Stephen Little Interview: Part 2

As you read in Part One of our interview with Stephen Little, Stephen is a good friend of Andy’s as well as the man designated with the job of driving Andy to make sure he gets everywhere he needs to be when he comes to London for the grass-court swing in June and July.

Such a valued friend and member of Team Roddick is Stephen that Andy invited him and his wife Pat to extend their holiday to North America by visiting him in his Austin home for the Third Annual Andy Roddick Foundation Gala in October.

Picture the scene, after holidaying around North America you land at Austin Airport somewhat apprehensively having not been able to make contact with Andy to let him know your arrival date. You breathe a huge sigh of relief when you land, turn on your phone and see a text message from Andy saying – “So, when are you guys getting here again??” – “Now” you reply. The fun starts here.

Andy dashes over to Austin airport, Stephen and Pat are very excited, they bundle into the car in the oddly unfamiliar position of Andy driving and Stephen and Pat occupying the back seat. “What, do I stink or something?” Andy quips.

One might expect that after the flight you might get home, unpack, put your feet up and snooze for a while to re-charge the batteries… “We’ve got to go to this little cocktail do, do you want to come along?” Andy asks. “So, we go back to the house, have a quick look round, cases in the hall and off we go,” Stephen laughs.

“We get in the car, dressed like you would be for travelling, turn up at the Hilton hotel to see people there, clearly with lots of money, immaculately dressed at the cocktail party! Pat looks at me and I look at Pat and we think “Oh My God”,” gasps Stephen at the memory. “But I have to say nobody even gave us a look. Anyway, there were cocktails and a young Russian guy, who was doing a recital – he was absolutely incredible. His fingers moved so fast it was amazing. And after he’d played two pieces Andy whispers – “I’ve got to go”. So we creep out of this recital, get to the car and go to a restaurant with Andy saying “we’re going to eat now”.

At the restaurant it’s a chance for a re-union as they meet up with Ginger (see “Gingerisms”, blog), John, Andy’s friend Scott, and Audrey amongst others. Unfortunately, the steaks took a little while to come and just as they do arrive cue – “We’ve got to go now”.

They were off this time to see a live band – Meridian West – that Ginger is connected to, with Stephen and Pat once again feeling just slightly at the upper end of the age demographic. Not to worry, the band was great, and once the set had finished at 11.45 they joined them for a drink. Finally, Stephen and Pat had chance to catch their breath, and eventually headed back to Andy’s house in a taxi, only to be greeted by two excitable dogs, which belonged to a friend of Andy’s, after having managed to negotiate the many security numbers to allow them entry.

The event was the next day and a nervous Andy, who isn’t keen on public speaking (despite being so good at it!), insisted on reciting his speech to Stephen, Pat, Scott and his partner during the morning, before realizing that the trousers of the suit he had selected to wear for the event (after many frantic phone calls from Ginger) had unfinished bottoms. Cue Pat to the rescue with a needle and thread which was dug out from the depths of Andy’s house. They showed off a bit of calf at the first attempt but Pat soon had Andy looking dapper with his trousers at a tidy length.

On to the event and Stephen and Pat were greeted with tremendously high ceilings in the exclusive venue where there was a huge buzz going round as guests consumed drinks and snacks prior to the eagerly anticipated Elton John concert. And the guests weren’t to be disappointed as Stephen, who has seen Elton perform six or seven times, said that this was “the best concert I’ve ever seen him do”. He sang a collection of his hits in the set, including Daniel, Philadelphia Freedom, Tiny Dancer, Crocodile Rock and I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues. All partied out, Stephen and Pat finally got back to Andy’s pad at 1am.

Stephen and Pat stayed on at Andy’s for a few extra days to have the chance to look around Austin. As well as taking in the local sights, Stephen and Pat were invited for a go on the jet-ski, but wisely declined. They went out for breakfast every morning and went to watch Andy practice three times at the Westwood club where he hit up with Sam Querrey. Andy’s brother and coach, John, also showed them round the area to see Andy’s school and his first tennis club, where he was first signed up after his Mom had tried to get rid of him one day in the school holidays! Who would have imagined then….

All in all, it was a great trip and Stephen is now looking forward to hooking up with Andy and the boys when they arrive back in London in June as Andy bids for his fifth Queen’s Club title.