Roddick ends career with loss to del Potro
Source: Agencies |
September 7, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE last American man to win a grand slam and to hold the world No. 1 ranking, Andy Roddick ended his tennis career on center court at the US Open on Wednesday that still left some fans wondering what if.
Roddick was the latest link to a long tradition of top flight American players that featured John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
More than an hour after hitting one last shot as a player, then delivering one last, voice-wavering speech to an adoring audience, Andy Roddick exited the locker room one last time.
Accompanied by his wife and other family members, a black baseball cap tugged low over his eyes, Roddick slung a racket bag off his aching right shoulder - the one responsible for so many high-speed aces, violent forehands and the most recent grand slam title by an American man - and tossed the equipment in the back of a waiting van. He won't need that any longer.
Serenaded by choruses of "Let's go, Andy!" that rang through Arthur Ashe Stadium in the closing moments of his career, 2003 US Open champion Roddick headed into retirement with a 6-7 (1), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4 loss to 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the fourth round. It was a bittersweet goodbye, for the fans who gave him a standing ovation at the end - del Potro joined in, rising from his changeover chair to applaud - and for Roddick himself.
He covered his face with a white towel while seated on the sideline after sailing a running forehand long with the final swing of his racket. Earlier, he appeared to be trying to avoid crying while serving in the next-to-last game; in the stands, his wife, model-actress Brooklyn Decker, stuck a finger underneath her dark sunglasses to wipe away her tears.
Pretty hard
"Playing the last five games was pretty hard. Once I got down a break, I could barely look at my (guest) box," Roddick said. "I don't know what the emotions are. I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I normally feel like I can grasp things pretty quickly and clearly. I certainly don't feel that way right now."
During an on-court address to the crowd, Roddick got choked up, particularly when making a reference to his longtime agent, Ken Meyerson, who died last year. When handed a microphone, Roddick began by saying: "Oh, wow. For the first time in my career, I'm not sure what to say."
"Since I was a kid, I've been coming to this tournament. I felt lucky just to sit where all of you are sitting today, to watch this game, to see the champions that have come and gone," Roddick said. "I've loved every minute of it."
Armed with an explosive serve launched by a coiled windup, Roddick became a grand slam singles champion at 21 when he won the 2003 US Open, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. He was world No. 1 by the end of 2003 and expectations rose that he would carry on the US run of supremacy. Roddick's reign, however, was short-lived as Roger Federer had also just broken through, winning his first grand slam title months earlier at Wimbledon.
The Twitter farewell
"@andyroddick I shed a tear for you. Thank you for all the years of commitment to excellence. Going to miss it."
- Tiger Woods
"Andy, my friend-- you are a winner. Life goes on. Live it to the fullest."
- Jimmy Connors
"@andyroddick I miss my friend already."
- Serena Williams
"Thanks @andyroddick for being the face of USA #tennis. Love you. Good luck with your next chapter!"
- Billie Jean King
"That speech from @andyroddick reminded me of the farewell that Agassi gave several years ago. He gave it all at all times."
- Tennis coach Nick Bollettieri
"World number 1, Davis Cup Winner, nine years in a row top 10, 32 ATP titles, Grand Slam Champion. @andyroddick So much #RESPECT."
- Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic
"American tennis is losing one of its greatest champions and faces of the sport today. Best of luck to @andyroddick in the next chapter!"
- Lisa Raymond
"In tears listening to @andyroddick right now...what an unbelieble careear and personality"
- Argentina's Gisela Dulko
Roddick was the latest link to a long tradition of top flight American players that featured John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
More than an hour after hitting one last shot as a player, then delivering one last, voice-wavering speech to an adoring audience, Andy Roddick exited the locker room one last time.
Accompanied by his wife and other family members, a black baseball cap tugged low over his eyes, Roddick slung a racket bag off his aching right shoulder - the one responsible for so many high-speed aces, violent forehands and the most recent grand slam title by an American man - and tossed the equipment in the back of a waiting van. He won't need that any longer.
Serenaded by choruses of "Let's go, Andy!" that rang through Arthur Ashe Stadium in the closing moments of his career, 2003 US Open champion Roddick headed into retirement with a 6-7 (1), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4 loss to 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the fourth round. It was a bittersweet goodbye, for the fans who gave him a standing ovation at the end - del Potro joined in, rising from his changeover chair to applaud - and for Roddick himself.
He covered his face with a white towel while seated on the sideline after sailing a running forehand long with the final swing of his racket. Earlier, he appeared to be trying to avoid crying while serving in the next-to-last game; in the stands, his wife, model-actress Brooklyn Decker, stuck a finger underneath her dark sunglasses to wipe away her tears.
Pretty hard
"Playing the last five games was pretty hard. Once I got down a break, I could barely look at my (guest) box," Roddick said. "I don't know what the emotions are. I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I normally feel like I can grasp things pretty quickly and clearly. I certainly don't feel that way right now."
During an on-court address to the crowd, Roddick got choked up, particularly when making a reference to his longtime agent, Ken Meyerson, who died last year. When handed a microphone, Roddick began by saying: "Oh, wow. For the first time in my career, I'm not sure what to say."
"Since I was a kid, I've been coming to this tournament. I felt lucky just to sit where all of you are sitting today, to watch this game, to see the champions that have come and gone," Roddick said. "I've loved every minute of it."
Armed with an explosive serve launched by a coiled windup, Roddick became a grand slam singles champion at 21 when he won the 2003 US Open, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. He was world No. 1 by the end of 2003 and expectations rose that he would carry on the US run of supremacy. Roddick's reign, however, was short-lived as Roger Federer had also just broken through, winning his first grand slam title months earlier at Wimbledon.
The Twitter farewell
"@andyroddick I shed a tear for you. Thank you for all the years of commitment to excellence. Going to miss it."
- Tiger Woods
"Andy, my friend-- you are a winner. Life goes on. Live it to the fullest."
- Jimmy Connors
"@andyroddick I miss my friend already."
- Serena Williams
"Thanks @andyroddick for being the face of USA #tennis. Love you. Good luck with your next chapter!"
- Billie Jean King
"That speech from @andyroddick reminded me of the farewell that Agassi gave several years ago. He gave it all at all times."
- Tennis coach Nick Bollettieri
"World number 1, Davis Cup Winner, nine years in a row top 10, 32 ATP titles, Grand Slam Champion. @andyroddick So much #RESPECT."
- Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic
"American tennis is losing one of its greatest champions and faces of the sport today. Best of luck to @andyroddick in the next chapter!"
- Lisa Raymond
"In tears listening to @andyroddick right now...what an unbelieble careear and personality"
- Argentina's Gisela Dulko
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