Q. Special place, I would think, for an American player to be back in the US Open playing in New York. Your thoughts on this particular Grand Slam?

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, it’s obviously the one if you’re an American you look forward to the most every year. There’s had also a certain energy unlike any other tournament. It’s probably not only a tennis tournament but an event, things like today going on outside. The things here going on here. It is a special place for me.

Q. Having been a champion here, Roger was talking about the fact that while he’s been not getting the results this year as he has in the past, but having the experience of, you know, getting it done, is always psychologically a big help coming in. Is it for you?

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I mean, it was a little while ago when I won, so you’d like to think it’s still relevant, but who knows.

I think the biggest thing about New York is playing a night session. It’s a different animal than any other tournament. I feel comfortable in the fact that I’ve been in most situations here at this tournament, good and bad.

So I’d like to think I’m ready for it.

Q. How are you? How do you feel you’re playing right now?

ANDY RODDICK: Getting better. I’ve actual enjoyed having a practice week that’s been healthy. I’ve kind of been going from not playing and then jumping straight into tournaments, which isn’t ideal, you know, but you’ve got to kind of play the hand you’re dealt.

So it’s been a good week, and, you know, hopefully I’ll be there when the final comes around.

Q. You said you’ve been having some training. How about the two weeks where you weren’t playing in the US Open Tour instead of playing Beijing, would that help you here where you had some good results?

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I played ?? I probably played average in those two events, but it definitely helped me get back into match shape, you know. I don’t feel like I was in great shape going into LA. I’d been off for a little while.

And even just playing points in the rhythm of a match, I think that helped.

Q. How does your shoulder feel now?

ANDY RODDICK: It feels fine. Yeah, it’s good. Read more… »

Celebrating Lacoste’s 75 Anniversary at Macy’s (Click to view)

9th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis (Click to view)

The second event was the 9th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis event, where Andy donned a cooking apron and got to work in the ‘kitchen’. He also held his own on the red carpet for the event. Click the above links to access each set of candids from each event.

I apologise for the lack of updates and results concerning Andy at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic tournament!

Not to fear, I have over 50 images from Andy’s participation in the tournament to add to the gallery… so keep a look out for them tomorrow!

“I really enjoy it here,� Andy noted after the match as he now moves on to Round 2 after defeating Paraguay’s Ramon Delgado 6-3, 7-6(4). Though both sets boasted Andy earning the first break, Delgado getting one back, then Andy taking the lead, the second kept you on the edge of your seat until the last point.

Andy opened with a 139 mph serve. From the get-go, he was unleashing his forehand. Delgado quickly picked up on it and played mostly to his backhand. Andy’s first double fault gave away the first break, 2-1, though Andy immediately broke back and broke Delgado’s next two service games to serve. Holding one more game a piece, Andy served out the set. In 37 minutes, Andy seemed to be smooth sailing into the second.

“It was a mental error, I played sloppy after the break,� Andy admitted to losing two match points. His serving weapon earning him 16 aces turned into his brick wall when he double faulted at 5-4 with the match on the line. Delgado used Andy’s frustration to his advantage, and capitalized by breaking back to even the score at 5-all. Andy, however, was not going quietly into the warm DC night and cranked it up a notch to hold to 6 all for the all-powerful tie-breaker. Not only did Andy’s first serves “click� again, but so did his offense and they earned him two match points on his racquet. And just like that, “click� – a 137mph lightening ace down the T to Delgado’s backhand slammed into the back wall to chime that the Paraguayan’s time is up.

“I’m going to bear down mentally from here on out.� Andy now moves into the second round to face Eduardo Schwank of Argentina on Thursday in Washington D.C. Stay tuned to AR.com for a look at his next opponent and what’s still to come. Go Andy!

Source: Andy Roddick.com

View live action photos from the match (Click to view)

It took Andy a while to get into a groove and find a way to push the Argentine, and del Potro immediately capitalized on that. Andy struggled to hold serve and was only able to hold off one break point of the four in the set. After getting on the board at 1-4, a medical timeout was called as Andy had the trainer stretch out his lower back. This gave our American Firepower a chance to regain his composure and refeul in the shade, though del Potro still managed to run away with the set.

