AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Date: 2006-01-18

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2006

Andy Roddick
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
The Moderator First question.

Question Could you get much rhythm out of a match like that?
Answer No, but I think you kind of knew that going in. I knew Wesley was just going to come out and really take it to me, be aggressive and try to get in as much as possible. You know, luckily for me I played three matches, including Kooyong, before this where I got to hit some balls. So, you know, I wasn't expecting a lot of rhythm out there today.

Question What do you take from a match like today then going forward?
Answer It was good 'cause I wanted to return well. I feel like after the first four games of the match, I really started doing that. I put a high percentage of returns in the court and put pressure on him almost every service game. And if I can do that, it will make my serve look that much better to the other guys. I'm glad I was able to follow through on our game plan.

Question How do you like the courts?
Answer They got lines and everything. I like them. They're good.

Question Do you feel the draw is starting to open up a little bit for you? You don't have to play a seeded player now till the quarterfinals?
Answer I haven't looked. You know, if there's one thing we've learned by seeds getting knocked out, proves everybody can play. There's no such thing as an open draw. You have to win matches. You have to win sets. And, you know, at least for me, I mean, obviously for Roger, I think every draw feels open for him, but for me there's no such thing as an open draw.

Question Were you surprised that Ginepri was knocked out?
Answer Yes, I was.

Question Do you see any of the Hewitt match?
Answer Yeah, I did watch it. He just wanted to put you guys through the ringer again, huh? First match. But you know what, that whole time, I don't know if I ever really felt once that he was going to lose that. You know, he is just tough. He's gonna play his way into form. You know, that's a typical gutsy match from Lleyton. That's why he's been one of the best players in the world for so long.

Question When you see a match like that, do you feel happy to have a weapon like you have in the serve to sometimes bail you out and keep points shorter because he has to grind every single point just about, no option at all?
Answer Yeah. I mean, obviously, he's probably saying when I'm slow running to a ball that, "Man, I like being fast," you know. Obviously, I think we all like our strengths and, you know, mine just happens to be my serve.

Question Has it always been that way?
Answer Has what always been that way?

Question Your serve, from childhood?
Answer No, no, I was little. I was really small for my age growing up. Then I grew a lot and then I was able to serve. But I used to retrieve a lot of balls when I was younger.
The Moderator Any more questions?
Answer You guys took it easy on me today. Not even any grinding questions from Bud.

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