Andy Roddick has been named as one of the contestants in the 2001 National City Bank Exhibition on Friday, August 3. The annual exhibition will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Stowe Tennis Stadium on the campus of Kalamazoo College. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the opening ceremonies of the United States Tennis Association Boys' 18 and 16 Super National Hardcourt Championships.

The 18-year-old Roddick, who turned professional in 2000, has had an incredible year on the circuit. In April, he defeated Xavier Malisse of Belgium at the Verizon Atlanta Tennis Challenge to take the title and became the first American teenage to win an ATP event since 19-year-old Michael Chang. A week later, he beat Hyung-Taik Lee to win the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston, becoming the first teenage American to win back-to-back titles since Andre Agassi in 1987. Roddick also won a Challenger event in Hawaii, and defeated Pete Sampras at the Ericsson Open in Florida en route to the event's Quarterfinals. At this year's French Open, he reached the third round, and at Wimbledon lost in the same round to eventual Champion Goran Ivanisevic in a tough four set match. Currently ranked 24th in the ATP Champions race, he was also named to the United States Davis Cup Team.

Roddick has been described as the brightest U.S. tennis prospect to rush the net in years, and is considered a prime candidate for America's next Grand Slam Champion. Timon Corwin, tournament director, remembers watching Roddick when he played in Kalamazoo. "I vividly recall Andy's 16s final in 1998 against Alex Bogomolov. When Andy lost, he was very upset; you could see back then that he hated losing. Andy was very popular here," added Corwin, "and made some close friends who are very excited to see him on Stowe's courts again."

The Super Nationals begin with match play on Friday, August 3 and culminate with the singles championships on Sunday, August 12. Nearly 400 of the nation's best young male tennis players vie for titles in both singles and doubles in the 18s and 16s divisions.

For National City Bank exhibition and tournament ticket information, call (616) 337-7343.

Media contact: Darlene Pontello (616) 349-7775 ext. 3113 or home, (616) 327-0948

Source: Colette Lewis (Tournament Office)