Roddick Hopes Less Is More In ‘04

Less is more. That’s the Andy Roddick mantra going into the 2004 season, which for Roddick begins in eight days in Doha, Qatar.

Less travel, and smarter travel. Fewer tournaments. Less clay. And, though he has no desire to alter his are-we-having-fun-yet personality, probably less visibility as well. He’s not taking the same path Serena Williams traveled when she reached the top hobnobbing with other sports stars and with members of the Los Angeles entertainment industry.

That reality show that was going to peer into the crevices of Roddick’s life, both on and off the ATP tour, is officially on hold. Unofficially, it’s highly unlikely that Roddick is going to get involved. He does not see this coming season as a celebration of reaching No. 1. In fact, the rejoicing ended weeks ago.

This coming year is going to be a bear, filling with tension and extremely high expectations. Roddick knows that. His coach, Brad Gilbert, knows it. And so does the rest of the team he and his parents have organized to smooth his way through the 101/2-month season.

They’ve all spent hours on the telephone and in meetings throughout December, mapping out 2004, and that includes a great deal of attention to scheduling.

For the rest of Charles Bricker’s article click here