WIMBLEDON

June 27, 2004

Andy Roddick

THE MODERATOR: Andy Roddick.

ANDY RODDICK: Absolutely. I thought I played well today. I thought I lifted my game today. I had to. You know, I was forced to. If I wouldn't have, I'd be here in a much worse mood.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I felt like I had pretty good control over it today. Again, I had to. You know, if I would have gotten busted once, I mean, it could have been the end of a set, you know. So I definitely had to concentrate hard on it. Luckily I was hitting it pretty well today.

ANDY RODDICK: I think it starts at 6-3. I was thinking, "You know what, if you win these two, you know, win these two points, maybe he had misses a first serve, you're back in with a fighting chance." So I was lucky enough to kind of get a little slimy return down a little bit, he kind of didn't really commit to his volley. He just missed it. You know, I was pretty fortunate. But then I thought I played a couple good points there to close out the second set.

ANDY RODDICK: No, I think it has an effect on everybody. I don't think it's a positive one for most people. But that being said, I was in the same situation as you, you know, as everyone else here, just waiting around, trying to figure out something to do. You know, but I think you asked me that question yesterday. I said, you know, actually my job's a little easier than yours, because you're busy trying to make something out of nothing. I just have to wait till it's my turn.

ANDY RODDICK: A little bit, but not -- you know, I think we all have the understanding that once it's on court, you know, it's business. You know, when you're across the net from someone, you're not thinking about, you know, camaraderie, Davis Cup teammate, anything like that. You're thinking about winning. I think that's universally understood in this game.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I've been pretty fortunate. I've squeaked through a couple close matches against them.

ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I'm not good with percentages and stuff. I know I didn't play as well as I would have wanted to in my first two matches. I know I stepped up and played well today. So I was happy. It's definitely progressing in the right direction.

ANDY RODDICK: Which tiebreaker?

ANDY RODDICK: I'm sorry?

ANDY RODDICK: Oh, a little bit of luck got me through it, that's for sure. I wasn't happy with the tiebreaker that I played up till 6-3. I felt for the majority of the second set and the tiebreaker, he was the more aggressive player. He probably played better than I did in the second set. You know, I was able to kind of squeak through. I stepped up when I needed to in the second set breaker. I had my back against the wall, but I stayed in there mentally. I think that was key.

ANDY RODDICK: They were at 7-3, got a trade, all came in, blew the save, but then they won 8-7 in extra innings. No, he would never mention that (laughter).

ANDY RODDICK: No, because they won. He's upset with their closing situation, because 15 blown saves, which is more than any other major league team, blah, blah, blah. Who cares?

ANDY RODDICK: Well, you know, Roger Federer progressing through matches and playing well isn't exactly a surprise. I'm not focused -- I'm playing my tournament. You know, if that includes him somewhere down the line, then I'll worry about it. But I'm not too concerned, and I'm sure he would say the same thing. You're always curious. But, you know, I'm trying to win my matches.

ANDY RODDICK: Oh, I feel like I have the chance to. You know, I feel like if I serve well, I have a chance to beat anybody on a given day.

ANDY RODDICK: No, because the people that were there, you know, really wanted to be there. They were pretty loud. You know, by the end, it was a little bit better. That's not something I was too concerned with. I mean, this whole week's been whacky. Why not today, too?

ANDY RODDICK: I mean, it was pretty similar. You know, they were getting into -- they were pretty loud and pretty -- you know, even though there was a small crowd, I could definitely feel them, you know. I could feel their energy. It was similar in that aspect.

ANDY RODDICK: I saw it kind of lined up. I was watching the festival they had outside the palace last night a little bit. I think it's pretty cool how the whole city catches the buzz of the Olympics and they kind of celebrate it, and it's not even here. I thought that was pretty cool.

ANDY RODDICK: Well, it's definitely getting closer. But, you know, all along I kind of knew I was going to be on the team. But, you know, it's amazing how something as small as a T-shirt makes it real.

ANDY RODDICK: That's better than nothing. Hell, I'm making progress over two years ago (smiling).

ANDY RODDICK: I'm not a finished article in any way, shape or form right now regardless of the surface. You know, I have a lot of work to do. If I was sitting here extremely content with myself at 21, then I'd have to question myself.

ANDY RODDICK: No. I wish I could sit here and tell you that, you know, I don't get nervous anymore, I don't do this, I don't do that, I've learned, I'm so wise. But it's not true. I'm still anxious to get out there. You know, I've always been that way. I really don't want that to change, to be honest.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah. I think it was at night when people were queuing. I just kind of wanted to do the whole atmosphere of it. They were a lot more intoxicated than I expected. I guess that made it easier to fit. No, but I think, you know, I always try to experience something of a tournament. You know, you can't play Wimbledon -- that was my first year. I could go somewhat unrecognized, you know, the random person. I just kind of wanted to feel what was going on. People have the little barbecues. It was cool. It was a good experience.

ANDY RODDICK: I think that was -- it was either 2001 or 2002. Either my first or second year, I'm not sure.

ANDY RODDICK: I don't know.

ANDY RODDICK: Well, yeah, that's universal. That's like, yeah.

ANDY RODDICK: I have not, no.

ANDY RODDICK: Through, alive. It's definitely a process, you know. The first couple of rounds are always a little bit dicey. Once you make the second week, you start feeling like you're in the trenches. So that's kind of where I feel like I am right now.

ANDY RODDICK: Not really. I mean, kind of depends on the situation, but not consistently. I'd say I'm part-time superstitious.

ANDY RODDICK: If there was nothing today?

ANDY RODDICK: I forget what I did last year. Most likely, I wouldn't spend all day here. I wouldn't -- I'd practice and I'd leave. You know, I definitely wouldn't spend time here. You know, if I felt like going into the city and doing something, then I would.

ANDY RODDICK: No, I wanted to go, man. I've been sitting around. I feel like I haven't done anything this week. I definitely wanted to get out there and play. I was extremely pleased with the decision, and I think it was the right one. It's perfect weather today. You know, they're getting a lot of matches in.

ANDY RODDICK: No. We're not going to get into the habit of putting something on every tournament. But if we have a discussion and, you know, if it comes up spontaneously, then we will. But I'll keep you posted.

ANDY RODDICK: He has it, yeah. It's coming out soon.

ANDY RODDICK: I don't remember. Set point down. I was down 6-3, and I hit a backhand pass. That must have been 6-4.

ANDY RODDICK: Probably not my -- my serve. You mean just satisfaction as far as? I mean, I love my serve because it keeps me in matches on a daily basis. But if I do something that people don't expect, like hit a great half volley, do something like that, I get kind of happy when I do that.

ANDY RODDICK: Oh, Opening Ceremonies, for sure. I'm going to try to do the whole Olympic experience, you know. I'm not sure what the schedule is yet as far as what's going to be going on while I'm there, but I'm definitely going to try to make the rounds and check it out.

ANDY RODDICK: Oh, that's tough. It's tough to kind of narrow it down to one. Obviously, any of the NBA guys, it's fun because, I mean, obviously I watch them all the time. But I think the Olympics is more about, you know, the track and field events, stuff along those lines. I think I'd like to meet -- I'd love to see Maurice Greene run. I've heard you just watch him and it's insane how fast these guys are. He'd probably be on my top. I'd love to watch him.

ANDY RODDICK: Sleep. When I'm awake, it's not really going to happen.