World number one Andy Roddick says he is going into the new season full of confidence after "a dream year" in 2003.
The 21-year-old American moved to the top of the world rankings after starting the year ranked at 10, winning six titles along the way including his first Grand Slam at the U.S. Open.
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"I have gained a lot of confidence following my good show last year. It was a dream year for me," Roddick told reporters at the start of the Qatar Open on Monday.
Roddick launches his season against Russia's Nikolay Davydenko in the first round in Qatar, where he is preparing for the Australian Open beginning on January 19.
Last year, Roddick lost in the semi-finals of the year's opening Grand Slam to Germany's Rainer Schuettler, following a gruelling quarter-final victory over Morocco's Younes El Aynaoui that lasted just under five hours.
"I am going to Australia fully confident," Roddick said.
"I thought playing in Doha would help me prepare well for Australia. The Doha tournament has a good field."
TOP SEED
Schuettler, Australia's Mark Philippoussis, El Aynaoui and defending champion Stefan Koubek are among those also taking part in the $1 million event, where Roddick is the top seed.
Roddick appointed Brad Gilbert, Andre Agassi's former mentor, as his coach in June after being knocked out in the first round of the French Open and the change had an immediate impact.
But the U.S. Open champion denied he was trying to emulate Agassi after Gilbert helped turn the 33-year-old from a tearaway wild child into of the world's greatest players.
"I see no similarities in our careers. Andre [Agassi] is a great player," said Roddick.
"Perhaps 12 years ago Andre might have been where I am today. That's all, there end the similarities. I have a long time to go before I reach his level," he added.
Roddick said he did not feel threatened by any particular player this year but felt Switzerland's Roger Federer, the Wimbledon champion who finished the year number two in the rankings, was the most talented.
"There are a lot of good players in the circuit, but Roger [Federer] probably could be the most talented," he said.
