That's the opinion of Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras, and the wonder kid, who regularly belts down serves at 140MPH, is coming to the Nottingham Open, June 18-23, the week before Wimbledon.

Roddick, who sensationally beat Sampras at last month's Ericsson Open Miami, has never played on grass in a professional event before, but he can't wait to start.

"I'm looking forward to Nottingham and the grass court season," said Roddick. "It's a chance to show what I can do. I played Junior Wimbledon two years ago, but I haven't played much on grass since then. I will come out with a lot of energy and hopefully something good will happen."

Roddick, the World Junior No. 1 last year, has all the tools to do well in Nottingham, on the fastest surface of all. He didn't just beat Sampras in Miami, at times he almost decapitated the seven-time Wimbledon Champion with the speed of his serves.

"The way he played today, the future of American tennis is looking very good," said Sampras afterwards. "He possesses a big cannon. He's serving consistently in the 130's (mph) and making them. That's pretty tough to play against."

"I'm looking forward to Nottingham"

It was startling stuff, and showed that American tennis has little to worry about. With the likes of Sampras, Agassi, and Chang entering their 30's, there were fears for the future, but Roddick, who stands 6'1", and answers to the nickname 'A-Rod,' has changed all that.

As a 10 year-old Roddick watched his hero Agassi play at Wimbledon on his television at home.

"I used to get up in the mornings and watch Breakfast at Wimbledon," said Roddick. "I'll never forget the Wimbledon Final of 1992 when Agassi played Ivanisevic - to see Andre come through and win where people where doubting that he could, was amazing. I have been to Wimbledon a couple of times and it is just one of those majestic places."

These days, Agassi is his opponent and a regular practice partner. They played twice last year, Agassi winning both, but Roddick showed enough to convince the Las Vegas showman that the sport could have a real star on its hands.

"I've practiced with him a lot," said Agassi. "I think he has a real, real nice game. He has a great presence out there on the court."

A year has changed a lot in the life of the 18-year-old.

After losing to Agassi in Miami last year, Roddick admitted. ``I was basically going to the court to take my beating, and then leave."

Since then though, he won the US Open junior title, a couple of titles on the ATP Challenger circuit, before beating Sampras.

"This year, I thought if I played well and stuck around, I could get some opportunities, and I did," he said.

Roddick has never been to Nottingham before, but he can't wait to sample the atmosphere generated by thousands of local school children, who come to the event every year.

"It makes it fun because I was one of those kids going to these kind of tournaments not long ago - that's what it's all about," he said.