Andy Interview 2001 (translated version of the scans) second part added

So, while most of us are missing the old energetic and excited Andy, I thought it would be nice to read an old interview with him. I was able to translate the first side of the interview today and I´m gonna add the second part of it soon.


It´s fun to tease the old guys.

Andy Roddick is considered as the big american hope in tennis. He talks about his goals, his idols and he explains why participating in DC is the "ultimate commendation" in this edition of "tennis magazin".

Question: Mister Roddick, how does it feel to be considered as the successor of the great Pete Sampras and the great Andre Agassi?

Answer: It looks as if everyone´s interested in this question. But I have to say, that I´m not bothered by the pressure of the media and of the fans. I´ve already been the number 1 as a junior and I had to compete with everybody. It doesn´t matter what the people are thinking, I still have a long way to go.

Question: Sampras and Agassi, where those 2 the idols of your childhood?

Answer: Not only those 2, all americans of the golden generation, f.e. Michael Chang or Jim Courier. I always played against them when I hit balls against the walls of our garage. But sometimes, I played against Boris Becker. My parents were always surprised because I won all the time.

Question: Are your parents surprised about your emotional behaviour on the court?

Answer: Probably not. They know me. I need the emotions to pump myself and the fans up. I always looked up to Becker and his ability to get the crowd going and how he was able to take advantage of that. Connors was the same. I watched his last US Open on tv. He was 39 years old.

Question: You played a dramatic match at the FO against Michael Chang which you won in 5 sets. The next day, you had to quit drowned in tears against Lleyton Hewitt. Don´t you think, that those kind of emotional roller coaster rides are mentally and physically tiring?

Those were disturbing days, no question. But you have to go through these ups and downs to be ready for the next challenge. It´s easier to cope with it when you´re young. It´s harder when you´re older and you´re only participating in the next 2 slams before you´ll retire. I´ll have many opportunities in the next few years. I am not thinking about missed chances.

Question: After your first year as a professional: Do you think that you´re able to win a Grand Slam tournament? Or do you still have lots to learn?

It´s not impossible. Nowadays, you aren´t able to mark time because the others would fly right by you. You have to be ready to learn something new all the time. Then you´re able to win a big title. For example Lleyton Hewitt. He was able to advance his game and now he´s one of the best allround-players on the tour. Next to the Sampras-Agassi match, was my match versus Lleyton one of the highlights of this years US Open. I was sooo close, but maybe I wasn´t as hard-bitten and clever as Lleyton.