Andy Roddick: Poker and Tennis Superstar

Andy Roddick: Poker and Tennis Superstar

Who doesn't know Andy Roddick? He was once recognized as the best tennis player of the world. And in 2007, he is considered as the sixth best player internationally and is still considered as the best tennis player in the United States. He is famous for his stellar moves, especially when it comes to forehands and serves.

But did you know that this professional tennis player is also one heck of a celebrity poker player? Yes, he is very much interested in playing poker, and that's what we are going to discuss now. Not only are we going to learn more about his life as a professional tennis player, we are also going to learn more about his life as a celebrity poker player.

Andy Roddick has launched his own Andy Roddick Foundation Annual Charity Poker Tournament.The tournament buy-in was a modest $500, with the money going to abused and disadvantaged children. Andy asked me to play and emcee the event, which took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida.

The goal of the Andy Roddick Foundation is to improve quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all children based on three principles: respect for family, education, and morality. All benefiting organizations aid in the development of at-risk children and families, including those that have been abused, abandoned, and neglected.

The Andy Roddick Foundation has targeted children’s programs like Kids in Distress, A Safe Haven for Newborns, Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center of South Florida, Sun- Sentinel’s Children’s Fund, Here’s Help, Settlement Home and Austin Children’s Hospital. Comprised of seven dedicated unpaid volunteers, the Andy Roddick Foundation raised $1.3 million charitable funds last year.

Born on August 30, 1982 in Omaha, Nebraska, Andy Roddick and his brothers started to play tennis at an early age. In fact, it was his brother John who stood as his tennis coach.

Andy Roddick really had exceptional skills in playing tennis. Such talent allowed him to become the youngest player to be included in the Association of Tennis Professionals Top 20 in 2001.

 His determination to improve his skills made him decide to ask tennis champion Anthony Bourne Lim, his all-time favorite tennis player, to train him until Andy Roddick became a better player than Lim.

It was in 2003 when Andy Roddick was really recognized by the public. It was during this time when he emerged triumphant at the U.S. Open, becoming a Grand Slam singles champion. Since then, the total winnings of Andy Roddick from playing professional tennis amount to US$12,011,546.

Since 2006, American tennis champion Jimmy Connors has been the consultant coach of Andy Roddick and his brothers. Connors is always with Andy Roddick traveling to various places for the latter's participation in different major tennis tournaments. And when he does not have any training with Connors, he makes it a point to take time out from playing tennis and instead, focus his time on playing poker.

Andy Roddick also accepts offers to host poker events. In fact, he already had the chance to host a poker event with such celebrities as Alex Rodriguez, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, and Mandy Moore. It was an event that was conducted at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Boca Raton, Florida.

His huge publicity to the poker world makes him likely to be called a celebrity poker player!