TENNIS

GREEN WITH ENVY

By Andy Roddick with Lindsay Berra

At age 25, Andy Roddick says he's never been happier. He's beaten the Top 3 this year, split with coach Jimmy Connors and given a diamond to model Brooklyn Decker. It's on to Wimbledon for berries, bubblyand, maybe, a bow.

LONDON CALLING
"When I started, I had three goals: Win the Open, get to No. 1, be part of a winning Davis Cup team and win Wimbledon. Okay, four goals. I've got one left: Wimbledon. Now I'm older, and when I'm in the gym or on the practice court dying, I'm thinking about Wimbledon, I'm thinking about the Open. That's what's on my mind every day. I don't really think about where I'm ranked. If I'm No. 3 or 6, I have the same chance at winning. If you told me I could win Wimbledon and be ranked 20th in the world, I would take it without even thinking. Am I stressing if I end the year at 4 or 6? No."

DOWNTIME
"If the ATP's proposed appearance rules had been in effect back in the day, tennis would have lost the last five years of Andre Agassi. He was able to taper his schedule, pick and choose spots, and be smart about where and when he played. Tennis acts like we're getting something out of pulling out, but we lose money, we lose points. It's not like I pull out of events because I want to play golf. I laugh when I hear that the Red Sox are suffering from jet lag four weeks after they've returned from Japan. I went from Memphis to Dubai to wherever, and there was never any mention of jet lag! We have no off-season. You can't play every week for 11 straight months. You have to prepare your body."

THE GRASS IS GREENER
"I've always played well on grass, and if it weren't for Roger, I'd probably be looking at two or three Wimbledon titles. It's not a matter of my not playing well and needing a change, it's a matter of winning a few more sets.
I don't think I'm tricking myself into believing I have a chance to win. I honestly believe I'm one of a few who has a shot this year, and I'm excited about that. There are fewer guys who know how to play on grass because it's such a short season. I like the grass. And I think if you put yourself in a position often enough, you're going to get hot at the right time."

THE OVER/UNDER
"In press conferences, reporters tell me I'm underachieving. Then I read that I can't hit a backhand and my forehand isn't there anymore. You can't have it both ways: I can't be not able to do anything and still be an underachiever. I feel like I'm going in the right direction. My backhand has improved and I don't shy away from it anymore. it's never going to be a weapon, but I certainly don't think it's a weakness. I know I can't do a lot of things with a ball that some guys can, but I'm a worker. I don't think anyone will say I don't come to play every time. I go to bed at night with no regrets."

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