Andy Roddick Announces Retirement, US Open Will Be His Final Event
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On his 30th birthday, Andy Roddick announced Thursday that the 2012 US Open will be his final event. The Austin native has been the anchor of American tennis since turning pro in 2000.
“I’ll make this short and sweet,” Roddick said Thursday in New York. “I’ve decided that this is going to be my last tournament.
“I just feel like it’s time,” he added. “I don’t know that I’m healthy enough or committed enough to go another year. I’ve always wanted to, in a perfect world, finish at this event. I have a lot of family and friends here. I’ve thought all year that I would know when I got to this tournament. When I was playing my first round, I knew.”
Unless he adds to his haul in New York, Roddick will finish with 32 career titles including the 2003 US Open. He finished runner-up at four Slams losing most recently at the 2009 Wimbledon final to Roger Federer 16-14.
“It’s been a process,” he said. “Certain parts throughout the year, I’ve thought about it, just with the way my body feels, with the way that I’m able to feel like I’m able to compete now, I don’t know that it’s good enough. I don’t know that I’ve ever been someone who’s interested in existing on tour. I have a lot of interests and a lot of other things that excite me. I’m looking forward to those.”
Armed with one of the most lethal serve-forehand combinations in the history of the game, Roddick rose to the No. 1 ranking in 2003 on the back of his lone Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Roddick was a stalwart in the Top 10 and a devoted to Davis Cup, leading the U.S. to the 2007 title.
Roddick has won 610 matches becoming the 19th player in the Open Era to reach the 600 match wins plateau this past June en route to the grass-court title in Eastbourne. The following month, he won the hard-court title in Atlanta.
The future Hall of Famer won his first round match Tuesday over fellow American Rhyne Williams. He’ll play his second round tomorrow night in what could be his final match against Australian Bernard Tomic at 7pm.
Kim Clijsters retired from singles yesterday following her loss to Laura Robson.
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