VamosRafa
Hall of Fame
Basically in that order. Along with his Super Bowl prediction. 
I just read this and thought it may be of interest, because of the variety of topics, especially about Agassi and Young. Especially about Young.
Andy has been through this before, and he seems very protective of Donald.
I just read this and thought it may be of interest, because of the variety of topics, especially about Agassi and Young. Especially about Young.
Andy has been through this before, and he seems very protective of Donald.
Q&A With Andy Roddick
The following interview with Andy Roddick was conducted by the ATP's Director of Communications, Greg Sharko, on Tuesday, February 1.
GREG SHARKO. Looking at Davis Cup, it seems that one of the only givens is that yourself and the Bryans are going to be on the team. That other slot is kind of on a try-out basis. Is that a healthy environment for Davis Cup or would you rather see kind of a set team coming in every tie?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, considering three out of the four players are set, you know, I think that's pretty good. You know, I try to look at it optimistically. Most countries have their two singles players and not a whole lot of depth besides that. The fact that we have three or four guys who can play the second singles, it's a concern, but it's a nice problem to have at the same time.
You know, I think we're a lot better off than we were two years ago before the Bryans got into the fold where it was just me playing, and that was the only given. I choose to look at it that we're making progress and, you know, I'm excited to start the year there in California.
Q. How much can you get involved in the process of trying to convince Andre that it would be a good thing to play? Is there only so much you can push him?
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, you know, the last thing I'm going to do, as a fellow player, is grill Andre all the time about it. But, you know, I have talked to him. We have discussed it. I've let him know that I'm a hundred percent supportive, if he wants to join us.
You know, I definitely want him on the team. I think he gives us a great chance. You know, obviously selfishly I'd love to be around him and learn, be in that close contact with him for a week.
But beyond that, I don't know how much I can do. I mean, I've made it known that I respect him, he's a good friend, and I'd love to have him around. But at the same time I don't want him to feel like I'm pressuring him into anything. That's not my place. I think those conversations are between captain and Andre.
Q. Regarding Davis Cup, if Andre Agassi were to join the team, what would he add to the mix, your mix of young guys that's included right now?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, Andre's great. I mean, he would come in and fit in no problem. You know, he's a people person, so it wouldn't be anything bad. We could only learn from Andre. I mean, if you have a Davis Cup team and you add one of the greatest players of all time to it, I mean, it can only benefit all of us.
Q. Your comments about Agassi, do you have a gut feeling either way if he'll play either this tie or any tie in the future?
ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I mean, I'm not going to speculate because I honestly don't know. Like I said, I'm not going to harass Andre into telling us. He's a grown man. He's going to make decisions. Either way, I'm sure he'll have very valid reasons for choosing either way. That's something I do know.
Q. Your enthusiasm for Davis Cup, how much do you think that has affected, being the top American, the feeling of Davis Cup now, bringing back that camaraderie, team playing feeling?
ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I'd be hard-pressed to say that's all me. I mean, like I said, I think it's a team effort. You know, there's a whole group of us young guys who are committed to the cause. I'm just one of those people.
I've kind of been there the longest now and I just am as committed now as I was five years ago.
Q. What is it about it that you're so enthusiastic about it?
ANDY RODDICK: I think it's great. I mean, it's not often you get to compete on behalf of your country in our sport, and especially with a bunch of your best friends. It really doesn't get much better than that.
Q. Do you know anything about Donald Young? You obviously were the last US Junior to be No. 1 in the world.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah. I think very highly of Donald. I (inaudible) with him a couple times. He seems like a really sweet kid. You know, obviously being No. 1 in the world at such a young age, winning a Slam at such a young age, is a very impressive accomplishment.
My biggest I guess fear for Donald is that people put pressure on him too early. We have to realize how young he is and he's going to grow. You know, he still may be a couple years away physically, you know, as far as playing with the top-level guys. I really just hope people give him room to grow and give him some leeway. Like Bill said, he's got a conference call tomorrow. You know, he's No. 1. I just hope that people kind of realize it's going to be a learning process for him, even though he is so good at a young age.
I've been there under kind of the spotlight in the transition from juniors to pros before, and it's a tough one. I just hope people will give him his space and let him grow and mature naturally.
But, you know, he's a smart kid and I think he has good people around him, so hopefully that won't be too much of a problem.
Q. Regarding Donald Young, you won US Open Juniors when you were 17, correct?
ANDY RODDICK: Yes.
Q. How good is he to win the Australian Open Juniors at 15?
ANDY RODDICK: Oh, it's unprecedented, you know, like people have said. The thing being, at 17, I was fortunate because I was ready to play pro ball right away after the US Open. We do have to realize how young he is and how much he has left to learn.
I think his potential, it's unbelievable. The way he plays points, the way he already constructs points, he's just one of those guys who has a natural feel for the game. My biggest concern is letting him grow and people knowing that this is a process. If he does come in and win, start winning some, then it should be looked upon as a bonus; it shouldn't be expected right away.
I just wish nothing but the best for him. I hope everybody kind of realizes that this is going to be a process over the next couple of years.
Q. Would you say it was a risk for his parents to have him turn pro at age 15? Mentally it's hard to grow up and get used to the rigors of the tour at that age.
ANDY RODDICK: Hopefully he's not going to travel full-time right away. But at the same time, you have to kick butt when it's there to be kicked. He's obviously not a normal 15-year-old with the ability that he has. I hope they still let him do some normal stuff. I don't want it to start feeling like a job to him this early. It's a very sensitive situation because you have someone who is so talented and who wants to play the game, so you have to let him do his own thing, but at the same time there I think the sense of normalcy has to remain, as well.
Q. What is your coaching situation now? Was a change a good thing for you, as it turned out?
ANDY RODDICK: I am working with Dean Goldfine still. Yeah, I think so. I mean, only time will tell. I'm very happy with my team around me right now.
Q. What has been the major change that you feel like has benefited you since you left Brad Gilbert?
ANDY RODDICK: I mean, it's tough to say. It hasn't been long. I mean, people are asking me that question two weeks into working with Dean. I love Dean as a person. I think his work ethic is contagious, with how hard he works at his job. When we train together, it's very organized. We work really hard. We've been getting along great on a personal basis. Everything's positive right now.
Q. With Dean Goldfine, is it just his personality that drew you to him? Were you looking for kind of an expertise in one specific area?
ANDY RODDICK: No. I mean, I think it's an overall package. I think he's been a great coach. He's worked with a couple Top 10 guys. Obviously, we developed a relationship. He was an Olympic assistant coach and a Davis Cup assistant coach. We got to know each other. We got to spend some time together. I just like his whole groove.
Q. From the outside it looked like you and Brad had meshed together. What went wrong there?
ANDY RODDICK: You know, it had run its course. The results had plateaued a little bit. It was just time to move on.
Q. One obligatory question. Who is going to win the Super Bowl?
ANDY RODDICK: Patriots.
Q. Any score?
ANDY RODDICK: I'll go out on a limb and say Patriots. It is going to be -- the score is going to be 27-17.
