Just before his 2010 season gets underway in Brisbane, Andy has talked about his goals for this year.

“For me it’s been the same goal for a long time: try and win another Grand Slam. At this point in my career I think I’m less concerned whether I finish the year No. 4 or No. 7, it’s more just about putting yourself in position to win big tennis tournaments.

“Last year was good because I did put myself in a position to win it (Wimbledon); didn’t quite get there but if anything that gives me a little bit more belief.”

Looking more specifically at his next month in Australia, Andy shared his hopes for the Australian Open,

“Obviously I feel like maybe I could have played a final there before. It hasn’t quite happened but there’s not a lot of people walking around that can say – there’s probably one that’s active right now [Federer] – that they’ve played in four semi-finals.

“[My record] is good. It could be better and I want it to be better.”

Andy’s 2009 season was cut short with a knee injury, incurred at the Shanghai masters 1000 in October. Andy has given an update on his fitness going into 2010,

“[The knee] It’s coming around all right. I don’t know if it will be perfect for a while but it’s getting close. It’s just a matter now of just getting range and motion back. As far as running and drills, it’s fine, I don’t feel any pain. It’s not something that should hinder me on court.

“I haven’t played a match in over three months so I’m certainly chomping on the bit to get back.”

We’re looking forward to having you back on court, Andy!

Stay tuned to AR.com for all the latest on Andy’s progress at the Brisbane Internantional, beginning on Sunday.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—Robin Soderling and David Ferrer advanced Thursday to the semifinals of the season-opening Capitala exhibition tournament.

Soderling outlasted Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) and Ferrer rallied to beat sixth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 at the Zayed Sports City.

Soderling will take on top-ranked Roger Federer in the semifinals Friday, while Ferrer faces No. 2 Rafael Nadal. Federer and Nadal both had first-round byes in the six-player invitational tournament, which is not part of the ATP Tour calendar.

BRISBANE, Australia (AP)—After missing the ATP World Tour Finals because of an injured left knee, Andy Roddick is back on the court and preparing for the Brisbane International.

The 27-year-old American said his knee isn’t perfect after his first practice session Thursday at Pat Rafter Arena. Roddick is the No. 1 men’s seed in the tournament, which is a tune-up ahead of the AUstralian Open from Jan. 18-31.

“It’s coming around all right,” he said after an hour-long session with defending champion Radek Stepanek. “It was disappointing to finish the year like I did, especially considering I felt like I was having a really good year until the injury came about.”

Roddick had one of his best years on tour last season, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and losing to Roger Federer 16-14 in an epic fifth set of the Wimbledon final.

“That was disappointing but on the flipside, I’m probably a little bit more mentally rested than a lot of these guys, maybe a little bit more eager to get out here,” Roddick said of sitting out with the injury. “I’ve been playing a lot. I’m definitely not coming in under-practiced.”

The 2003 U.S. Open winner said his 2009 record, including a fourth Australian Open semifinal appearance, gave him extra belief he can claim a second career Grand Slam title – possibly in Melbourne in January.

“Obviously I feel like maybe I could have played a final there before,” he said. “It hasn’t quite happened but there’s not a lot of people walking around that can say … that they’ve played in four semifinals.”

Roddick said he still flashes back to the tough Wimbledon loss against Federer.

“It’s like anything that’s hard in anyone’s life,” Roddick said. “You just keep going and do the things you enjoy and slowly, maybe, I’ll only think about it four times today.”

ATP World Tour No. 2 Rafael Nadal flew to Abu Dhabi from Mallorca on Tuesday afternoon, declaring he is fit and ready for the fast-approaching 2010 season.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

Robin Soderling set a rematch of the Roland Garros final with Roger Federer after edging Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6, 7-6 to reach the semi-finals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

As the 2010 ATP World Tour season prepares to swing into action, World No. 7 Andy Roddick has just one thing on his mind: more Grand Slam success.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

andy_murray: Gonna wish you all a happy new year now cos I’ll be on the plane. Hope 2010 is good for all of you! I’m gonna pack to celebrate..

andy_murray: Hit with miles this morning. Gonna snooze before the flight. Planning on staying awake for 1st leg of journey. Better be some good films.

Last fall’s knee injury continues to linger but Andy Roddick is pronouncing himself ready for the Australian summer.

“I’m definitely not coming in under-practiced, thati‘s for sure,” Roddick told reporters in Brisbane. “I probably played more tennis this December than I have in the last couple of years.”

Describing the state of his knee, Roddick said, “I don’t know if it will be perfect for a while, but it’s close.

“It’s a matter of getting a range of motion back… It’s nothing to do with power or the way it feels when I’m running.”

Roger Federer will not be travelling to Spain to play Switzerland’s first-round Davis Cup tie, report Swiss press. The world No. 1 is said to be reluctant to play on European clay just before the start of U.S. hardcourt events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Switzerland’s No. 2, Stanislas Wawrinka, is also unconfirmed for the tie. His wife is expecitng their first child in February.

Spain, meanwhile,  is expected to field a formidable squad as it kicks off its title defense on the country’s favored red dirt. Four-time French Open Rafael Nadal is scheduled to lead the team, with Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Feliciano Lopez among the other potential members. The tie is scheduled for March 5-7. –Kamakshi Tandon