Andy Roddick

The tennis world learned to love Andy Roddick, the professional player, who was blessed with flair, intelligence and star power over the course of 13 seasons.

By giving himself wholly to the sport, he finished in the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings for nine straight years (2002-2010). His charisma and gravitas, character and engaging personality enabled him to absorb the highs and lows of life as one of the most successful, influential and quotable players in professional tennis.

For more than a decade, ever since he won the 2000 Australian Open and US Open junior titles, he played with pressure and expectation. As the poster boy of American tennis, the implications of Andre Agassi’s retirement after the 2006 US Open were not lost on Roddick, who, as a keen tennis historian, was already the most-talked-about singles player from the United States, a nation fuelled on the exploits of great tennis champions since the 1920s

Roddick’s love for the sport developed after he celebrated his eighth birthday with a first visit to the US Open in 1990, when he weaved his way into the players’ lounge, without a credential, to beat that year’s champion Pete Sampras at a video game. Aged 21, Roddick finished with three straight aces against Juan Carlos Ferrero to clinch his only Grand Slam championship title at the 2003 US Open on the same court, where, 12 months earlier, Sampras had lifted his 14th major trophy before retiring. The baton of American tennis had been passed.

The triumph, in one of his five major final appearances, paved the way to him becoming World No. 1 on 3 November 2003. His tenure as World No. 1 was short-lived – 13 weeks in total - as Roger Federer began to emerge as one of the greatest players in tennis history.

The foundations of Roddick’s game lay in his devastating serve – one was timed at 155 mph in a 2004 Davis Cup tie – and his fluent forehand. As a great thinker and problem-solver, he went onto develop his backhand and net game under the guidance of three expert coaches, Brad Gilbert, Jimmy Connors and Larry Stefanki.

Roddick won 32 tour-level singles titles, including five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns, and four times finished runner-up to Federer in Grand Slam finals: Wimbledon (2004-'05 and '09) and US Open ('06). Arguably, his most devastating loss came three years ago when he lost 16-14 in the fifth set at the All England Club and left Centre Court with the gallery chanting his name. As a patriotic American he led the nation to its 32nd Davis Cup victory over Russia in 2007. His 33 singles rubber wins in the competition for the United States is second only to John McEnroe's 41.

Roddick maintained his place in the world’s Top 10 until 25 July 2011, when long-standing injuries – knees, ankles, shoulder and back – and more than 800 matches started to take their toll on his body after years of keeping pace with Federer, Rafael Nadal and, latterly, Novak Djokovic’s brand of power tennis and athleticism.

On the court, he always battled to the final ball. But while his passion for the sport is just as intense, Roddick decided to announce his retirement on his own terms, on 30 August, the occasion of his 30th birthday, in favour of a new life chapter with his wife, Brooklyn Decker.

He is expected to play more of a hands-on roll with the Andy Roddick Foundation, established in 2001, which has raised more than $10 million for charities to provide children in need with quality education and economic opportunities. Countless random acts of kindness have never made it to the public domain.

Bright and astute, Roddick already hosts a nationally syndicated weekly sports radio show, while his television appearances – including as guest host of NBC’s Saturday Night Live in November 2003 – and shrewd financial investments mean that he’ll do fine out of the tennis world, which will mourn his absence.

Bio: James Buddell 

Full name is Andrew Stephen Roddick...Nicknamed "A-Rod"...Hosted the comedy program Saturday Night Live on November 8, 2003, becoming second tennis player (Chris Evert) and only 12th athlete (at the time) in three decades to do so...

Father, Jerry, is an investor, and mother, Blanche, is director of the Andy Roddick Foundation, which has raised over $10 million for nearly 10 charities since 2001...His foundation is supported by Elton John, Lionel Richie, Cindy Crawford and Donna Summer among other celebrities...The new Andy Roddick Youth tennis program in San Antonio, Texas assists 150 disadvantaged children participating plus providing four elementary scholarships to private schools in addition to three university scholarships...Won 2004 ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award...

Brother John was All-American tennis player at University of Georgia (1996-98), and now operates a tennis academy in San Antonio...Oldest brother Lawrence, a chiropractor in San Antonio, was an accomplished spring board diver and a member of U.S. Senior National Team...A University of Nebraska football fan...Moved to Austin, Texas at age 4 1/2, then moved to Boca Raton at age 10...Returned to Austin in November 2003... Played varsity basketball in high school alongside Davis Cup teammate Mardy Fish, who trained and lived with Roddick in 1999...Hobbies include listening to music (favorites include Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer) and watching movies (favorite is Shawshank Redemption)...

