TELECOM ITALIA MASTERS

May 4, 2004

Andy Roddick

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Andy, please.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I wasn't concentrating for one reason or another, I'm not sure. I don't think it was because of that. I just went out there, I was rushing things. I definitely don't think I put forth my best effort today, so it's a little disappointing.

ANDY RODDICK: Actually, this surface probably suited me a little better. You know, the surface was fine. I think the wind had blown a lot of the clay off. The balls are going through the court very fast here. You know, I was pretty excited about the conditions when I got here. So, you know, if it is different, it was different in a positive way.

ANDY RODDICK: No, it's tough to put out of your mind, you know; it's going to creep in. But point being, I had a tennis match to play and, you know, I didn't play it. I had plenty of days to get ready and kind of get myself mentally ready, and I didn't do that. That's pretty much the bottom line.

ANDY RODDICK: It's fine. It's just something that comes from time to time, you know, just from playing week after week after week. And, you know, it's okay, it's nothing too serious.

ANDY RODDICK: What's your question? Was that a question or a statement?

ANDY RODDICK: What did you ask?

ANDY RODDICK: Okay (laughing). It's no secret that it's not my favorite surface, but it's, you know, definitely something that I'm trying to get better on. I think everybody has a weak surface; clay happens to be mine. But, you know, something I'm working on to improve.

ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. It's weird because usually I feel really good on clay. It's just when I have an off-day, I feel really bad. Obviously, it's not my first surface, but, you know, I've had good results. I've won four tournaments on it; semi, like you said, here at the Masters Series event. My first year on Tour I probably played better on clay than I did on hard. I think it's just a matter of getting matches under my belt on clay. It's getting over that first hump. If I would have gotten maybe past a round or two here, I think I would have started feeling a lot better. So that's what I have to do.

ANDY RODDICK: As planned right now, you know, we have Hamburg, then I have a week off to train in Paris, then Roland Garros.

ANDY RODDICK: I'm not sure yet. I, you know, am still pretty fresh off the court. I'll probably have to talk to Brad and talk to Doug and see what our game plan is.

ANDY RODDICK: No, I mean, I can think of a couple - maybe Federer (laughing). I don't know if he's the last person, but, you know, any player in this tournament's going to make your life really difficult, especially one who's very comfortable on clay, puts a lot of balls in. Let's say he's not the ideal opponent you'd want to play if you were having an off-day.