Andy Roddick

He is currently a top ranked American player; a Grand Slam singles champion and a US Open winner. He had the privilege to play against Roger Federer in four Grand Slam finals including Wimbledon. Andy Roddick has become a staple amongst the champion tennis players of our time being ranked in the Association of Tennis Professionals top 10 from 2002 through 2009. This may have something to do with his incredible ability to serve the fastest in tennis sending the ball soaring at 155mph. Roddick was born in Omaha, Nebraska August 30th, 1982 alongside two older brothers Lawrence and John Roddick who also played tennis. Roddick reached professional status in 2000 by becoming the number one junior in the world and went on winning six world junior singles and seven doubles titles. He later honored himself by winning the US Open and Australian Open junior singles titles that same year. The years that followed awarded him victories against talented players of that time until he hit his breakthrough in 2003 when he defeated Younes El Aynaoui in the quarterfinals of 2003 Australian Open. They competed for five long hours, with the fifth set being the longest fifth set in a Grand Slam tournament at that time.

His career brought him much fame with the media and landed him air time on some of the most popular late night shows on television including Saturday Night Live, The Late Shows with Craig Kilborn, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and even Jay Leno. He appeared on afternoon and primetime shows such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Weakest Link and Sports Center. He was even presented the honor of appearing on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee that airs mid morning. Magazines and music artists jumped on the train and featured Roddick in Men’s Fitness and Michael Tolcher’s Music video “Speed feels better.” Roddick’s media exposure only increased his popularity and became more aware to the world that he was the real deal in tennis. He proceeded to win several awards such as an ESPY and the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award of the Year in 2004. He was awarded for his charity efforts raising money for the survivors of the tsunami and the Indian Ocean Earthquake. He raised money by auctioning off several rackets and autographs. He later created the Andy Roddick Foundation to help at-risk youth; A true champion on and off the tennis court.