Selected in People Magazine's 2006 "Sexiest Man Alive" issue...In May 2006, named on President George W. Bush’s President’s Council of Sports and Fitness... Featured on cover of "Men's Fitness" in summer of 2007...Married swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker (Apr. 17, 2009) in Austin, TX...Travels with former ATP trainer Doug Spreen...Coached by Larry Stefanki (since December 2008).

Roddick DEUCE Feature (Nov. 2007)
Roddick DEUCE Feature (Aug. 2009)
Roddick DEUCE Feature (Nov. 2009)
Roddick DEUCE Feature (Dec. 2010)
Roddick DEUCE Feature (June 2011)
Roddick Special Retirement Tribute (Sept. 2012)

2012 -- The American lifted two ATP World Tour titles at Eastbourne and Atlanta...Won Eastbourne title in June, beating No. 26 Seppi 63 62 in the final…It maintained his record of capturing ATP World Tour titles for 12 straight seasons…He achieved his 600th tour-level match win in the Eastbourne SFs…Went onto claim 32nd title at Atlanta (d. Isner in SFs, d. G. Muller 16 76(2) 62 in final)...

Also reached ATP World Tour QFs at San Jose (l. to Istomin) and Delray Beach (l. to Anderson)…At ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami, he beat No. 3 Federer 76(4) 16 64 in 3RD…Lost to No. 21 Monaco in 4th RD…In Grand Slam play, made an Australian Open 2nd RD exit, losing to No. 181 Hewitt 36 63 64 retired (with a hamstring injury)…the Roland Garros 1st RD, losing to No. 89 Mahut 63 63 46 62…the Wimbledon 3rd RD, losing to No. 5 Ferrer 26 76(8) 64 63…

Roddick retired from professional tennis after US Open 4th RD exit (l. to del Potro) on 5 September...

2011 -- The No. 2 American (behind No. 8 Fish) captured his 30th career title on ATP World Tour in Memphis to increase his title streak to 11 consecutive years (Federer is only other active player to accomplish same feat)…His run of 9 straight Top 10 finishes came to an end with No. 14 year-end ranking...

The Austin resident reached QF or better 8 times during year, including QF at US Open (d. No. 5 Ferrer, l. to Nadal), his best Slam result of year…Closed season with QF in Shanghai (l. to Ferrer) and Basel (l. to Federer) then 3R in Paris (l. to Murray)...Also reached SF at Queen’s Club in London (l. to Murray) in June and Winston-Salem (l. to Isner) prior to US Open…That week ranked No. 21 for 1st time outside Top 20 since August 2001...In August in Cincinnati, lost in 1R to Kohlschreiber and prior to that, played July 8 in Davis Cup QF vs. Spain in Austin and lost to No. 6 Ferrer in second rubber in straight sets…Was sidelined with an abdominal injury and withdrew from tournaments in Washington and Montréal...

After opening round loss in Miami, as defending champ, fell from No. 8 to No. 14 on Apr. 5...In March, won 2 1R Davis Cup matches in Chile (d. Massu, Capdeville, both in 4 sets) and advanced to 4R at Indian Wells (l. to Gasquet)... Opened season by reaching final in Brisbane (l. to Soderling) and followed with a 4R at Australian Open (l. to Wawrinka)...Went 1-7 vs. Top 10 opponents and compiled marks of 27-12 on hard, 5-2 on grass and 2-2 on clay...

2010 -- Top American finished in Top 10 for a ninth straight year, joining Federer as only active players to accomplish the feat…He and Federer are also only active players to win at least one title for 10 straight years…Opened season in Brisbane, capturing his first title Down Under (d. Stepanek)…Followed at Australian Open with QF, falling to Cilic in five sets…In February, reached final in San Jose (l. to Verdasco in three sets)….In March, put together solid results at first two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments with runner-up in Indian Wells* (d. Soderling in SF, l. to Ljubicic in two tie-breaks)…Then in Miami*, defeated Nadal in SF and Berdych in final to win tournament for second time (‘04)…Dropped serve just twice in six matches, holding 61 of 63 service games…It was his first ATP Masters 1000 title since Cincinnati* in ‘06 and fifth overall…Jumped off to a Tour-best 26-4 start through April 4…Did not play on clay until Roland Garros where he lost in 3rd RD to No. 114 Gabashvili…

