NEW YORK — Andy Roddick’s tennis career will close at the U.S. Open, the site of his biggest triumph.
The 2003 champion at Flushing Meadows and former No. 1-ranked player decided to walk away from the sport whenever his U.S. Open ends, making the surprise announcement at a news conference on Thursday, his 30th birthday.
“I’ll make this short and sweet: I’ve decided that this is going to be my last tournament," said Roddick, wearing a black T-shirt and baseball cap with his clothing sponsor’s logos.
“I just feel like it’s time. I don’t know that I’m healthy enough or committed enough to go another year," he said. “I’ve always wanted to, in a perfect world, finish at this event."
The 20th-seeded Roddick is scheduled to play 19-year-old Bernard Tomic of Australia in the second round tonight at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“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.
He was, by turns, in reflective and joking moods while speaking to reporters about his decision.
“If I do run into some emotions tomorrow or in four days, I don’t want people to think I’m a little unstable. Or more unstable," Roddick said with a chuckle. “So that’s why I came to this decision."
His title in New York nine years ago was the last time an American man won a Grand Slam singles title,
— The Associated Press