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By Sandra Harwitt
The future arrived on a late Sunday afternoon in early September
and no one was happier about it than Andy Roddick.
And you can be sure that the newly minted U.S. Open champion,
who cried tears of joy with family, friends and girlfriend,
actress/singer Mandy Moore, didn’t waste any time in
anoun- ncing to the world that he felt a great weight lifted
from his shoulders now that he hadcomplied with long-held
expectations.
“No more, ‘What’s it feel like to be the future
of American tennis’ crap. No more,” said Roddick,
his first words to a packed house of reporters before they
could even squeeze in a question after his amazing 6-3, 7-6
(7-2), 6-3 victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero.
No one can blame Roddick for the sentiment expressed, since
he’s spent the past three years fielding questions about
when he planned on coming through with the goods to become
the next great American player. Once Roddick had excelled
in his last year of the juniors—winning the prestigious
Orange Bowl, Australian Open and U.S. Open boy’s titles—all
eyes were focused on the Floridian.
Roddick had survived what many consider the toughest grand
slam to conquer, made even tougher this year by four straight
days of rain taking its toll on the schedule. And he had also
survived all the scrutiny of will he or won’t he become
the next Yank to succeed.
In perfect symmetry that he referred to as “I don’t
think you could have written a script any better,” Roddick
officially ushered in the new generation as Pete Sampras said
good-bye in an opening night celebration of his remarkable
career.
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