On grass, lost in 3rd RD to Sela at Queen’s and followed with 4th RD exit at Wimbledon to Lu 9-7 in fifth set…In July took a wild card into Atlanta and reached SFs (l. to Fish) and followed with 3rd RD in Washington (l. to Simon)… Missed Toronto* after he found out he was struggling with a mild case of mononucleosis…Returned in Cincinnati* and posted wins over No. 5 Soderling and No. 3 Djokovic en route to SFs (l. to Fish)…Fell out of Top 10 on Aug. 9 (at No. 11) and slipped to No. 13 following week before returning on Aug. 23 at No. 9 after Cincinnati…Overall was out of Top 10 for four weeks…

At US Open, suffered a 2nd RD loss to Tipsarevic in four sets, his earliest exit since a 1st RD in ‘05…Returned to action in October and reached QFs in Tokyo followed with 2nd RD retirement (right groin) in Shanghai* (vs. Garcia-Lopez)…Returned for final two weeks and reached SF in Basel and QF in Paris*…Did not play Davis Cup for U.S. during year for first time since ‘01 debut…Went 0-3 in Barclays ATP World Tour Finals…Compiled marks of 42-15 on hard, 4-2 on grass and 2-1 on clay…No. 1 in service games won (91%) and No. 2 in aces (815)…Went 4-5 vs. Top 10 opponents.

2009 -- The top American finished in Top 10 for an eighth consecutive year, joining Federer as only active players to do so…He and Federer are also only active players to win at least one ATP World Tour title for nine straight years…Opened season by reaching final in Doha (l. to Murray) and advanced to fourth SF at Australian Open (d. No. 3 Djokovic, l. to Federer)…Reached SF in San Jose (l. to Stepanek) and won 27th career title in Memphis (d. Stepanek)…Led the U.S. to a 4-1 first round Davis Cup victory over Switzerland with wins over Chiudinelli and Wawrinka…Became second-winningest player in U.S. Davis Cup history with 31 match wins (trailing only John McEnroe-41)…

Advanced to SF in Indian Wells* (l. to Nadal) and followed with QF in Miami* (l. to Federer)…In
Madrid* lost to eventual winner Federer in QF…Personal-best fourth round at Roland Garros (l. to Monfils)…Reached SF at Queen’s where he retired at 4-4 in first set against Blake due to right ankle injury…Reached his third final at Wimbledon, beating Hewitt in five sets in QF and Murray in four sets in SF…In final against Federer, did not drop serve until final game of match - holding 37 straight service games - with the Swiss winning 16-14 in fifth set in longest decisive set in Grand Slam final history…Sidelined for five weeks following Wimbledon with hip injury…

Returned in Washington and reached final (l. to del Potro)…Following week lost to del Potro
in SF at Montreal*…At US Open faced 3rd Rd. loss to Isner in fifth set tie-break, third time in 10 appearances he lost before QF…Retired with left knee injury in opening round in Shanghai*…Qualified for season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London but withdrew due to injury…Compiled marks of 35-11 on hard, 9-2 on grass and 4-2 on clay along with 33-12 tie-break record…Led Ricoh ATP MatchFacts in first serve percentage (70%) and was No. 2 in aces (762) and No. 3 in 2nd serve points won (57%) and service games won (91%).

2008 –The top American finished in Top 10 for a seventh consecutive season...Captured three ATP titles in four finals while posting wins over Top 3 players for first time in a season... He and Federer have won at least one ATP title for eight straight years (longest active streak)...Only lost twice in an opening round match and reached QF or better in 13 of 19 tournaments...Opened with 3rd RD at Australian Open, firing a career-high 42 aces in his fivesets loss (8-6 in fifth) to Kohlschreiber...Won third San Jose title (d. Stepanek) and two weeks later captured 25th career crown in Dubai, defeating No. 2 Nadal and No. 3 Djokovic in QF and SF before beating Lopez in final...Held serve all 55 games during week...

