By Scoop Malinowski
Digging deep into the archives for this Biofile interview I did with Andy Roddick at the 2000 US Open…At this time Roddick was ranked 336 in the world, and was just about to turn 18. He lost first round at 2000 US Open to world no. 24 Albert Costa 36 76 16 46…
By the end of 2001, Roddick would be ranked 16 in the world. At 2001 US Open he lost a 64 in the fifth set to Lleyton Hewitt in the QF. In 2003 he would win the US Open and earned the ATP World No. 1 ranking…
DOB: August 30, 1982 In: Omaha, Nebraska
Childhood Heroes: I looked up to the whole group of Americans – Agassi, Sampras, Chang, Courier. I remember them playing from when I started. I remember playing in the garage imaginary matches, pretending I was playing Agassi, Sampras, McEnroe, Chang. I’d be in there for hours and hours. My mom would pop her head in, ‘Who’s winning?’
Nickname: A-Rod.
Hobbies/Interests: I love playing golf and basketball. Two of my favorite things to do. Hang out with friends. And I’m really into music too.
Early Tennis Memory: First time I probably beat my mother (Blanche) and father (Jerry) I was pretty happy. Because I was always small. I was nine. Took me about two years (to beat them).
Favorite Movies: American Pie, Austin Powers II.
Musical Tastes: I have everything from country, rap, heavy metal to everything. I’m into everything. Dixie Chicks, Nellie, Tupac, Dr Dre, Eminem, Metallica.
Pre-Match Feeling: I’m pretty relaxed before. I don’t try to get too up or down before ’em.
Funny Tennis Memory: I think I took out a linesman in the head with a serve one time. They had to walk him off the court, wasn’t feeling too good. At Nationals one year in Kalamazoo.
Greatest Sports Moment (so far): Tough one. Maybe I’ll say winning the Australian Open juniors was a really good feeling. Match point, when I looked over to my coach and realized it was over and I had done it. Earned No. 1 world junior ranking. Any time you win a Grand Slam, junior, pro, doubles, mixed doubles, whatever, it’s something to be proud of. (Beat who?) I beat Mario Ancic from Croatia.
Most Painful Moment: Yeah, I got tagged in doubles with an overhead in the place where it hurts a little bit more than the other places [laughs]. I was like fourteen, just at a local tournament in Florida. I had to go sit down for like five minutes so… [smiles].
First Job: Tennis.
First Car: ’96 rec Chevy Blazer.
Favorite Meal: I’d have to say Times Square Pizza in Boca Raton, where I’m from.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Cocoa Puffs.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookie dough.
Funniest Players Encountered: Andrew Ilie is a pretty funny guy.
Closest Friends In Tennis: Levar Harper-Griffith.
Toughest Competitors Encountered: Andre Agassi definitely. He doesn’t want to give you anything ever. No matter what. He’s the fiercest. (Note: Roddick played and lost to ATP world No. 1 Agassi twice that year 2000 in Miami R64 62 63 and Washington DC QF 64 64.)
People Qualities Most Admired: People that start with little in life and achieve something. People like that. My parents were like that. They didn’t start out with much when they got married. They didn’t have a lot financially or socially. They worked their way up. When they first got married they lived in a trailer home. My dad was in military. They ended up owning about 25 Jiffy Lube stores in Nebraska and Texas.
…Roddick retired after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro at the 2012 US Open. He won 32 ATP singles titles and achieved a record of 612-213 and over $20m in career prize money.
You can read more Biofiles like this at www.mrbiofile.com
Andre Agassi · Andy Roddick · ATP · US Open
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2022 at 10:59 am
I remember seeing Andy Roddick practice before the 2000 US Open on court 14 or 15 and he was like a tornado of energy and intensity, could tell he wanted it so bad and nothing was gonna stop him. Most players go through the motions in practice, Roddick had a different intensity that stood out. Sure enough he was world no. 1 and US Open champ by 2003.
Cory · January 14, 2022 at 10:33 pm
Why did he retire so young? He retired 9 years ago but could conceivably still play today.
Cory · January 14, 2022 at 10:34 pm
Scoop, since you mentioned Del Potro… looks like he’s eying a clay court return this year. Any idea or insights?
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2022 at 9:05 am
Cory, you remember he was no longer able to win majors, not able to beat Fed, Rafa or Djokovic anymore, so he didn’t want to linger around as a second rater would be my guess. He played to contend for and win big titles. Guess he realized his game wasn’t enough to do that anymore and it was time to move on. Maybe his body wasn’t feeling up to that challenge anymore either. Courier, Chang, Rios, Rafter, Safin were also done by around age 30. The big story about Delpo is his late father may have squandered most of his fortune and the word bankruptcy has been mentioned. Hopefully not so. Delpo is one of the few guys when fit and healthy can dominate Fed, Rafa and Novak. Hope he has one or two more last hurrahs left.
Douglas Day · January 18, 2022 at 11:35 am
Great 20 year piece of U.S. history Scoop thanks
Scoop Malinowski · January 18, 2022 at 1:10 pm
Douglas, thank you Andy Roddick gave a quality interview at age 17 at the US Open, he got better too over the years, he shared some terrific insights on Andy Murray for my Facing Andy Murray book. He was always excellent in press conferences too.