Roddick to retire after U.S. Open
Andy Roddick celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday by calling it quits, his fame and serving power eclipsing a flimsy Grand Slam resumé.
Roddick staged a goodbye press conference to announce he’s retiring after the U.S. Open, saying he has too much mileage on his body.
His second-round matchup tonight vs. Croatian Bernard Tomic at Arthur Ashe Stadium could be Roddick’s last — and might be his loudest. Roddick, out of Nebraska and Boca Raton, has been beloved at Ashe Stadium and his night matches have always been a festival.
“It’s the most electric atmosphere in our sport,’’ Roddick said yesterday of Open night matches. So party on tonight. “I feel like it’s time,’’ said Roddick, a long shot to win entering the Open as the 20th seed. “I didn’t know that I’m healthy enough or committed enough to go another year. I’ve always wanted to, in a perfect world, finish [my career] at this event. I’ve thought all year that I would know when I got to this tournament. When I was playing my first round, I knew.’’
“A number is a number, but I think wear and tear and miles is something that’s not really an age thing.”
His wife, model/actress Brooklyn Decker, sat in the back of the room during the press conference and looked misty-eyed when she left.
Roddick indicated he had tears earlier in the day but got through the press conference without choking up. Tonight could be a whole different story if he loses.
“The way my body feels, the way I’m able to feel like I’m able to compete now, I don’t know that’s good enough,’’ Roddick said. “I don’t know I’ve ever been someone interested in exist- ing on tour. I don’t want to disrespect the game by coasting home.’’
If Roddick is unable to win here, he will retire with one Grand Slam title — the 2003 U.S. Open. The world was his oyster then but Roger Federer proceded to win the next five Open titles. Roddick’s resume may or may not fall short of a Hall of Fame berth but he was the face of American men’s tennis for 10 years.
Roddick has been unable to crack the club of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Roddick has not gotten further than the U.S. Open quarterfinals since 2006.
A three-time Wimbledon finalist, Roddick lost to Federer each time, including the classic 16-14 fifth set in 2009. He also lost to Federer in the 2006 U.S. Open Finals.
“I don’t think I’d change much, obviously. I think everybody would want to win a match or two more,’’ Roddick said. “Had I won a match or two more, we’d be looking back at something a bit different.’’
Roddick said he chose to reveal his decision before he lost so he could properly say goodbye to his colleagues.
“I don’t know how [tonight] is going to go,’’ Roddick said. “I just imagined being off the court in an empty locker room. And I do run into some emotions, I didn’t want people to think I’m unstable.’’
Speculation this could be Roddick’s swan song arose after Wimbledon when he said he didn’t have a “definitive’’ answer on next year. At the London Olympics, he refused to talk about his future. Thefinal hint came when he didn’t attend Saturday’s U.S. Open media day for the first time.
A mediocre backhand and mobility issues prevented him from greatness despite a mammoth serve and missile forehand. But his career was never dull, and tonight it might be over.