.
"I am just going to have to keep playing.
"I am not going to psych myself out by numbers. I am just going to try go out
there and keep improving and doing the things that I have been doing the last
couple of months."
Federer won the season-closing Masters Cup in Houston to close in on Roddick
and cement his position at number two in the rankings.
With a 5-1 win-loss record against the American, Federer is the man most likely
to test Roddick's resolve to remain on his lofty perch.
They could meet in the final of the Australian Open, which would set off the
season in fine style.
Roddick, however, would rather avoid Federer. Should they come together, then
Roddick admits he must make a good start or risk being blown off court as he
was by the Swiss in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
"Obviously he's gotten the better of me so far," Roddick conceded.
"I feel like the first three times we played it was earlier on in both of our
careers and he was just much better at that point, plain and simple.
"I didn't have nearly the amount of polish on my game that he had.
"The last two times I have lost to him have been first set tie-breakers and I
think that's crucial; whereas normally I can find a way to win those, he's
gotten the better of me in those.
"He's a great front-runner. Once you get down to him you don't see him just all
of a sudden take his foot off the gas, so I think it's crucial to try to play
well from the start against Federer."
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※ 編輯: carillon 來自: 61.231.97.207 (01/13 23:38)
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