After spending Thanksgiving with his family in Texas, Andy Roddick had a chance to reflect on the year. Given his tennis season, some may find it quite ironic that he still wanted to give thanks.
â2006 brought me more joy than any other year in my tennis career thus far. Yes, you heard me correctly,â Roddick blogged on his site. âI had more exhilarating fun coming back this summer than I had had before. It was almost comparable to when I was first coming up when I was seventeen and had everything to prove.
âI donât think I will ever take winning for granted again. It was a learning experience that I wonât forget anytime soon.
âI also want to thank all of you fans for sticking by me. It was tough to keep up a strong exterior with a lot of negativity and questions swirling what felt like all the time.â
As he does every year at this time, Roddick is showing his appreciation for what the sport has given him by hopping across the U.S. participating in various tennis events benefiting charity. He also has his own charity banquet coming up later this month in both his adopted hometowns of Austin, Texas and Boca Raton, Florida.
On top of that, this year the 24-year-old former No. 1 will put his money where his mouth is when he hosts a Texas Hold âEm poker tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Boca this weekend. Celebs such as Paris and Nicky Hilton, Alex Rodriquez, and former girlfriend Mandy Moore will be on hand to play a hand or twoâuntil either their luck or money runs out.
âI love to play poker and I play it a lot. Unfortunately, for me, there is a big difference between playing a lot of poker and being a good poker player,â Roddick confided.
On Dec. 17, Lionel Richie will return to Austin to sing at Roddickâs charity dinner for the second year. The event, previously slated for Nov. 21, was postponed when Richie was asked to perform at the American Music Awards, held the same evening.
Having fun while helping others is a great way to spend the off-season and for Roddick, that is thanks enough. âObviously the biggest thrill is hearing how what we have done has really given a child a better chance at life. That is what it is all about and it is very rewarding for all parties involved."
Another reason to give thanks this year? Not just a resurgent summer and a climb back into the Top 10. Roddick was also named âSexiest 24-year-oldâ in People magazineâs âSexiest at Any Ageâ section. Now thatâs something to hang in his stocking.