NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Hard-serving Andy Roddick, the last American male to win a grand slam tournament, will retire after the U.S. Open, the former world number one said yesterday. Roddick, who turned 30 yesterday, made the announcement at a news conference ahead of his match against Australian Bernard Tomic inside Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight.
“I just feel like it’s time,” he said. “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.”
Roddick, who beat fellow American Rhyne Williams 6-3 6-4 6-4 in the opening round, is seeded 20th at the U.S. Open, the last of the year’s four grand slam tournaments.
He said his decision to call it quits after 13 years as a professional, “has been a process, certainly not days.”
“Certain parts of the year I’ve thought about it,” he said. “Just with the way my body feels. With the way that 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 other interests and a lot of other things that excite me.”
