ASAP Sports: Roddick Interview 05/09/07

Q. What was the strangest thing that happened there? He hit that drop volley at matchpoint. There were a lot of goofy things going on.
ANDY RODDICK: I was just talking to my trainer, Doug, and I said, This is strange because it’s probably the first time in — it would be odds on to be the last time where you ask, What was your best shot today? And have my respond with my dropshot. So it was strange.

Q. Have you been practicing the forehand drop?
ANDY RODDICK: I’ve been hitting it in practice, but I always hit it in practice, just not well. We’ve been trying to work on it a little bit more. But, you know I was hitting them and I hit a pretty decent backhand one at 5-3 in the breaker also. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but today was fun.

Q. How much stock are you putting in this win? This guy is a former French Open winner, and at the same time he’s down to 71 in the rankings and considering retirement?
ANDY RODDICK: I don’t know. You know, I don’t really think about it in those terms. I know he’s very capable on clay. You know, I don’t think he’s long on confidence right now. But at the at the same time, this is the most challenging surface for me as well.
So if there was a time to, you know, beat him and be, you know, I guess a little bit proud of it it’s on this surface. I get to play another day so that’s a good thing.

Q. You had matchpoints. Did you think back to that screwy match with Verdasco a couple years ago. You had matchpoints and it got away from you.
ANDY RODDICK: Actually, no. I probably should have. To be honest I hadn’t thought of it until just now. You know, the first one I made a first serve, he put the return in play and then guessed forehand and hit a passing shot. I think you win that point the majority of the time. The next one he probably hit his best return of the match.
First time he was able to get on my kick serve and hit it at my feet. The next matchpoints I just really missed a backhand horribly and we’re back at square one. But it happens and, you know, I was thankful to get through in two after that.

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