September 2006 Fan Of The Month

With the recent US Open event, we couldn’t think of a more appropriate month to showcase one of the Netheads as Andy’s September Fan of the Month.

Here is Tani Chapman’s winning entry!:

“My name is Tani Chapman….a Nethead from Alabama. I joined Andy’s website in 2001, and visited the website everyday…and still do!! The webmaster invited those of us that were considered “regulars” to be moderators of the website. There were three of us that worked on the site together for about a year, without actually meeting each other. Then we decided to meet at the US Open in 2002. We were introduced to the Netheads at that time, and decided across the United States we would go, to meet, cheer and experience Andy at the US Open for the first time, as “Netheads”.

The Netheads had just started cheering for Davis Cup and Fed Cup that year. I had seen the matches on television, and the cameras up into the stands, to get a view of the Netheads. At that time, I had thought how much fun they all looked as though they were having. How cool that would be to join them and cheer for Andy. So the three of us on Andy’s website, decided to meet each other that year at the US Open 2001.

What an experience!!! It is hard to describe the first time watching Andy in person. I know everyone has to experience the US Open at least once in their lifetime to watch Andy. It’s fantastic!!! The netheads got so much attention from the media, cameras and fans!! I wasn’t used to all that attention….being just a fan. We were on television alot, interviewed and photographed so much that people would want their pictures taken with us. Even some of the parents of the players would come over and ask us to cheer at their matches. The Bryan brothers, Jan Michael Gamblill, Mardy Fish, etc. By 2003 the Netheads tripled in size, and we started cheering at more matches as we grew.

After the experience of the US Open (three years total), I couldn’t hardly stand not seeing Andy play matches in person. Television just wasn’t the same. I started travelling to the Davis Cup matches. I saw Andy hit all of his world’s fastest serves at all the Davis Cup matches. WOW hearing those happen in person, was truly awesome. I went to all of 2004 DC’s and to Seville, Spain for the finals. That was the most amazing experience. My first time in another country…and to watch Andy play twice on clay. It was awesome. He gave his absolute heart in both of those matches. In the last rubber, Andy would ask for certain cheers for us to yell when Mardy was playing. The team usually joins in with our cheers and chants.

I attend all the Davis Cup matches I possibly can. As a Nethead I have also gotten to meet Andy, James, Mike, Bob and Patrick. The Netheads were lucky enough to meet up with them at the semifinals in Charleston. We met Patrick and the team at a celebration party after the win!!! It was the most amazing night. They love the Netheads and the support it gives the team. It gets the team and the fans fired up! They danced and talked with us most of the night of celebration into the finals.”

Just in case any of you guys out there don’t know how much the Netheads mean to Andy, here’s one line from the man himself: “NetHeads rule. They make it fun to be out there playing!”

Congratulations to Tani and I’m sure they were cheering loudly at this year’s US Open.

Remember if you want the chance to be Andy’s Fan of the Month, email us your entries to fanmonth@andyroddick.com!