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CNN Sunday Morning

Andy Roddick to Face Juan Carlos Ferrero in U.S. Open Finals

Aired September 07, 2003 - 09:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: It was something tennis fans hadn't seen at the U.S. Open in nearly a decade. A women's final without an American on the court.
Instead, a pair of Belgians took to center court. Number two seed Justine Henin-Hardenne came away with the win in straight sets over world number one, Kim Clijsters. It was a rematch of the French Open final, also won by Henin-Hardenne.

And on the men's side, Andre Agassi was upset in his semifinal. But Andy Roddick staged a late comeback to keep alive hopes of an American title at the Open. Josie Burke takes a look at the sometimes out of control 21-year-old.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Standing a point away from elimination in the U.S. Open semifinals, Andy Roddick really could have been any 21-year-old with a decision to make. Act out or grow up. In the biggest match of his life, Roddick chose the latter.

ANDY RODDICK, TENNIS PLAYER: It's maturity. Just playing, you know, you play and you learn. You know, I feel confident right now, so I didn't feel like there was need to panic. I definitely wasn't feeling good about my prospects, but I didn't think it was 100 percent over. If this would have happened a year ago, I probably would have freaked out and gotten upset. I try to keep a pretty even keel.

BURKE: Roddick's transformation occurred just in the nick of time for him and U.S. tennis. At the start of this tournament, Pete Sampras retired. Just before Roddick took the court on Saturday, Andre Agassi lost. That left Roddick as his country's best hope. A scenario that seemed unlikely just four months ago, after he exited the French Open in the first round.

RODDICK: If you would have told me I was going to have the results that I have over the past couple of months, I probably wouldn't have believed you.

BURKE: Even now it's hard for Roddick to comprehend exactly how far he's come.

RODDICK: I'm pumped. I came here so many times when I was younger, and I can't believe I'm actually in a U.S. Open final. You know, that being said, it'd be great to go one step further. BURKE (on camera): Roddick may have credited his maturity for getting him to the finals, but in order to win on Sunday, he'll likely to have rely on his youth. After the grueling five-set match, he had less than 24 hours to recharge before taking the court in his first grand-slam final.

Josie Burke, CNN, Flushing Meadows, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: And we should tell you regardless of today's outcome, the Spaniard, Juan Carlos Ferrero, will take over Andre Agassi's spot at the top of the world rankings. Quite a coveted position.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Finals>


Aired September 7, 2003 - 09:48   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: It was something tennis fans hadn't seen at the U.S. Open in nearly a decade. A women's final without an American on the court.
Instead, a pair of Belgians took to center court. Number two seed Justine Henin-Hardenne came away with the win in straight sets over world number one, Kim Clijsters. It was a rematch of the French Open final, also won by Henin-Hardenne.

And on the men's side, Andre Agassi was upset in his semifinal. But Andy Roddick staged a late comeback to keep alive hopes of an American title at the Open. Josie Burke takes a look at the sometimes out of control 21-year-old.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Standing a point away from elimination in the U.S. Open semifinals, Andy Roddick really could have been any 21-year-old with a decision to make. Act out or grow up. In the biggest match of his life, Roddick chose the latter.

ANDY RODDICK, TENNIS PLAYER: It's maturity. Just playing, you know, you play and you learn. You know, I feel confident right now, so I didn't feel like there was need to panic. I definitely wasn't feeling good about my prospects, but I didn't think it was 100 percent over. If this would have happened a year ago, I probably would have freaked out and gotten upset. I try to keep a pretty even keel.

BURKE: Roddick's transformation occurred just in the nick of time for him and U.S. tennis. At the start of this tournament, Pete Sampras retired. Just before Roddick took the court on Saturday, Andre Agassi lost. That left Roddick as his country's best hope. A scenario that seemed unlikely just four months ago, after he exited the French Open in the first round.

RODDICK: If you would have told me I was going to have the results that I have over the past couple of months, I probably wouldn't have believed you.

BURKE: Even now it's hard for Roddick to comprehend exactly how far he's come.

RODDICK: I'm pumped. I came here so many times when I was younger, and I can't believe I'm actually in a U.S. Open final. You know, that being said, it'd be great to go one step further. BURKE (on camera): Roddick may have credited his maturity for getting him to the finals, but in order to win on Sunday, he'll likely to have rely on his youth. After the grueling five-set match, he had less than 24 hours to recharge before taking the court in his first grand-slam final.

Josie Burke, CNN, Flushing Meadows, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: And we should tell you regardless of today's outcome, the Spaniard, Juan Carlos Ferrero, will take over Andre Agassi's spot at the top of the world rankings. Quite a coveted position.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Finals>