Roddick ready to roll at Miami Masters

The joyride Andy Roddick started out on last year at the Nasdaq-100 Open Masters is over.

The trip from promising unknown to worldwide sport celebrity completed in a whirlwind 12 months of smooth cruising.

In a year Roddick has gone from a 118 world ranking to number 12, a gangly 18-year-old to one of US magazine's 20 most sexiest people.

Like every journey, Roddick's has a starting point and his was a breakthrough performance at last year's Miami Masters where he defeated former-World number one Marcelo Rios, 13-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras on route to the quarter-finals where he felt to current world number one Lleyton Hewitt.

"It was kind of like a joyride," recalled Roddick. "Now I wake up and it's more reality coming to the courts and practicing and stuff like that.

"So I'm trying not to look back too much.

"I'm trying to live in the now and look towards the future."

If Roddick were to allow himself a glance in the rearview mirror he would have plenty to look back on.

A wildcard a year ago, Roddick returns to the Miami Masters as the 10th seed, with a first round bye.

He has three titles, a million dollars in prize money in the bank and millions more in endorsements.

He was the toast of Paris after fighting through cramps to beat Michael Chang in an epic struggle and followed up with an heroic effort against Hewitt before being forced out with a hamstring injury.

He was feted at Wimbledon and is the future of U.S. Davis Cup efforts.

"This tournament definitely means a lot to me," said Roddick. "It's probably my favourite tournament to play each year.

"I've had some good memories here coming up through juniors.

"I had my first really good pro tournament here.

"So it's definitely a special place for me."

"I was just trying to win a match or two last year.

"I just kind of went with the flow and it worked out well for me last year.

"I definitely don't want to get complacent and be satisfied."

EXTRA BAGGAGE

As Roddick heads out on another year on the Tour he brings with him some extra baggage, the burden of expectations that weren't there before.

While the 19-year-old continues to clearly enjoy life as a professional tennis player the realities and demands of his profession have begun to creep into his once carefree existence.

At the Del Ray Beach final two weeks ago an ill Roddick vomited on court but when he pulled out of Indian Wells the next day he was fined $20,000 for late withdrawal despite being obviously sick with the flu.

"I feel good right now," said Roddick. "I started coming around feeling better last Friday and Saturday.

"I was just worn down and also I had the flu.

"I thought with the stretch coming up, this tournament and then the Davis Cup that it was best for me to make sure I was 100 percent for those events."