London Calling – Day 3 Diary
Roddick A Hit With The Kids
Andy Roddick was forced to withdraw from the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals due to a knee injury, but the American has been in town the past couple of days to soak up the fantastic atmosphere at The O2 and fulfill sponsor commitments.
On Tuesday, Roddick helped launch the Barclays Ball Kids Campaign – a nationwide search to find ball kids for the 2010 season finale. In excess of 600 children from the “Barclays Spaces For Sports” initiative came to watch the tennis on Tuesday – raucously cheering on their favourites – and 40 were invited to meet fan favourite Roddick at the launch.
Also present at the photo call, held on the practice court, were four ball kids from this year’s tournament, who had just stepped off court where they had been working the del Potro-Verdasco match. Roddick was an instant hit with the youngsters, high-fiving, shaking hands and signing shirts for all concerned.
“I was a ball kid on numerous occasions,” said the 27-year-old Texan. “I don’t know if I ever made the cut to a pro tournament but I certainly did a couple of bigger junior tournaments and a couple of college tournaments. I always had a good time; it was a better option than heading for a ticket!
“I’m amazed with this event and also the fan support that it’s received,” he added. “Every time, from Queen’s to Wimbledon to now this event, it just seems like the London tennis community really reacts. I’m envious of the guys who are here playing because it’s such a good atmosphere just to see.”
Star Alliance
Following his victory over Fernando Verdasco, Tandil native Juan Martin del Potro revealed he is friends with Argentina and Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. “I spoke with Tevez last night. Maybe he [will] come tonight to watch Roger. [It] is more interesting than my match (laughter),” joked the US Open champion, who explained they have been friends for many years.
Roddick Plans “Neil Harman Fragrance”
Andy Roddick is well known for his rapport with tennis journalists and was in humorous mood as he sat down with Lacoste Chief Executive, Christophe Chenut to announce a renewal of his partnership with the French clothing company until 2013.
When asked by seasoned British tennis journalist, Neil Harman of The Times, about his input into a new Lacoste fragrance, Roddick quipped: “We’re actually thinking about calling it Neil Harman. We think it’s going to be a hit amongst the other tennis journalists around the world (smiling). That’s kind of what we were thinking, what we’re building towards. Fingers crossed there. We’re in it for you.”
There are 2 Comments to "London Calling – Day 3 Diary"
Mike,
We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tennis and not so thrilled you couldn’t get to one of our restaurants! The O2 has been jam-packed this week during the tennis and we’ve had to open additional shutters, mainly due to folk arriving for the afternoon tennis sessions. We reckon you were directed through exit F, but you should have then been effortlessly re-directed through the main entrance, which clearly wasn’t done, so we’re sorry!
Enjoyed tennis on Tuesday afternoon but afterwards we tried to eat in one of the resturants BUT the stewards insisted we left by the door by the funfair and they would not let us go to the shops,or resturants! I wonder if the resturant owners know this? We choose to eat elsewhere…..I wonder how many customers you lost on Tuesday.
Please do not say it is to do with crowd control!!!!!
Mike