“I was there…in Portland!”

Throughout the year we’ve really enjoyed hearing from Andy’s fans who have traveled around the world to support Andy. One of the biggest events of Andy’s year was winning the Davis Cup and many of you were there to celebrate it with him.

This report comes from Mia Fabrizio.

“My name is Mia Fabrizio and I was Andy’s June fan of the month for 2007, nominated by my brother. I was at the Finals in Portland, Oregon and sitting courtside for the big win…I can honestly say to you this was the most thrilling moment of my life. I think everyone in the arena probably felt how special this moment was, not having won in 12 years. I was in North Carolina for the finals before this, and knew this was the team that was going to be able to do it.

By some absolutely amazing turn of events I got to actually meet and spend some time with Andy. As I was going up to meet him I was so nervous…thinking I didn’t want to bother or annoy him…he was probably celebrating. As soon as Andy walked out of the room all the nervousness went away. He was just so nice and so genuine. He talked to me and my friend for about 10 minutes. My friend told him I was a fan of the month. He was so funny and joking with us. We took some pictures with him and I told him I really
really appreciated it, he said, ‘absolutely, no problem.’

I dont know if Andy was aware of it or not but he was wearing a ONE foundation t shirt—it happened to be World AIDS Day…I was happy to see his interest, even if it was coincidental. I can’t tell you how much it means to a fan to meet their idol and have them totally exceed the unreal expectations you had for them. I know that Andy has to meet a hundred people a day and they probably all say the same thing “im your biggest fan!”…I don’t know who his biggest fan really is, but I will tell you this—Andy treated us like we were his biggest fans, like he really appreciated us. He will probably never know what it meant to me.

I traveled from Massachusetts, and let me tell you the 12 hour trip was MORE than worth it, i would do it again in a heartbeat. As if this wasn’t the absolute best moment of my life- I ended up running into Andy again later that night. He took pictures with my other friend and my mom…again being so kind and so willing, I asked him if it was bothering him and he said no.

Robby Ginepri walked down and he was so nice too. They stayed for an hour or so then went out to celebrate their win properly; they really deserved it. I coach tennis at a few clubs in my hometown and I coach a girls high school team, I use Andy to motivate and inspire my teams all the time. I have followed his career before he turned pro as someone who can appreciate all the facets of his game. I love tennis so much, and watching Andy makes me remember why i do. My brother is in the entertainment industry and i know how it is to have people always wanting to meet you, so I just want to again say thank you and i really do understand, and it made all the difference in the world for me. CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM USA, I can’t name a group of people more deserving…you make tennis so worth watching, and anyone who says Americans are losing interest in tennis clearly dont watch Andy Roddick, James Blake or the Bryan Brothers play.”

Many thanks to Mia for her report. If you were at Davis Cup, or if you went to see Andy in any charity events during December, you can write to us at iwasthere@andyroddick.com.