Ocean Drive: How important was your win over Pete Sampras?
You've been called the next Sampras or Agassi.What similarities do you see?
Were you shocked to beat Pete at the Ericsson?
How did you start playing tennis?
When did your talent really start to show?
What did you give up to get where you are today?
Do you have a girlfriend now?
You probably meet so many girls on the road.
What type of girls do you like?
Does she have to know a lot about tennis?
Are you the gentleman type?
So the girl doesn't pay when she's on a date with you?
Where do you take a girl on a first date?
Do people recognize you on the street?
Where have you travelled?
Do you ever experience culture shock?
The United States Tennis Association is pushing you to revive the public's interest in tennis,almost like Tiger Woods did with golf.How do you feel about that?
Describe the "perfect" crowd.
The public has really started to take notice of you.How do you stay grounded?
Tennis players have become sex symbols.Does the sport need attractive players to survive?
You look a bit like James Dean.
Have you ever done anything rebellious?
Do you go th church?
All athletes develop reputations over time.What's yours?
This Interview is from Ocean Drive Magazine.
ANDY: It was big,and gave me an overall confidence and belief in myself.I surprised a lot of people with that win,but anyone in the tennis circle knew I could play.
I don't compare myself to anybody.Those guys are 2 of the greatest players of all time,and I'm not trying to follow them.I'm doing my own thing.I hit the ball hard and control the matches.
"Shocked" is too big a word.I was really happy with it.If I would have lost,fine,but I wasn't going into it.
My older brother went to tournaments and I always tagged along.When you're around something long enough,you pick it up.
I started when I was 10,and it's kinda impossible to tell if someone is going to be good at such a young age.So many factors go into being a tennis player.I started thinking about going pro at 16.
I didn't miss anything as far as the high-school experience goes.I played on my basketball the last 2 years,I went to the prom 3 times.
No.I definitely do the dating thing,but no one steady right now.It's cool to meet gitls at tournaments or in foreign countries and see what they're like.It's a cool experience to get to know people from other cultures.
I don't have groupies,but the one cool thing about being a tennis player is that you meet someone new every week.I have girl fans,but nothing bizarre has happened yet.
I'm not sure.I'm diverse when it comes to looks_I've dated all kinds.I like someone who can be mellow_no one too intense.My job is always so intense,so I like to be with someone who can just kick back and have a good time.
I've gone with girls who don't.It's definitely not like I'd tell a girl who doesn't know anything about tennis to go away!It's about meeting different people and experiencing different things.
Definitely.You have to treat ladies with respect.
No,no,no,no,no.
Usually on a first date,I just do the dinner thing.You don't want to make it too long,because then you run out of stuff to talk about,but you also want to show her a good time.You don't want to take her to McDonald's,but you also shouldn't all out on a first date_that might freak her out a little bit.
Most people don't know who the hell I am and that doesn't bother me at all.
Everywhere_Asia,Europe,Australia,South America.
It's hard when you go somewhere like Asia,where they don't speak much English.I found a big communication barrier in Thailand.Their writing is different_all symbols and stuff_and I couldn't figure out anything.I had to wait at an airport in Thailand for 5 hours because I didn't know how to use the phone.My coach was already at the hotel with the others players and I couldn't get hold of him.I waited until another group of tennis guys arrived and then I just jumped into a taxi with them.
That's impossible_Tiger completely transformed a sport.I just hope I can do something positive.but overall,it's kind of fun.I play much better when there's a buzz around.A couple of times I've played badly,and it has been when the crowd and match weren't electric.
Anytime when it's close to being a packed house,like at thi year's ericsson.The crowd was really into it_they're oooohing and ahhhhing over what's happening.they're getting behind both players,appreciating the tennis.
I'm just kind of normal and I don't know why it's such a surprise.I'm not doing anything special.
People who play tennis are in shape and that's why looks are so closely associated with the sport.Obviously,someone like Anna Kournkova is gorgeous,and that will attract attention,but everyone alwaysnotices a good-looking person_it's not just tennis.
That's weird.
I have always been pretty good,but I'm a smart-ass.I've never been into the whole smoking thing or anything like that.
I'm Catholic and went to a religious school until eighth grade,and now I go to church whenever I can,but it's though.
Is there such a thing as a normal tennis-player-type guy?
I'm not very outlandish.On the court,I have a temper,but it's not out of control.I get pumped up,but I don't do anything crazy.I'm not really sure what I'll be known for,but I'd like to be known for winning.
