Andy on NYC chances

25 August, 2008 | 09:08

Pic: Ella Ling

ANDY goes into the US Open full of confidence after his triumph in the Masters in Cincinatti and refreshed and rested from the Beijing Olympics.

Talking from the 40th floor of the Le Parker Meridien Hotel (views overlooking Central Park and the Hudson river, if you're jealous), Andy was as upbeat as ever on his chances in NYC.

"I am playing well, I've got my highest rating ever and this is one of my favourite tournaments in one of my favourite cities.

"I have great memories winning as a junior here and staying at my first Five Star hotel, the Grand Hyatt near Grand Central Station. The city is always buzzing.

"Ive got a very good chance of winning here. The more often you beat the top ten players the better you've got to feel about your chances of winning.

"I am well prepared and stronger mentally and physically than I've ever been and I've also got that extra confidence which always  comes from winning.

"It's not the other top players that put pressure on me necessarily. Any top player puts pressure on themselves. You have to do that to win.

"I don't set myself a goal to get only so far in the tournament. I am going out to do my best to win it - this is a huge tournament for me. You have get your head around winning seven matches - that's the challenge you face in winning it.

"This is my best surface and I think I play my best tennis here. I feel very comfortable and the crowds are noisy and give the atmosphere a big buzz. I like the feel of the tournament. It's my best chance of winning a Grand Slam.

"My record against the top guys apart from Nadal is very good. I think a lot of the other players now respect me and regard me as a top player.

"I don't think I'm too far away from beating Nadal apart from on clay!  My game is going to get better over the next year or two years and I will beat him sooner rather than later.

"But I am not ready to breeze through a Grand Slam. I am sure there will be some very tough matches along the way."