Tennis: Tearful Roddick bows out, Djokovic into last 8
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Andy Roddick of the United States waves to the crowd after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina after their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Andy Roddick of the United States reacts against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 US Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Andy Roddick of the United States reacts during a post match press conference following his men's singles fourth round match against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Andy Roddick of the United States waves to the crowd after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at the Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Andy Roddick of the United States waves to the crowd after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at the Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012, in the Flushing neighbourhood, of the Queens borough of New York City. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Andy Roddick of the US reacts after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina after their men's singles fourth round match on day 10 of the 2012 United States Open at United States Tennis Association (Usta) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012, in New York City. -- PHOTO: AFP
Andy Roddick of the United States waves to the crowd after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina after their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Andy Roddick of the United States reacts against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 US Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Andy Roddick of the United States reacts during a post match press conference following his men's singles fourth round match against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Andy Roddick of the United States waves to the crowd after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at the Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Andy Roddick of the United States waves to the crowd after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles fourth round match on Day Ten of the 2012 United States Open at the Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012, in the Flushing neighbourhood, of the Queens borough of New York City. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Andy Roddick of the US reacts after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina after their men's singles fourth round match on day 10 of the 2012 United States Open at United States Tennis Association (Usta) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept 5, 2012, in New York City. -- PHOTO: AFP
NEW YORK (AFP) - Tearful Andy Roddick said goodbye to the United States (US) Open, New York and his career on Wednesday in an emotional Flushing Meadows fourth-round defeat to Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro.
The 30-year-old, the last American man to win a Grand Slam title when he won the US Open in 2003, had already said this would be the last tournament of a 12-year career which yielded 32 trophies.
It also brought him the world number one spot, as well as three heart-breaking Wimbledon runner-up finishes, before his prospects at a permanent place at the top table were swept away by Roger Federer, Rafaal Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
"I've loved every minute of it - for the first time in my career I'm not sure what to say," said Roddick, who was in tears as was wife Brooklyn in the stands while he addressed the crowd after his 6-7 (7/1), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-4 loss.
