US OPEN 2012
US OPEN DIARY: RODDICK CALLS IT A CAREER
New York, U.S.A.
by ATP Staff | 06.09.2012
Andy Roddick bid farewell to the
Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.
ATPWorldTour.com takes a look at the news and talking points at the US Open on the second Wednesday.
Roddick Calls It A Career
During his 13 years on tour, Andy Roddick had nearly as many notable moments in the press room as he did on the court. His final press conference was no exception as the 30-year-old American received an ovation from the US Open press corps before sharing his thoughts on the final few points of his fourth-round loss to Juan Martin del Potro.
"It was tough," admitted Roddick. "Once he kind of got up there in that match it was a different set of circumstances than my previous matches. Then you start thinking about how real it is and a lot of thoughts go through your head.
"You're thinking about matches you're playing when you're 12 or I was thinking about my mom driving me to practices all over the place. You just think about a million things. Then all of a sudden you have to play a point against one of the best players in the world. It certainly was a mixed bag there at the end."
One of tennis’ strongest personalities, Roddick also joked about the significance of his final press conference and reminisced on his colourful relationship with the journalists throughout his career.
"I made a joke when Austin and Tim came and got me," he said. "I was walking out of the locker room, and I said, 'Man, I think I have more expectation of this press conference than I did the match today.'
"So I think it's at the point now where I look back on rough moments fondly in these rooms. I hope you all do, too. There has certainly been some good ones; there have been some fun I ones. There has been some horrible ones both ways, but it wasn't boring."
Tributes Pour In
Since he announced his retirement a week ago, on his 30th birthday, tributes have poured in for Roddick from throughout the sports and entertainment world. When he finally hung up his racquet on Wednesday afternoon, more of his peers took to Twitter to express their gratitude and memories of Roddick.
View Roddick Tribute Section
@drewbrees (Drew Brees): “Congrats Andy Roddick on a great career RT @SportsCenter: AndyRoddick salutes the crowd after playing the last match of his tennis career.”
@jojomelzer (Jürgen Melzer): “true champion, longtime friend but most importantly one of the greatest people I have ever get to know leaves our sport! thanks @andyroddick”
@ryanharrison92 (Ryan Harrison): “Congratulations Andy. It's been an honor to play with you and learn from you.”
@LilTunechi (Lil Wayne): “I am truly thankful and blessed to have been able to witness the greatness of Andy Roddick.”
@TipsarevicJanko (Janko Tipsarevic): “World number 1,Davis Cup Winner,nine years in a row top 10,32 ATP tittles,Grand Slam Champion… @andyroddick So much #RESPECT..”
@picomonaco (Juan Monaco): “Congratulation @andyroddick for your great career and for the great person you've been during the tour!
@JimmyConnors (Jimmy Connors): “Andy, my friend-- you are a winner. Life goes on. Live it to the fullest”
@mattebden (Matt Ebden): “What a great champion of this great game, here's to you @andyroddick !!!”
@justingimelstob (Justin Gimelstob): “Congrats @andyroddick on an amazing career. You've done the sport proud. Good luck on next stage of your life. See you on the golf course!”
@JackSock (Jack Sock): “Amazing career by @andyroddick. He was my idol growing up playing in the juniors and will sure be missed! #nebraskanatives”
Del Potro Making A Habit Of It
Andy Roddick was not the first player that 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has sent into retirement. The Argentine was also responsible for ending Marat Safin’s career in 2009 when he defeated the two-time major champion in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters.
"Well, Safin was one of my idols, and when you play these kind of matches, it's completely different," said del Potro. "My last time playing in Arthur Ashe was when I beat Federer and, I came today to play once again against Andy Roddick.
"It was of course amazing moment for me also winning in the match. But I think the words are enough for this moment. He has to enjoy the life, and I would like to congratulate him because he made an unbelievable career."
What I’ve Learned
Thirteen years on tour, on Davis Cup triumph, five Grand Slam finals, one major title and 32 tour-level trophies in total. Andy Roddick gave himself completely to tennis and also to his philanthropic work through his Foundation. He has received many words of wisdom in his ear throughout his time in tennis, and when asked in his press conference if he could recall any particular standout advice, it was little surprise to see the values Roddick treasured most.
"I learned a lot of things," said the Texan. "I was lucky because I got to be around all of our best champions. I knew them all well. All my idols became friends and people that I could talk to.
"I remember doing exhibitions with Andre, and he'd teach me things like, you leave a room and it's someone you're going to see again, write some names down. Remember names. That's something you should do. That's a sign of respect.
"He would show me kind of when you're 18 you fumble along and mumble your name, and he wasn't okay with that. So little things like that he helped a lot with."
Berdych Acknowledges Federer Genius
He may have toppled the five-time US Open champion, but Tomas Berdych admitted afterward there were times when he was left dumbfounded by the Roger Federer’s brilliance on a tennis court, acknowledging there was little to do except tip your hat.
"You cannot be anything else," said the Czech. "When you play really great shots, really great rally, and then he comes up with a shot like that, then I just give him my credit for that.
"It was not only this point. I mean, he did many others like this. But that's Roger. With him it's not luck. He really knows how to hit those shots and actually how to read the situation to make the shot happen. I have to laugh. There is nothing else to do."
![:]](./images/smilies/%5Bdblpt%5D%5D.gif ":]"){kind=small}
W drugim meczu chyba jednak Tipsar, bo Ferru robiący dwa półfinały Szlema w roku byłby dla mnie wielką zachętą, żeby dać sobie spokój z tenisem na jakiś czas. 
Na mój gust to jego apetyt na największe triumfy, ze szlemami włącznie nie został jeszcze zaspokojony, i póki co ma wszelkie niezbędne przymioty by z powodzeniem walczyć o najcenniejsze skalpy. I nie mieszałbym tego niegasnącego pragnienia wygrywania, z osobą Rafaela Nadala, bowiem Szwajcar w tym momencie ściga się już właściwie z własną legendą, poza tym sportowa przyszłość Nadala w świetle ostatnich wydarzeń rysuje się raczej w szarych barwach.
Swoją wtopą skutecznie przykrył zakończenie kariery Amerykanina.