Roddick ready to rebound from early Wimbledon exit

Washington: Andy Roddick is finding his form after being knocked-out in the fourth round at Wimbledon, the ninth-ranked US star bolstered by a solid workout on Monday ahead of his opener at the ATP Washington Classic.

"It was encouraging. It was good," Roddick said. "I'm hitting the ball differently than I was eight or nine days ago - it's obeying what I want it to do a little more."

Roddick, a champion at Miami and Brisbane earlier this year, seeks his fourth title at the US capital after losing an Atlanta semi-final two weeks ago to Mardy Fish, a pal who had not beaten him in nine matches over seven years.

"I took my lumps in Atlanta. I was half expecting to take them there," Roddick said. "I played Atlanta because I wanted to play well here."

Taiwan's Le Yen-Hsun, whose Washington opener is on Tuesday against Colombian Alejandro Falla, upset Roddick in the round of 16 at Wimbledon, leaving the 27-year-old American short on match preparation before Atlanta.

"It's a little bit of a juggling act but I'm glad I went there and took my lumps," Roddick said. "I feel very comfortable. There's a fine line. (I'm) very close to playing well."

When it comes to the US Open, the year's final Grand Slam event that starts in four weeks, Roddick is just beginning to ready himself.

"I haven't started," he said. "I've played well but I haven't gotten my feet into it yet. This is where the preparation for New York starts."

Roddick does expect the familiar faces, including 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, the reigning Australian Open champion.

"It's just a matter of who hits form," Roddick said. "You will be talking about the same six, seven, eight guys. Last time I checked, Roger has still won a major this year. And he hasn't had a great year by his standards."

Two years from now, Roddick plans to be at the 2012 London Olympics, where he and 13-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams plan to play mixed doubles.

"I've always said my best asset as a doubles player is picking good partners," joked Roddick.

"She was born a pretty good athlete. She has that ability to raise her game. She is just able to step up. She's a champion."

Roddick said he began calling and texting Williams - "borderline stalking" - seconds after learning mixed doubles would be played at London before he "annoyed her into submission."

Roddick dismissed any idea of trying to win several Slam mixed doubles titles ahead of London, although he noted, "I know that's the way she thinks."

Avid NBA fan Roddick was happy to see his beloved Miami Heat land superstar LeBron James last month, although a bit put off about the television special in which James revealed his decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to create an instant title contender.

"We're talking about guys taking less money in order to win," Roddick said. "Aside from the 'telethon', there's nothing you can rip on."

So is "King James" joining the Heat comparable to Roddick joining forces with Serena Williams at the London Olympics?

"That would mean I would consider myself LeBron," Roddick said. "Which I don't."