Andy Roddick

Andrew "Andy" Stephen Roddick, (born August 30, 1982, Omaha, Nebraska, USA), nicknamed "A-Rod" http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8347427/, is an American former World No. 1 tennis player. As of September 2005, Roddick ranked as the best male U.S. tennis player and the third-best in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals, behind Federer and Nadal. Roddick is known for his explosive serves, powerful forehands, and off-court charm.

Personal

Roddick was born in Omaha, Nebraska, moved to Boca Raton, Florida, and now lives in Austin, Texas.

Related Topics:
Omaha - Nebraska - Boca Raton, Florida - Austin, Texas

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Roddick's father Jerry is an investor; his mother Blanche directs the Andy Roddick Foundation. Roddick's brother John was an All-American tennis player at the University of Georgia from 1996 to 1998, and operates a tennis academy in San Antonio, Texas. Their oldest brother, Lawrence, a chiropractor in San Antonio, was an accomplished springboard diver and a member of U.S. Senior National Team.

Related Topics:
Andy Roddick Foundation - All-America - University of Georgia - San Antonio, Texas

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Roddick is considered a U.S. sports celebrity. Following his 2003 US Open win, Roddick embarked on a 12-hour media blitz, appearing on the Today Show, MTV, CNN, and The Late Show with David Letterman, among others. He has thrown out the first pitch at several Major League Baseball games, most recently Game 2 of the 2003 Oakland-Boston playoff series. After winning the NASDAQ tournament, Roddick opened that stock market on August 20, 2003.

Related Topics:
Celebrity - Today Show - MTV - CNN - The Late Show with David Letterman - Major League Baseball - NASDAQ

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He hosted Saturday Night Live on November 8, 2003, becoming the second tennis player (the first being Chris Evert) and only the tenth athlete to do so. He won the 2004 ESPY award for best male tennis player. He was deemed "Sexiest Athlete" by People Magazine's December 2003 issue of "Sexiest Man Alive". Roddick has appeared in Vogue magazine.

Related Topics:
Saturday Night Live - Chris Evert - ESPY - "Sexiest Athlete" - People Magazine - Vogue magazine

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In 2004, Roddick won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award of the Year because of his charity efforts, which include: raising money for the survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami through Serving for Tsunami Relief and other efforts; auctioning off several rackets and autographs to raise money for UNICEF; and creating the Andy Roddick Foundation to help at-risk youth. The foundation is partly funded through the sale of blue wristbands inscribed "No Compromise," mimicking Lance Armstrong's yellow Livestrong bands.

Related Topics:
Arthur Ashe - 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami - Serving for Tsunami Relief - UNICEF - Lance Armstrong - Livestrong

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Roddick was dating actress Mandy Moore until they broke up in March 2004. He is currently rumoured to be dating one of the world's best tennis stars in Maria Sharapova.

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In 2005, Roddick appeared on VH1's 100 Most Wanted Bodies, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Punk'd after being tricked by Ashton Kutcher on his way to the Tonight Show. Roddick also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Related Topics:
VH1 - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Punk'd - Ashton Kutcher - Jimmy Kimmel Live

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In April 2005, Reebok announced that it would end its contract with Roddick, who had been endorsed by the company ever since he was 10. Roddick has now joined forces with Lacoste.

Related Topics:
Reebok - Lacoste

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