AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2004

Andy Roddick

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Andy.

ANDY RODDICK: No.

ANDY RODDICK: It's a number. I mean, I hit that shot better than a roundabout forehand trying to pass a guy. No, the thought, you know, "Don't hit the shot because you're No. 1 in the world" did not cross my mind.

ANDY RODDICK: "Climate of fear?" I'm pretty happy. Obviously, you're always wary of the worst case scenario, especially with the attention that's been brought to it. I think you just got to go about your business as normal.

ANDY RODDICK: I've heard Tinactin for athletes foot, Sudafed. There's just a million things you would never even think of. Luckily, you know, the trainer that I have now worked for the ATP last year, so I kind of, you know, have an in-house critic, I guess.

ANDY RODDICK: Sure, absolutely. When you hear about the stuff that can possibly get you in trouble, it's a little scary. It's probably stuff that you guys use on a daily basis. But you just have to be aware, and I think that's the most important thing.

ANDY RODDICK: Taylor, I see a great year for Taylor ahead. He's got everything. I mean, he can break serve, he serves big. You know, I think it's just a matter of it coming together for him. Hopefully he'll delay it for a couple more days, if he gets through that one. You know, I've lost to him and I've lost to Chela before. It's definitely a big match for me, the next one.

ANDY RODDICK: Not really. I mean, my serve felt great today. So, you know, obviously I didn't use so many of the kicks, you know, too many of the slices, because I felt like I was hitting my big one pretty well. So, you know, that kind of goes -- you have to feel out what serves you're hitting well on a given day.

ANDY RODDICK: I think the biggest difference is when I don't feel like I'm playing that well, I still kind of have an underlying confidence, whereas before maybe I would have panicked a little bit more. I think that's where the main difference is.

ANDY RODDICK: I won that one.

ANDY RODDICK: I know we look alike. It's tough to tell us apart. You're a professional, Bud, you're better than that, come on (laughter).

ANDY RODDICK: I got asked that question the other day. It's weird, because, you know, a day session at a court and a night session at a court are almost two totally different things. So, you know, I haven't really -- obviously, there are familiar things. Walking out there is very familiar. But it hasn't crossed my mind too much this tournament.

ANDY RODDICK: I didn't really notice it until obviously Brad scopes the draw out and comes up with little things to say (laughter). It's coincidence, I guess. That's the way the draw works out sometimes.