Reached SF in Miami where he broke an 11-match losing streak to No. 1 Federer in QF (l. to eventual champ Davydenko)...Played in only clay tournament in Rome where he retired in SF vs. Wawrinka after three games due to a right shoulder injury...Withdrew from Roland Garros, ending a streak of 28 consecutive Grand Slams played... Advanced to SF at Queen’s (l. to Nadal) and made his earliest exit at Wimbledon, losing to Tipsarevic in 2nd RD...After August, went 16-6, reaching final in Los Angeles (l. to del Potro), QF in Washington (l. to Troicki) and US Open (l. to Djokovic) before losing both Davis Cup SF matches in Madrid to No. 5 Ferrer and No. 1 Nadal...In Asian swing, won title in Beijing (d. Sela) and reached SF in Tokyo (l. to Berdych)...

In final three weeks, had 3rd RD at AMS Madrid (l. to Monfils) and QF in Lyon (l. to Soderling) and AMS Paris (d. No. 10 Simon, l. to Tsonga)...Qualified for sixth straight Tennis Masters Cup, but withdrew after one match due to a right ankle injury suffered in practice...Led Ricoh ATP MatchFacts in service games won (91%) and break points saved (69%); No. 2 in aces (886) and first serve points won (79%)...Compiled records of 40-11 on hard and 4-3 on clay...Was 26-19 in tie-breaks, 10-2 against left-handers and 4-6 against Top 10 opponents.

2007-- Finished in Top 10 for sixth straight season, won an ATP title for seventh consecutive year and led U.S. to its first Davis Cup title since 1995...Went 6-0 in Cup play as U.S. defeated Russia 4-1 in final...Became first American to go undefeated and lead his country to Cup title since Pete Sampras (6-0) in '95...Qualified for Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai and reached SF (l. to Ferrer)...In June, captured crown on grass at Queen’s in London (d. Mahut, saved one match point) for fourth time in five years...Followed by reaching QF at Wimbledon (l. to Gasquet in five sets)...Compiled a 15-4 record during summer hard court circuit with SF in Indianapolis (l. to Dancevic), title in Washington (d. Isner), QF at AMS Montreal (l. to Djokovic), 3rd RD at AMS Cincinnati (l. to Ferrer) and QF at US Open (l. to Federer)...

In first three months, compiled a 21-5 record, reaching QF or better in all five tournaments...Advanced to SF at Australian Open for third time (l. to Federer) and in San Jose (l. to eventual champion Murray) and runner-up in Memphis (l. to Haas)...In March, reached SF at AMS Indian Wells with wins over Gasquet and Ljubicic (l. to Nadal) and followed with QF at AMS Miami where he retired (vs. Murray) with a strained left hamstring...Returned in Davis Cup QF tie and defeated Spain’s Verdasco in straight sets...On clay, won 1st RD Cup tie in Czech Republic, defeating Minar and Berdych in four sets, and reached 3rd RD at AMS Rome (l. to Chela), QF at Portschach (l. to Monfils) and 1st RD at Roland Garros (l. to Andreev)...

Led ATP circuit with personal-best 35-12 record in tie-breaks, including an Open Era record 18 straight won from February (Memphis) through early July (Wimbledon) when Gasquet won both tie-breaks in QF...Ranked among Top 10 in five of six Ricoh ATP MatchFacts serving categories, No. 2 in first serve points won (80%), service games won (91%) and second serve points won (57%), No. 3 in aces (749) and No. 10 in break points saved (65%)...Went 5-7 vs. Top 10 opponents and compiled marks of 38-11 on hard, 9-1 on grass, 5-3 on clay and 2-1 on carpet.

2006 – The No. 2 American won at AMS Cincinnati (d. Ferrero) and reached fourth career Grand Slam final at US Open (l. to Federer)...Compiled 18-2 record during summer circuit after teaming up with former No. 1 Jimmy Connors, including runner-up in Indianapolis (l. to Blake in third set tie-break)...Dropped out of Top 10 on July 10 for first time since Oct. 28, 2002, for four weeks before returning after Cincinnati title...At Tennis Masters Cup, was 1-2 in round-robin action, though held 3 M.P. in second set tie-break vs. Federer...In Davis Cup SF in Moscow, dropped opening rubber to Safin and lost a 17-15 five-setter (4 hrs., 48 min.) vs. Tursunov, which clinched Russia’s victory...Ranked among Top 10 in all six Ricoh ATP MatchFacts serving categories...

