Former US Open champion and world number one Andy Roddick has surprisingly announced his retirement from tennis amid the 2012 US Open.
The American called a press conference on Thursday on the day of his birthday, before shocking all the attendees by declaring the US Open would be his last event, with a second round clash with Australian Bernard Tomic coming up.
“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.”
Roddick, who won the 2003 US Open, added: “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. So that’s why I came to this decision (to announce it before the tournaments ends).”
Meanwhile, on day four at Flushing Meadows, fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was a shock second round exit to Slovakian world number 52 Martin Klizan in four sets, 6–4, 1–6, 6–1, 6–3.
World number one Roger Federer eased into the third round on day four, comfortably taking care of German Bjorn Phau 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.
In the women’s there were no major seeds eliminated, with title favourite Serena Williams having no problems getting past Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-2, 6-4.
Second seed and Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Radwańska came from a set down to move into the third round with a 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 win over Carla Suarez Navarro.