On The Rod With Lacoste #3

The day before Andy’s debut match at the Masters Cup in Shanghai, Lacoste takes a drive with Andy to Qi Zhong Stadium for his final day of practice. Bridging two generations of great tennis, Lacoste gives you a sneak peak of Andy warming up with Coach Jimmy Connors. After a quick shirt change, Andy awaits his training session on Center Court while watching his first round opponent Ivan Ljubicic. In a practice session with Tomas Berdych, Andy displays his newly improved net game. Later that evening, Lacoste sits down with Andy for another entertaining and insightful one on one interview.

Lacoste holds nothing-back asking Andy for “the worst of the worst” memory from 2006. Andy jokes, “there’s lots to choose from,” but candidly admits “I’d probably have to say after Wimbledon…to go out like I did, and really not play that well…those days afterward were very long days with a lot of thoughts.” But not one to dwell on the disappointments in the past, Andy shares a few turning points of his rejuvenated 2006 season. “Obviously Jimmy I don’t think plays a small part in it…also just the time I spent after Wimbledon just reflecting.”

Along with his turbulent 2006 season on court, Lacoste discusses Andy’s roller coaster ride in the media spotlight. “I don’t really resent it because I know it’s lot of people’s jobs to write stories that will sell…I mean they’ve given me every opportunity off the court in the past, they build you up and they can take it away the same way,” Andy understands the sensationalism and criticism that makes for a good read. “You spend four years building up a reputation that can be lost in two months.” With a three set victory over Ivan Ljubicic in the first round at the Masters Cup, Andy’s was able to silence any doubters for another day, “It’s just a matter of realizing that you have to keep it up all the time.”

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