TNT Sports
A Rod embraces fairytale
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Published 08/09/2003 at 08:58 GMT+1
Even though he insisted it had not sunk in, the significance of Andy Roddick's U.S. Open tour de force on Sunday was not lost on the stunned American. "I don't think you could have written the script any better," Roddick said after his 6-3 7-6 6-3 final v
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"We started here with Pete Sampras's retirement, and then Michael Chang leaving (the game).
"Now this ... it's more than I could ever dream of.
"So no more 'what does it feel like to be the future of American tennis?' stuff.
"It feels good to be the present."
For weeks, as Roddick had amassed a stupendous hardcourt run of 20 wins in 21 matches, the excitable chatter over his Flushing Meadows chances hit an unprecedented level.
Then, on the first Monday of the season's final major, he watched as a nation honoured compatriot Sampras, retiring from the game with 14 grand slam titles.
Less than a day later, Chang lost in the first round to confirm his own retirement and, on Saturday, Andre Agassi, another revered American champion, surprisingly lost in the semi-finals.
So as the new champion-elect in the eyes of the United States, it was clear Roddick had nowhere left to hide.
Obligingly, he embraced the opportunity and shined so brightly it left no doubt as to who is now the biggest star in the sport's firmament.
"But I don't believe I've won," he said with a smile as wide as his margin of victory.
"It's so far-fetched for me. I came here as a fan so much when I was younger. It is an absolute privilege to have my name on the trophy.
"And if I'm at the vanguard of new interest in tennis, if my winning promotes the sport, then awesome."
COMPELLING CELEBRATION
His celebration, after securing victory with another ace, was actually more compelling than the one-sided final itself.
Climbing up the stands to embrace his family, coach Brad Gilbert and actress girlfriend Mandy Moore -- who had flown overnight from Los Angeles to witness his coronation -- emotion got the better of the 21-year-old.
"I knew I was going to cry ... I was just so happy and wanted to share the moment with everyone who has supported me," Roddick said.
"The whole tournament has been amazing. Maybe I'll have a better explanation for what just took place in a couple of days."
In New York twelve months ago, he was put in his place by Sampras in a quarter-final defeat.
This season, he lost in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
"I've come a long way," he explained.
"Pete schooled me last year.
"And, for sure, I was concerned about how I was going to handle the big occasion. The hardest thing is fear of the unknown.
"But I was baffled by how calm I felt out there. I almost didn't feel anything."
Those last comments suggest Roddick has the capacity to dominate his sport like others have done before him.
"When I was about seven or eight, I used to play at home in Texas and (pretend) I was beating Lendl, Becker, Edberg, Agassi and Sampras," Roddick said.
"But I'm not gonna come here now and say I'm the best thing since sliced bread.
"I want to keep working hard and improve. Who knows what the future will hold?
"I just want to live in the moment."
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