From ESPN.com
Wednesday April 4, 2001
Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Tuesday, tennis player Andy Roddick dropped by to take user questions in chat.
Roddick is 7-4 on the season including a stunning 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Pete Sampras in the third round of the Ericsson Open. With his quarterfinal finish, Roddick jumped from No. 119 to No. 88 in the ATP Entry System. Roddick has been labeled as the most promising young American since Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier emerged in the late 1980s.
Roddick, who has been blistering his recent opponents with a 135+ mph serve, will head next to the Atlanta Tennis Challenge on April 23.
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ESPNTrey Phillips from [209.99.74.72], at 5:55pm ET
Andy,
Great going at the Ericsson. It was surreal watching you beat Sampras, remembering you as john's little brother at the courtyard. what has it meant to have tarik as your coach. what do ya'll think is the most pressing issue for you to work on to break the top 30 and more. i know time is the major thing, but what would you do if you had to play yourself? thank you, trey phillips austin, tx
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Andy Roddick at 5:56pm ET
Hey Trey. good to hear from you after awhile. Tarik has been an unreal part of my success and I owe everything to him.
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ESPNCruz from [216.52.207.56], at 5:56pm ET
What kind of raquet do you use? What kind of string and tension? How did you choose this raquet? How much does it weigh?
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Andy Roddick at 5:57pm ET
I use the Babalat pure drive. I use Polymono strings in the main and gut in the crosses. I love it!!
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ESPNserious_game from [12.29.112.114], at 5:58pm ET
Who are the talented US juniors to look for??
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Andy Roddick at 5:59pm ET
Robby Ginepri is one to look for. I played him in the US Open final last year and he is playing great. Also look for a player out of Athens Georgia currently enrolled at school there ... his name is Bo Hodge.
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ESPNHerdman from [206.212.31.239], at 5:59pm ET
Andy,
I saw you play last year in Washington and was hoping you would be coming back to the Legg Mason again this year. Any set plans for the end of the summer?
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Andy Roddick at 6:00pm ET
Yeah I love the Washington tourney. It is great there and I am planning on going again this year.
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ESPNMarty from [24.4.253.165], at 6:00pm ET
Hello Andy, Describe what it was like beating Pete Sampras at The Ericsson Open last week?
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Andy Roddick at 6:01pm ET
Thanks. It was an honor to beat Pete. He and Andre are the two greatest ever so I was thrilled that I got the opportunity to play them.
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ESPNDavid from [65.13.21.9], at 6:03pm ET
Just wondering do you plan on ever doing college or strictly focusing on your promising tennis career?
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Andy Roddick at 6:03pm ET
I am not sure right now. College is great but I am 100 percent focused on tennis right now. Maybe someday when I am done.
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ESPNJohn Begert from [206.50.227.3], at 6:04pm ET
Do you grunt like your brother? I used to hear his grunts from inside Stegeman Coliseum during the NCAAs.
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Andy Roddick at 6:05pm ET
Yeah my brother was an animal when he used ot play. I grunt also so I guess it runs in the family :)
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ESPNReza from [209.185.202.99], at 6:05pm ET
Andy hi,
Agassi, Sampras, what do you have to say about these two??How do you compare them??which one you look more upto??how does it feel to be their successor???
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Andy Roddick at 6:06pm ET
Pete and Andre are great champions and classy people. Andre and I have become close. We have practiced a bunch and he gives me advice a lot ... he is a great guy!
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ESPNDaniel from [207.17.185.2], at 6:06pm ET
Andy, Great run in Miami. You've got some serious game. How do you train now that you are a touring professinal? Good luck!
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Andy Roddick at 6:08pm ET
I train the same as I always have. I work very hard and try to focus as much as possible while training. I am gonna continue to work hard and not change anything
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ESPNMarty from [24.4.253.165], at 6:08pm ET
Hello Andy, Describe how it feels to be one of Tennis's next Great Young Superstars?
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Andy Roddick at 6:09pm ET
I don't think I am a superstar by any means. There are a lot of young players doing better than I am. I am confident however and am looking forward to the years to come.
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ESPNKelly Thom from [152.163.195.201], at 6:09pm ET
How did it feel to see your face on the two page spred in tennis magazine last year? (I know a lot of girls up in Wisconsin enjoyed it! :)
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Andy Roddick at 6:10pm ET
It is still extremely weird to see myself on tv or in a magazine. I am not used to it at all.
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ESPNJason from [198.242.56.29], at 6:11pm ET
Andy, Do you want to play Davis Cup as much as Pat Rafter does? Was it hard to sit out against the Swiss (or should I say against Roger Federer!)? Can you play doubles? Do you think you can inspire to Sampras to play Davis Cup ever again? Would you like to play doubles with Pete or Andre for Davis Cup?....Is it just a fantasy?
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Andy Roddick at 6:12pm ET
I am extremely committed to Davis Cup. I am excited about the future of it, and I hope to participate for many years. I would love to play doubles with Pete or Andre anywhere. It would be a blast.
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ESPNRuss from [216.173.67.4], at 6:13pm ET
What do you feel, if any, are your weaknesses and you feel you need to improve to move into the upper echelon of men's tennis?
