Pitch of Dreams Life doesn't get any better than having a ball at your feet

The US Open was Andy Roddick’s farewell to the sport of tennis –Roddick announced, pre Major in New York that it would be his very last Grand Slam and he will be retiring after the US Open.

Andy has had such a wonderful career . With 32 titles to his name, we can only salute him as a champion. In November of 2003 he became number 1 in the world after winning the US Open. The years there after really being his peak in tennis. Roddick Reached 3 Wimbledon finals. 4 Australian open semi finals, and could only muster a quarterfinal reach in the French open. Clay not being his favourite of surfaces. Andy really excelled at the game on hard court and grass. Known for his huge serve ( fastest recorded at 153 mph) and aggressive baseline play. Not many guys could beat him. Not even Roger Federer.

Andy had a lot of ups and downs in his career. Injuries that knocked him back in form and finishing high on the tour. Roddick also was changing coaches a lot throughout his career with the likes of Brad Gilbert, Jimmy Connors and finishing up with Larry Stephanki.

Andy Roddick has always been my favorite player on the ATP Tour, even back when he first made his first appearance at Queens, London. I can remember, Sue Barker asking him if he had a girlfriend to which at the time he was dating actress, Mandy Moore. Now Andy is married to Sports illustrated model Brooklyn Decker. Not only did I love his remarkable talent but his character and charisma made him the player he was.

Pre and post match interviews were always interesting. Andy could joke with the Press but also tell them what he thought of them at the same time. Certainly was never scared to voice his opinion. Andy was actually one of the first athletes in the world I knew of that really took to social media, with his opinions and hilarious comments posted on Twitter. Now every player on the tour has a twitter account. Must be a trend setter also! Roddick had a great sense of humor as you can see in the video below. Being a big supporter of charities, not only his own ( Andy Roddick Foundation) but others too. Playing in charity matches with past and present stars he would imitate other players by their actions. Great amusement for the crowd.

Tennis will certainly miss him – Andy Roddick was and still is a huge face to the US on the mens side. Players such as John Isner coming through certainly look up to this guy. Roddick has a great friendship with fellow US player, Mardy Fish. With Fish having a lot of health issues recently, no one better has been there for support than Andy Roddick.

US Open 2012 – Roddick was playing some of his best tennis in a long time. Fans were urging him to keep going through the tournament and his career. A hard and emotional battle, Andy lost his last game to Juan Del Potro.

I have been a huge lover of the sport for 20 years plus. and I can certainly say that the game will miss you Andy Roddick.

What a guy, what a player, what a champion!

I salute you