Roddick has the world at his feet
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2004-01-14/
200401141074059183705.html
Roddick has the world at his feet
by Jordan Chong
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
A year during which you win six titles and finish on top of the world could
hardly be described as a 'lucky' one.
But that's the first word that came to Andy Roddick when he was asked to
describe what it felt like to reach the No.1 ranking at the end of 2003.
The 21-year-old's US Open victory in front of the adoring New York fans
elevated him to the status of celebrity usually reserved for stars of the
stage and screen.
He returns to Melbourne with that profile, and an Australian crowd looking
to see him again produce moments that they will never forget - such as last
year's epic five-setter against Younes El Aynaoui.
Before he broke through at Flushing Meadows, his semi-final appearance (where
he lost to Rainer Schuettler) at last year's Australian Open was the young
American's best Grand Slam result.
The man who has overseen Roddick's rapid rise, Andre Agassi's former coach
Brad Gilbert, thinks his new charge will handle all before him.
"He is very levelled-headed. He's a good kid. He just can't forget that he's
a tennis player," said Gilbert, who took on the role in the middle of last
year after Roddick decided to move on from his previous mentor, Tarik
Benhabiles.
"He's very well grounded and I think he's going to do a good job at it."
"It's about getting better and keeping improving and pressing yourself to get
better. At 21 years old he can do everything better."
As far as extra-curricular activities are concerned, Gilbert believes that
Roddick should be able to do what he wants off the court and have new
experiences.
"Why not? He enjoys himself. He's 21 years old. He's supposed to have fun."
"It's important, no matter what you do, to use discretion, and I think he's
doing a good job at it."
One of the things Roddick has learnt from his breakthrough year is that the
extra opportunities, sponsorships and invitations all arise from his ability
to win matches.
"I definitely enjoy winning the matches first and foremost - and that feeling
that you get right afterwards. The other stuff is nice but it's the actual
tennis matches that make it all good."
Given the expectations now placed on him by the tennis world, it would be no
surprise if the added pressure did take its toll.
But Roddick dismisses any such notion, saying the desire to win is always
there, regardless of his current ranking or what has come before.
"It's either one pressure or another. It's either when is he going to win or
when is he going to win again."
"From day to day it hasn't really changed too much. It was a big thrill for
me - it was a dream come true to win the (US) Open - but as far as day to day
life, it's not much different," Roddick said.
After playing in Sydney last year, Roddick has opted to follow defending
champion Agassi's example by taking part in the Commonwealth Bank
International at Kooyong as his warm-up event for the 2004 Australian Open.
It's a path Gilbert knows well, having coached Agassi from 1994 to 2002. He
believes the format will allow Roddick to build some match fitness after he
lost to Jonas Bjorkman in the second round at Doha.
"It's nice to just come over. Everyone has a different own route but I like
staying in Melbourne. It's worked well for Andre and I think it's a good idea
for Andy."
"Hopefully in those three matches he'll get some match fitness in and
hopefully his game will pick up next week."
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