THE tennisreporters.net NEWSLETTER: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, No. 8

Roddick optimistic about 2003
Agassi: Andy has best shot of filling Pete and his own shoes
Aussie Open surface could be Roddick's best shot

By Sandra Harwitt
tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

Last Saturday, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick headlined the Rock-n-Racquets Charity event at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Roddick came out firing on all cylinders in what turned out to be a serious match between the two players in front of a crowd of about 3,000. The Floridian gave Agassi early notice that he planned on controlling the proceeding when he served an ace on the last point of the first game that ended up clanging the cymbals on a rock band's drum kit set up on the stage beyond the court. Roddick quickly quipped to the crowd -- "that was me auditioning" -- in one of the only lighthearted moments of the match.

Also featured during the event was a wheelchair exhibition with Mike Haynes and Larry Quintero, a women's match between former collegiate standout Bea Bielek and junior Ally Baker as well as a post match concert by the rock group "Sister Hazel." The event which was put together by Roddick and his management group SFX was to benefit the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation as well as the Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America.

The 20-year-old Roddick not only scored his first Top 10 finish this year, but also won the heart of pop singer Mandy Moore this past season. However, Roddick had a poor year at the Slams, as he was served out of Roland Garros by Wayne Arthurs, overwhelmed by Greg Rusedski at Wimbledon and crushed by Pete Sampras in New York. However, Roddick thinks his sophomore season was more a success than a failure.

"As far as sophomore -- that's just something people say," he said. "I think it was somewhere towards the middle ground. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't great by any means. I didn't play as well as I think I could had in the Slams. But saying that and attaining one of my goals, which was to finish Top 10, leaves me pretty optimistic."

The Floridian added that the pressure of being the younger American's standard bearer at the outset of the year was difficult. "I was pressing a little bit early in the year - I was trying to win a tournament in one match and I guess that's not how it works," he said. "But then I started having a lot more fun in the summer and having a couple of good results. It's just the way it went, I guess."

The 32-year-old Agassi -- who fell to Roddick 6-4, 6-3 in the exo -- said that Roddick is the main guy that he and Sampras will be passing the baton to in US tennis.

"It's a very fair comment. Again you always leave room for a competitors' heart and a competitors' mind and the way he's directed, and the fate of all things falling for you and staying healthy," Agassi said. "But when you look at the meat and potatoes, Andy certainly has the firepower."

AGASSI GIVE A-ROD TIPS
The seven-time Grand Slam champion did offer Roddick some tips as to how to be highly successful.

"Just always keep focusing on getting better regardless of how good or bad things are," Agassi said. "If you're thinking about getting better your head's in the right place and good things are going to happen."

Roddick is still trying to figure out what his best surface is although it's pretty obvious that grass isn't it because he isn't a natural volleyer and doesn't return that well. "I guess I'm still trying to figure that out," he said.

At that point, Agassi chimed in, saying that it should be Australia for Roddick, not only because of how the surface plays, but it is the next Grand Slam played."Yeah, I'd like to give it a run on the Rebound Ace," Roddick said. You know, my serve will pick up a little bit and it will take my ball a bit better than the other surfaces."

The last time Agassi and Roddick played, Andre embarrassed him in San Jose at the Siebel Open. But in the exo, it was Roddick who took care of business.

"Every week is different and if there's one thing you learn quickly out here is you can't take anything for granted," Agassi said. "It's amazing how one day here or there makes a world of difference. The last time we played it was a great day for me and not such a great day for Andy. His game is constantly improving. I've seen it improve now consistently since he was 17 years- old and that's a good sign for his future."

Amazingly, Agassi will entering his 18th year on tour in 2003 and literally began playing pro events while Roddick was just learning to walk. But when he stares across the net at Andy, he's not thinking back to his days as a 20-year-old when he and Sampras were burning up rubber in Louie Armstrong Stadium.

"I don't see age when I'm on the court," Agassi said. "I see game when I look across the net. My energy is spent on how to figure out how to deal with his game. He gives me a lot to think about otherwise."

Roddick would love to have a career like Agassi's, which includes winning Slams on all four surfaces and 54 career titles overall. "Is there a tournament he hasn't won yet?," Roddick said. "That would be more than I ever dreamed of doing."