Roddick can't wait for 'electric' atmosphere

Andy Roddick hopes to use home advantage to the maximum as he begins the defence of his US Open crown next week.

Andy Roddick hopes to use home advantage to the maximum as he begins the defence of his US Open crown next week.

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Roddick, who opens this year against American wildcard Scoville Jenkins, landed his first grand slam title here last year and he can't wait to get back out onto the Arthur Ashe show court.

"It's not like anything else in tennis, especially under lights," Roddick told reporters at a sun-baked Flushing Meadows. "I mean especially being American, playing here, having somewhat of a history with the crowds. I'm excited.

"It's electric when you get out there. I can't wait to do it again."

Roddick, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Monday, is plastered across advertising hoardings in downtown Manhattan. An advertisement in the New York Times declares "127 men want his title, 40 million women want his phone number."

But he is quite comfortable with the role, even if he cannot walk down Broadway unnoticed like his rival and world number one Roger Federer.

"I have a pretty good groove in this city," said Roddick. "You know, I stay in the same place and I like bumming around the city. Yeah, people notice me in New York, but they're real cool about it."

Federer, who holds a 7-1 lead in head-to-heads over Roddick, said he is quite happy to blend into the Manhattan crowds. Without his tennis racket and trademark white headband he can walk around largely untroubled.

He is more concerned with ending a poor record at Flushing Meadows where he has never gone beyond the fourth round.

"I think it's time for me to step it up," said the unassuming Swiss, who is staying downtown despite the frenzy created by the Republic Party Conference.

"I have no problems with New York, the crowds, the busy life, the high security, it's a nice change for me. But I just want to play better this year."

Federer faces a tricky opener against former French Open winner Albert Costa and he knows there will be more obstacles before he can contemplate a potential final against Roddick.

But if that showdown does happen, he will take plenty of confidence on to the court.

"Since Wimbledon there has been a lot of talk about the rivalry and I think rivalries are good for tennis and sport in general. But with the 7-1 record against him the rivalry hasn't really started yet.

"The one time he beat me it was 7-6 in the third. Time will tell if it's really going to start.

"But Andy's going to be difficult to beat here, he's got the whole crowd. He should use that advantage."