Roddick opts for Olympic challenge
OAKLAND, California -- World number one Andy Roddick will play in the Olympic tennis tournament for the United States this summer.
"Athens 2004 -- we're definitely going," said Roddick's coach, Brad Gilbert, shrugging off fears that the the event is too close to his charge's defence of the U.S. Open title.
Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt of Australia cited that reason for his withdrawal from the Olympics on Thursday..
The Olympic Games are scheduled for August 15-22, ending eight days before the start of the U.S. Open, where Roddick will defend his first major title.
Roddick hired Gilbert, who previously coached Andre Agassi, after he suffered a first-round loss in the French Open this year. With Gilbert, Roddick reached the Wimbledon semifinals, won the U.S. Open and rose to No. 1 in the rankings.
Gilbert, who spoke at an Oakland Athletics' fund-raiser in Calfornia, is enthusiastic about the Olympics.
"I was with Andre when he won gold in '96 in Atlanta, and I played on the team in Seoul in '88," Gilbert said. "It was a great experience."
Hewitt's Belgian girlfriend, Kim Clijsters, also pulled out because she won't be allowed to wear apparel from her own sponsor.