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Andy Roddick at 6:13pm ET
I definitly have weaknesses but if I told you everyopne would know. haha. I have a lot to work on but that excites me. I am doing OK now but I think I will get better.
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ESPNDaniel from [207.17.185.2], at 6:14pm ET
Andy,
What do you like to do when you're not training and playing tennis?
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Andy Roddick at 6:15pm ET
I enjoy visiting my bro in Athens. I am in Athens right now actually. I also enjoy playing pick up ball and golf. I like chillin' with my friends as much as possible also.
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ESPNJohn from [24.187.106.21], at 6:15pm ET
Do you think a rivalry will be between you and Jan-Micheal Gambill will show up soon and who will be the winner?
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Andy Roddick at 6:16pm ET
I hope so. I think it would be healthy. Jan Mike and I are great friends and we are cheering for each other. We will see the outcome if we have a rivalry :) He is a great player.
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ESPNKorry Miller from [12.39.67.140] at 6:17pm ET
Are you related to University of Georgia Tennis Star, John Roddick???
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Andy Roddick at 6:17pm ET
Yeah he is my brother.
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ESPNTommy from [207.30.137.3], at 6:17pm ET
Andy, Have you considered mixed doubles with let's say a Capriatti in the future
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Andy Roddick at 6:18pm ET
I would love to play mixed doubles. Capriati is an awesome player and is doing great!! We are all happy for her. Maybe I will play some mixed at the US Open this year.
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ESPNmichael from [205.188.197.59], at 6:19pm ET
How did you develop a 135+ swing and can you hit it faster?
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Andy Roddick at 6:19pm ET
I am not sure how it came about. I didn't always have a big serve. I just kinda throw it up and wack it. Not much technique involved.
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ESPNDennis from [209.71.11.167], at 6:20pm ET
Andy,
I had the opportunity to cover the Ericsson last week and I noticed that after your matches you signed every autograph that people had asked for. Being that you were the person asking for the autograph two years ago and now you are the one being asked to sign, how important do you feel that it is to give back to game.
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Andy Roddick at 6:21pm ET
I love interacting with fans. If I can make someone happy by signing my name then I will sign every last one. I appreciate my fans so much and I like to show it whenever possible.
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ESPNJason from [208.50.80.71], at 6:21pm ET
Do you feel any added pressure now, since you're viewed as the next up and coming American player to watch. Also, what are you going to do to follow up on your amazing results at the Ericsson and show that it wasn't "luck"?
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Andy Roddick at 6:22pm ET
I have heard the up and coming stuff for over a year now so it doesn't bother me at all. I embrace and kinda like it. As for following up the Ericsson we will just have to wait and see ... I don't plan on going away.
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ESPNJason from [208.50.80.71], at 6:23pm ET
Since you and Jan-Micheal have won a doubles tournament together, do you see this as a permanent team-up? I think America needs a good male doubles team, and with the Williams sisters, this would be a HUGE boost for doubles tennis.
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Andy Roddick at 6:24pm ET
Jan Mike and I played really well and won in Delray. It was a little suprising because it was our first time playing together. I hope we can make it a full time thing.
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ESPNThomas from [128.253.175.125], at 6:24pm ET
Andy, do you plan to continue playing Davis Cup tennis for the United States?
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Andy Roddick at 6:25pm ET
Yeah I plan on playing as long as captain Mac picks me for the team :)
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ESPNbarry from [207.51.237.146], at 6:26pm ET
hello andy, with your effort at the ericsson last week. how do you feel you can do on the lawns of wimbledon this year since you have to serve to be effective on grass?
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Andy Roddick at 6:26pm ET
I hope to play well at Wimbledon. My serve should be a definite advantage there so we will see how things go.
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ESPNroddickfans from [151.185.11.249], at 6:27pm ET
Do you feel that you have taken on the responsibility of a role model to young american tennis players that look up to you?
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Andy Roddick at 6:28pm ET
I would love to be a role model. I hope that I can be a good one and set a good example. I will always be there to help out the younger players in any way.
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ESPNDallas from [192.139.36.126], at 6:29pm ET
Andy,
With all the time you put into tennis, do you have time for a personal life, or a love life? If so, do you have a girlfriend?
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Andy Roddick at 6:30pm ET
Yeah I have a very normal life outside of tennis and am currently seeing someone.
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ESPNtennis__bummer from [12.29.112.114], at 6:30pm ET
Who is your coach??
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Andy Roddick at 6:31pm ET
My coach is a frenchman by the name of Tarik Benhabiles ... he is the man!
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ESPNBrian from [129.49.12.13] at 6:32pm ET
How do you feel about your advisor and competitor, Andre Agassi? He's someone you have been compared to as far as the next generation of young stars, but for now, he seems to be unbeatable.
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Andy Roddick at 6:33pm ET
I admire Andre so much. He is the best player in the world right now. He is playing so well.
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ESPNmatt from [66.32.86.89], at 6:36pm ET
Do you know Robby Genepri? He went to the tennis academy I go to. Do you think Robby will do well on tour?
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Andy Roddick at 6:36pm ET
Robby is a good friend of mine. He will do well on tour. He qualified for the Ericsson and has much more to come.
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Andy Roddick at 6:37pm ET
Thanks guys. I am off to get some Japanese food now. Thanks for coming. I appreciate it and will see ya!!!
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