Houston (USA), Nov 19: Andy Roddick has become the world's number one tennis player under the guidance of Andre Agassi's former coach. Now he plans to follow Agassi's ultra-fitness training regimen to try staying on top.

Reigning US Open champion Roddick finished atop the year-end ATP rankings released Monday after a run to the semi-finals of the ATP Masters Cup, which ended here Sunday with Roger Federer beating Agassi in the final.
Federer rose to number two in the world and is the prime foe Roddick must consider as top players begin their preparations for January's Australian Open.
Roddick, coached by ex-Agassi mentor Brad Gilbert, plans to start a serious off-season fitness programme in December. He wants to improve his conditioning and prepare for the challenge of proving his 2003 run to glory was no fluke.
"I hope to get started on a good physical training programme," Roddick said. "I think (Agassi) is a great model for it. This is the one time where you can go all-out on physical activity and not have to worry about the consequences of having to play the next week.



"I just want to keep improving. I might finish next year 3, 4, or 5 but feel like I'm a better player."



Roddick joins a legacy of year-end number ones such as Agassi, John Mcenroe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras. But the 21-year-old American said only time and achievement will make him worthy.



"I'm not in any of their classes yet," Roddick said. "You think of them as legends of the game. To be in that breath for a day maybe is kind of cool. I know if I want to stay there I'm going to have to go to work."


Bureau Report