Andy Roddick decides to step away
The former No. 1 ranked player Andy Roddick decides to step away from his tennis career after the U.S. Open. The US international made this surprise announcement in a news conference on Thursday.
“I’ll make this short and sweet: I’ve decided that this is going to be my last tournament,” Grand Slam singles champion said. “I just feel like it’s time. 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,” he added.
Andy Roddick as Grand Slam Champion
Andy Roddick, born in Omaha (Nebraska), became a Grand Slam singles champion in 2003 when he won the US Open title, beating Carlos Ferrero. Roddick has reached four other Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon in 2004, 2005 and 2009, and the US Open in 2006), but unfortunately every time lost to Roger Federer.
Roddick is set to take on Australian teenage player Bernard Tomic in the second round at Arthur Ashe Stadium Friday night.
”I think I wanted an opportunity to say goodbye to people, as well. I don’t know how tomorrow’s going to go, and I hope it goes well, and I’m sticking around,” Roddick said.
While sharing his memories Roddick said he has lots of sweet and sour memories, adding that he feels like he’d be bamboozling the other memories if he mentions anyone as highlight.
Andy Roddick began his tennis career as a junior player at the age of 17 but got disappointed in the early stages and considered quitting competitive tennis after a losing streak in the juniors. However, Roddick’s coach Tarik Benhabiles played an important role in bringing out his sportsman skills. In 2000, the 30-year-old became the No. 1 junior player of the world.
Andy Roddick has won seven world junior doubles titles, six world junior singles titles and won Australian Open junior singles titles and the US Open.
In 2003, Roddick beat Younes El Aynaoui in the quarterfinals of the 2003 Australian Open, cementing a place in the semi-final of the event.
In the current year, Andy Roddik’s London Olympics campaign came into end when he lost 2-6, 1-6 to World No.2 Novak Djokovic in the second round.
