The professional career of Andy Roddick ended Wednesday, as the American tennis star lost to No. 7-seeded Juan Del Potro, 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4, in a Round of 16 at the 2012 U.S. Open. Roddick, who announced earlier in the tournament that this would be his last, exited Arthur Ashe Stadium to a chorus of cheers from the Flushing Meadows, NY crowd.
"For the first time in my career I don't know what to say," said an emotional Roddick, 30, after the match. "Since I was a kid I've been coming to this tournament and I felt lucky just to sit where all of you are today to watch this game, to see champions that have come and gone. I've loved every minute of it."
After waiting through Tuesday's rain delay, Roddick started strong on Wednesday winning the first set 7-6. However, just when it seemed Roddick was destined to pull off an upset, taking Del Porto to another tiebreaker in the second set, the Argentinan found his rhythm and pulled away for the victory.
Roddick's career ends with one major championship crown, the 2003 U.S. Open, and many fantastic memories at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon -- where he made three finals. Roddick achieved his highest world ranking (No. 1) in Nov. of '03.
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