US Open: Andy Roddick takes his final bow

The curtain came down on Andy Roddick’s career when the American was beaten by Juan Martin Del Potro in the fourth round at the US Open last night.

The 30-year-old announced last week that he would retire after the year’s final grand slam and the end came quickly for the American when he lost 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 to del Potro. With his wife and parents watching from the stands, Roddick struggled to keep his emotions in check as the realisation that his career was over began to sink in.

“For the first time in my career I’m not sure what to say,” Roddick told the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd when handed the on-court microphone. “Since I was a kid, I’ve been coming to this tournament and I felt lucky just to sit where all of you are and watch this game and see the champions that have come and gone. And I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Roddick had begun well, winning the rain-delayed first set in a tiebreak, but, despite being roared on by a patriotic crowd, could not keep up with the towering Argentine Del Potro, who won the US Open in 2009. Del Potro advanced to a quarter-final today against Serbia’s defending champion Novak Djokovic, but the plaudits still went to Roddick.

He has been the torchbearer for American tennis since Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi retired. He won the US Open, his only grand slam title, in 2003 and briefly topped the world rankings. He also reached three Wimbledon finals, losing to Roger Federer each time.