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.