Andy started figuring out the 19-year-old’s game plan and began to fight back. Serve and volleying cut off del Potro’s attack down the middle of the court and forced him to make errors, which kept him far away from breaking Andy again. Though his serve and flat, ferocious forehand were lightening quick today, Andy pushed del Potro to a tie-break.

In his element, under pressure and in crunch time, Andy pulled out all the stops to start the ‘breaker right. With a winner and an ace, Andy got the crowd on his side and took the lead 2-1, though that was the last time he’d get on the board for the final. Del Potro held serve and then earned the mini break when Andy’s cross court backhand landed just outside the sideline. A volley war was then won by the 6’6� soon-to-be champ to lead 5-2 and went on to serve out the match, 6-7(2).

“I was really happy to make it to the finals… even if I did get my butt kicked,� Andy joked with the media in his press conference. Now’s it’s onward and upward, or rather eastward as Andy packs up and heads to Washington D.C. to defend his title at the Legg Mason Classic.

Recap Source: Andy Roddick.com

I added a new layout to the website as you might notice and changed the coding around a little bit. I hope you like this look, it’s alot more professional and neat and darker than the last few looks we’ve had here. I have also added a photoshoot to the gallery that is from 2001 and is a shoot Andy did for Men’s Health. Click the link below to access the entire set for a step back in time (so to speak). Expect coverage of Andy’s match in the final of the Countrywide Classic as the end result happens and images are made available!

View Men’s Health 2001 Photoshoot (Click to view)

View live action photos from the match (Click to view)

“I was really happy with it,� Roddick explained in his press conference afterwards. “I think it clicked in yesterday in the second set, my match there. I’ve been saying the last couple of weeks, if I can just get a couple of matches in, then I?ll start going the right way.�

All of Roddick’s service percentages tallied into the 70s, and faced only four break points, all of which he saved. Since the start of the tournament, Roddick has only dropped four games per match. His dominance has led him straight into the finals where he will face nineteen-year-old Juan Martin del Potro who is in his third consecutive ATP final.

Roddick is aware of the potential danger in del Potro given his thirteen match winning streak. “He’s full of confidence, that?s for sure,� Roddick noted. “I think the biggest thing is for me to try and take his time away a little bit.�

Both players will be bringing tremendous games to the table on Sunday after coming off convincing wins throughout the tournament. Tomorrow will be the first career meeting for the two and will be televised on ESPN2 starting at 2 p.m.

Recap Source: Andy Roddick.com

View live action photos from the match (Click to view)

“The second set was probably the first good set I?ve won in four months or so,� Roddick said in his post-match press conference. “I felt like it clicked and the ball started doing what I wanted, so that’s a good sign.�

Despite his worries and precautions against his neck injury, Roddick seems to be firing away in excellent form and health. “Each match I play it’s going better,� he said. “It’s just that I haven’t been able to stay in a tournament long enough, I haven’t been healthy enough. Tonight was a definite step in the right direction.�

Roddick’s win reflects his great statistics. He served out six aces with no double faults and won 72% of his service points. He is on the right track to winning this title, and even submitting himself as a very serious contender at the US Open.

“I just need matches,� he said. With this solid form, Roddick should roll through his next matches, ensuring that confidence.

Roddick next faces Denis Gremelmayr of Germany in the semifinals.

Recap Source: Andy Roddick.com

View live action photos from the match (Click to view)

Roddick dictated play from the start, making it difficult for Vemic to come up with any type of plays that would dislodge or wrong-foot the American. Roddick hit twice the amount of aces and broke Vemic’s serve four times, whereas Vemic failed to convert any of his break points.

This is only Roddick’s first match since he lost in Toronto a couple weeks ago, and his third since Wimbledon. However, his great form in practice seems to be translating well onto the court despite this lack of match inactivity in the last two weeks. “I played twice yesterday and I practiced twice today,� he said on Tuesday of this week. “Actually, I started hitting the ball better than before I got hurt.�

Roddick will now face Marc Gicquel in the quarterfinals during tomorrow’s night match.

Recap Source: Andy Roddick.com