Andy Roddick has announced that he will retire from professional tennis after this year's ongoing US Open.
One-time major winner to hang up racket after home Slam
Andy Roddick has announced that he will retire from professional tennis after this year's ongoing US Open.
The 2003 champion chose his 30th birthday to make the announcement, meaning his second-round clash with Australia's Bernard Tomic on Friday could be his last match.
Roddick has reached five Grand Slam finals during his career, his only success coming in the US Open final nine years ago against Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The Texas-born player reached the Wimbledon final three times, but on each occasion lost to Roger Federer, the same opponent in which he was defeated in the 2006 US Open final.
Roddick conceded that he always wanted to bow out on home soil, stating he would know what to do after playing his first-round match at Flushing Meadows.
Roddick said: "I just feel like it's time. I don't know if I'm healthy enough or committed enough to go another year.
"I've always wanted to finish at this event. I've thought all year that I would know when I got to this tournament and, when I played my first round, I knew.
"I've always, whatever my faults have been, felt like I've never done anything halfway. It's probably the first time in my career that I can sit here and say I'm not sure that I can put everything into it physically and emotionally.
Interests
"I don't know that I want to disrespect the game by coasting home. I had plans to play a smaller schedule next year but the more I thought about it, I think you've either got to be all in or not.
"I have a lot of interests and a lot of other things that excite me. I'm looking forward to those."
Roddick was the last American man to win a grand slam singles title when he beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in New York nine years ago, becoming world No.1 for the first time later that same year.
But it turned out to be the beginning not of the Andy Roddick era but of the Roger Federer era as the Swiss, and then the emerging Rafael Nadal, dominated the grand slams.
Roddick reached three other finals, all at Wimbledon, in 2004, 2005 and 2009, but each time Federer denied him the title.
The closest he came to winning was three years ago, when he should have taken a two-set lead and eventually lost out 16-14 in the fifth set.
Roddick has struggled to maintain his presence at the top of the game over the last three years with injuries taking their toll, but he bows out with 36 titles to his name and career prize money of more than $20million (£14m).
Federer hailed his long-time rival, saying: "I'm so happy for him. He's had an amazing career.
"Some expected better, some expected worse. But I'm sure he's happy with what he achieved because he almost achieved everything he ever wanted.
"Maybe to lose the Wimbledon title potentially, but let's forget about that. He was in those Wimbledon finals. He could have got that title.
Lucky
"That's what I said when I beat him in 2009. He deserves this title as well. In my mind he is a Wimbledon champion, a wonderful ambassador for the game.
"I'm thankful for everything he's done for the game, especially here for tennis in America. It's not been easy after (Andre) Agassi and (Pete) Sampras, (Jim) Courier, (Michael) Chang, (Jimmy) Connors, (John) McEnroe, you name it."
When the end does come, Roddick is planning to devote more time to his foundation and perhaps the radio show he hosts, but he will not be hanging up his racquet entirely.
He said: "I'm lucky enough, there are a lot of players where I live. I don't think I'm one of the guys who won't pick up a racquet for three years.
"I still love the innocent parts of the game. I love hitting tennis balls. I love seeing the young guys do well.
"I'll still have a lot of friends to watch. I'll miss the relationships probably the most. As time passes, I'll probably miss the tennis more.
"For the moments where it's been hard, I've had 25 positive things that have come from it. Again, anything that people may view as tough, I've been very lucky and very fortunate.
"I've gotten a lot of opportunities. I wouldn't trade away a day of it. I've loved every minute."
