Roddick Hoping For Encore Performance At Us Open

Andy Roddick enjoys the subtleties of being a celebrity in the Big Apple.

He likes the fact that he can hit the city streets at night and “people watch”" instead of everyone watching him. He likes that fans who recognize him don’t usually gawk or gush but simply offer a casual “hey”" so they have a story to tell friends.

That’s all well and good when he’s walking the city blocks. But for the next two weeks, tennis” rock star would prefer to be worshipped. Because that’s what happens when an American succeeds at the U.S. Open. And Roddick plans to experience the ultimate success here for the second consecutive year.

“It’s not like anything else in tennis,”" said Roddick, who turns 22 on Monday and begins his U.S. Open title defense Tuesday night. “I mean, especially being an American playing here, kind of having somewhat of a history with the crowds here. I’m excited. It’s electric when you get out there. I can’t wait to do it again.”"

Last year, Roddick broke through with his first Grand Slam title at the Open, beating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final.

It was a much-anticipated title - one that many had predicted for Roddick since he turned pro in 2000.

One year after fulfilling his apparent destiny, Roddick says he returns to the Open under less pressure, despite his past three tournaments have ended with losses to Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Fernando Gonzalez.

`MORE RELAXED”

“I have that thing in the back of my mind that I’ve done it before,”" said Roddick, the No. 2 seed in the tournament. “Last year, it was set up for catastrophe, with me playing so well coming in. I think I’m a little more relaxed this year. Deep down, I think I’m a little bit more confident.”"

His confidence might also be slightly elevated by the fact that his primary nemesis, Federer, is the No. 1 overall seed and on the opposite side of the draw. Roddick is 1-7 lifetime against Federer, including a four-set loss to the Swiss player in the Wimbledon final.

After losing to Federer in the final of the Tennis Masters Series tournament in Toronto in July, Roddick said Federer was beginning to get “annoying.”" And losing to the world’s No. 1 player in the U.S. Open final would only add to the irritation.

Federer has never gotten past the fourth round in the U.S. Open, making a meeting in the final seem a relative long shot. And yet, the match up would just feel right.

THE BREAKDOWN

Roddick leads the tour in wins with 60, but Federer has a higher winning percentage (58-6, .906). Federer leads the tour with eight titles, with Roddick in second with four. Roddick is the defending U.S. Open champ, but Federer has won three of the past five slams and could become the first since Mats Wilander in 1988 to win three in one year.

Federer certainly wouldn’t mind facing Roddick, even in the American’s backyard.

“I can return his serve quite comfortably - not easily, but comfortably - and get it back and make him hit not such an easy second shot,”" Federer said. “I guess it’s just luck because I never worked on returning a 150 mph serve. Not many guys you can work on that with.”"

The U.S. Open, though, has a way of bringing out the best in Roddick.

He is 15-2 in the past three U.S. Opens, losing only to eventual champions Pete Sampras in 2002 and Lleyton Hewitt in 2001.

Roddick isn’t ready to claim sole ownership of the USTA National Tennis Center. But it certainly feels like home - if his home included 23,000 raucous fans cheering him on.

“It’s just a place that I’m comfortable,”" Roddick said. “I don’t know about it being `my house,” but maybe it’s a hotel room I’ve stayed in before.”"