2005 – Won titles in San Jose, Houston, Queen’s, Washington (d. Blake) and 20th of his career in Lyon...Runner-up at Wimbledon and AMS Cincinnati (l. to Federer)...In Davis Cup, led U.S. back into ‘06 World Group by posting wins over Belgium’s Rochus brothers, including five setter against Olivier (4 hrs., 32 mins.)...It was longest U.S. Cup match since tie-breaks were introduced in ‘89...During an eight-match stretch going back to fifth set of Davis Cup win vs. O. Rochus on Sept. 25, held a personal-best 98 consecutive service games before getting broken in first game of QF vs. Ferrer in Paris...Injured his back in that match and lost in SF...Qualified for Tennis Masters Cup and withdrew due to his back injury...

2004 – Won four titles and led U.S. to first Davis Cup final since ‘97 by going 6-2 in singles...Also reached four other finals, including his first title match at Wimbledon (l. to Federer)...Played most singles matches (92) and co-leader (w/Federer) on ATP circuit with a career-high 74 match wins...Recorded world’s fastest serve at 155 mph in Davis Cup SF (vs. Voltchkov) on Sept. 24...Won titles in San Jose and AMS Miami, and defended Queen’s and Indianapolis...Runner-up at AMS Toronto (l. to Federer )...Led ATP circuit in aces (1,017)...

2003 – Youngest American (21 yrs., 3 mos.) and second overall (behind Hewitt, 20 yrs., 8 mos. in 2001) to finish No. 1 in history of ATP Rankings (since 1973)...Made biggest jump in history to No. 1 from previous year, improving from No. 10... Sixth American to finish No. 1 (Sampras-6 times, Connors-5, McEnroe-4, Courier-1, Agassi-1)...Won six titles on three different surfaces in eight finals...Won an ATP-best five matches after saving match point (went on to win title three times)...

Compiled a 25-11 record with one title through May, then 47-8 with five titles under Brad Gilbert, including a 27-1 mark during summer hard court circuit...Had 19-match winning streak which included AMS titles in Montreal (d. Federer in SF, Nalbandian in F) and Cincinnati (d. Fish-saved 2 M.P.)...At US Open, rallied from two-set deficit (and one M.P.) in SF vs. Nalbandian before beating Ferrero in final...Also titled in St. Poelten, Queen’s, Indianapolis...Finalist in Memphis and Houston...Won Grand Slam record 21-19 in fifth set in Australian Open QF over El Aynaoui...Earned a career-high $3,227,342...

2002 – Youngest American to finish in year-end Top 10 since Chang in ‘92...Won Memphis and Houston titles...Finalist in Delray Beach...Compiled 4-0 record in Davis Cup play...Won Houston doubles title (w/Fish), becoming lone double winner on ATP circuit during season...Reached first AMS final in Toronto (l. to Ca±as)...Duplicated QF run at US Open (l. to eventual winner Sampras)...

2001 – Youngest player in ATP Top 20...First American teen to win at least three titles in same season since Sampras won four in ‘90...Made Davis Cup debut in 1st RD in Switzerland... Went undefeated (3-0) during year in helping U.S. back to World Group...At AMS Miami, run to QF included wins over former No. 1s Rios and Sampras (l. to Hewitt)...

Made clay debut in Atlanta and dropped one set en route to first title (d. Malisse)...First American teen to win an ATP title since Chang (Feb. 1992)...Also won Houston title without dropping a set (d. Lee)...First American to capture back-to-back clay titles since Courier in ‘92...Reached 3rd RD in Roland Garros debut...In 2nd RD, overcame cramps to beat Chang 7-5 in final set with a tournament record 37 aces...In 3rd RD vs. Hewitt, retired at 2-2 in 3rd set with a strained left hamstring...Won first hard court title in Washington (d. Schalken)...Reached US Open QF (l. to eventual titlist Hewitt)...Won first ATP doubles title in Delray Beach (w/Gambill)...

2000 – Youngest player (18 yrs., 3 mos.) in year-end Top 200...As No. 1 junior, won Australian Open (d. Ancic) and US Open (d. Ginepri) without dropping a set...First American to win Australian juniors since Butch Buchholz in 1959...First American No. 1 junior since Brian Dunn in ‘92...Won first ATP match at AMS Miami (d. Vicente, l. to Agassi)...Underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery on Apr. 11...Reached first QF in Washington (l. to Agassi)... Won his first Challenger in Austin...