Andy Roddick seems to be enjoying the view from atop the world. It’s a place he feels comfortable, a place he sought out long before winning the U.S. Open or claiming the No. 1 world tennis ranking. In fact, Roddick has been sky-high on a regular basis for more than a year, since he began jumping out of airplanes at 11,000 feet and floating to Earth strapped to a parachute.
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“A good rush” is how he describes skydiving, and he is ready to try it solo, without an instructor, the next time out.
But for now, the 21-year-old Boca Raton, Fla., resident is soaring. He doesn’t appear ready to free fall anytime soon.
Roddick is the hottest thing in tennis as the Masters Cup in Houston winds up the season Sunday. Heading into the tournament he was 47-4 since the French Open and has added $2.89 million to his bankroll this season.
He prances around the globe with pop star girlfriend Mandy Moore. He appears shirtless in Rolling Stone, opens stock markets, receives keys to cities and struts down a Saks Fifth Avenue runway wearing Arnold Brant’s latest fashions.
He even hosted “Saturday Night Live,” the first male tennis player to do so. The musical guest just happened to be his favorite group, the Dave Matthews Band.
The “SNL” experience followed September appearances on “Today,” “Regis and Kelly,” MTV and the “Late Show with David Letterman.”
As if that wasn’t enough exposure, Roddick will be the subject of a reality TV show called “The Tour” next summer, a gig Roddick said he is “totally amped” about. Cameras will follow Roddick on tour from May to September, and he is giving them complete access with one exception–“my bedroom.”
Despite the demands on his time and cameras at every turn, Roddick has not lost his edge on the court, says his coach of six months, Brad Gilbert. Roddick had been spending an average of two hours on the court, two hours in the gym and doing “hundreds” of sit-ups a day, Gilbert said.
“It’s been more hectic than usual, for sure, but I don’t think Andy’s training has been affected,” Gilbert said. “He’s 21 years old. He has an abundance of energy. It’s a balancing act, and it’s OK to do some of that other stuff, as long as you learn to say no sometimes.”
Roddick has been saying no a lot lately. He has been so swamped that he spent less than 48 hours at home since the emotional U.S. Open victory Sept. 8.
Nobody in the Roddick family is completely surprised to see him at the pinnacle of his sport. When he was 7, his Christmas present to each member of the family was an autographed tennis ball.
“I still have them,” said his mother, Blanche. “And it’s almost creepy because he signed those balls exactly the way he does now, `Andy R.’ He was just learning cursive back when he wrote those, and he talked about being the best tennis player in the world. But we never really expected it would happen.
“We have so much incredible pride in what Andy has done, and it is embellished every day when we realize just how many people have enjoyed the ride along with him.
“It’s been a wonderful time for all of us.”
Roddick’s oldest brother, Lawrence, was an All-American diver and U.S. teammate of Greg Louganis. His other brother, John, was the first tennis prodigy in the family, making it as far as All-American at the University of Georgia.
But it was “Little Roddick,” as Andy was known then, who made it to the pros. He had a 9-inch growth spurt at 16, dominated the junior circuit and turned pro at 18. His ranking rose from No. 325 to No. 27 in one year, and he was anointed the “Next Great American.”
Roddick spent the next two years trying to live up to expectations, answering questions about whether he was worthy of taking the baton from Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. When he finally won the U.S. Open, his first words at the news conference were:
“No more, `What’s it feel like to be the future of American tennis?’ stuff. No more!”
Roddick is the man to beat now, the present of American tennis. His last goal for the season was to finish at the top, and he clinched that berth early in the Houston event.
When the season is complete, Gilbert said, the real hard work will begin. Roddick is determined to better all parts of his game, even his overpowering serve.
But for now, he’ll just float a little longer. No need to touch down just yet.
The Roddick file
Height: 6-2.
Weight: 165.
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Plays: Right-handed.
Born: Aug. 30, 1982, in Omaha.
2003 at a glance
ATP record: 69-16.
Overall record: 70-17.
On hardcourts: 45-9.
On carpet: 3-1.
On clay: 12-6.
On grass: 10-1.
Source: Association of Tennis Professionals.