Andy Roddick excited about better 2010

London: Former world number one Andy Roddick is confident of a much better showing in 2010 despite missing out on this week’s season finale here at the O2.

“I’m excited,” the American beamed after being asked to reflect on the season gone by.

Roddick flew in to London on Monday in keeping with ATP rules and regulations that stipulate that players need to still turn up at the venue even after pulling out. A knee injury during his match against Stanislas Wawrinka at the Shanghai Masters forced the American to pull out from the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, making place for ninth ranked Robin Soderling.

“I don’t think you can compare this year to the previous year or even the previous couple of years. I put myself in a position to win a Grand Slam. Before that I made the semis in Australia, something that I have not done for a couple of years. And to follow it up with the Wimbledon final and then have my best showing at the French Open, it was good for me,” Roddick admitted.

The American had qualified for this year-ending spectacle at the O2, but had to pull out at the last minute due to the knee injury he sustained in China. And despite the heartache of having to watch from the spectators stands, Roddick is cherishing his best year ever on the road.

“Beyond losing the final in Wimbledon (5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14), the only obvious disappointment for me was the US Open (where he lost to fellow American John Isner). But as a whole it’s one of the more complete years I’ve had. Obviously you’re taking the last two months out of the equation,” Roddick insisted.

“But definitely I view this as one of the most complete years that I’ve had, and right now I view it as something to try and build on.”

He rued the fortnight after the Shanghai Masters as being the most boring “two weeks of my life”. “I was literally on the couch going on and off ice packs every 20 minutes. And then there was not a lot of walking or anything else to be done either,” he said.

However, progress has been good on the knee and he has managed to start light jogging in the past couple of weeks. He even visited his doctor here earlier on Tuesday, who evaluated him and gave him the thumbs up to resume tennis activity. “I’m thankful that I’m able to make a full recovery for next season,” Roddick maintained.

The American, once the world number one way back in 2003, has already set his plans for 2010 starting with the Brisbane Open followed by the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne. “I’m trying to get down there (Brisbane) probably earlier than I normally would so that I try and get used to conditions in heat. Obviously, I’d love to get some sets in with these guys before it’s all said and done,” he stated.

“I am excited to kind of start the next year,” Roddick smiled.