Andy Roddick Retiring After 2012 US Open

Andy Roddick, the most recognizable face in American men's tennis for the past decade, has announced that the 2012 U.S. Open will be his final tennis tournament.

Roddick announced a surprise, self-initiated press conference at 6:00 EDT. He immediately said that this U.S. Open was going to be his last event.

The 20th-seeded man at the U.S. Open—and second-highest seeded American man—said during his conference, "When I was playing my first round [at the Open] I knew."

He later acknowledged that he'd been thinking about retiring for months. "Walking off at Wimbledon, I felt like I knew."

Roddick said he couldn't imagine himself "being there [the U.S. Open] in another year."

When asked his reasons for retiring, Roddick said it was "just time." He also suggested that fitness and commitment were reasons for the timing of this decision. 

"With the way my body feels and the way I feel I'm able to compete now, I don't know if it's good enough," Roddick said.

Roddick also said that he was excited about his future plans away from tennis. "I have a lot of interests and a lot of other things that excite me, and I'm looking forward to those."

He specifically cited the youth tennis center he is constructing in Austin, Texas. 

Roddick defeated fellow American Rhyne Williams in the first round of the Open. His next round will be against Australian Bernard Tomic. Roddick plans to finish out the tournament. 

Roddick was ranked at the top of the tennis world in 2003 before he was permanently dethroned by Roger Federer—arguably the best player in history. Roddick can claim 32 titles and over 600 total wins, including winning the 2003 U.S. Open and making three appearances in the Wimbledon finals.