Andy Roddick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Andy Roddick

Roddick in 2012
Full name	Andrew Stephen Roddick
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Austin, Texas, U.S.
Born	(1982-08-30) August 30, 1982 (age 42) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Brooklyn Decker ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	2
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Turned pro	2000
Retired	Singles: 2012 Doubles: 2015
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Tarik Benhabiles (1999–2003) Brad Gilbert (2003–2004) Dean Goldfine (2004–2006) Jimmy Connors (2006–2008) John Roddick Larry Stefanki (2008–2012)
Prize money	US$20,640,030  30th all-time leader in earnings
Int. Tennis HoF	2017 (member page)
Singles
Career record	612–213 (74.18%) (74.2%)
Career titles	32
Highest ranking	No. 1 (November 3, 2003)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	SF (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009)
French Open	4R (2009)
Wimbledon	F (2004, 2005, 2009)
US Open	W (2003)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	SF (2003, 2004, 2007)
Olympic Games	3R (2004)
Doubles
Career record	68–51 (57.1%)
Career titles	4
Highest ranking	No. 50 (January 11, 2010)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	1R (2008)
French Open	1R (2001)
Wimbledon	1R (2001)
US Open	2R (1999, 2000)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	W (2007)

Andy Roddick is a famous American former professional tennis player. He was born on August 30, 1982. Andy won a major championship, the US Open, in 2003. He also reached four other major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. In these finals, he often played against his big rival, Roger Federer.

Andy was one of the top 10 tennis players in the world for nine years in a row (2002–2010). He even became the world No. 1 player in 2003. He also helped the U.S. Davis Cup team win the title in 2007. Andy Roddick stopped playing professional tennis after the 2012 US Open. He wanted to focus on his work with the Andy Roddick Foundation, which helps young people. In 2017, Andy was added to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He is married to Brooklyn Decker, who is a model and actress.

Early Life & Junior Career

Andy Roddick was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents are Blanche, a teacher, and Jerry, a businessman. He has two older brothers, Lawrence and John, who were also good tennis players when they were young.

Andy lived in Austin, Texas, from age 4 to 11. Then, his family moved to Boca Raton, Florida, to help his brother's tennis career. Andy finished high school in 2000.

Becoming a Top Junior Player

When Andy was 17, he thought about quitting tennis because he was losing a lot. But his coach, Tarik Benhabiles, convinced him to keep trying for a few more months. This decision paid off! Andy became the No. 1 junior tennis player in the world in 2000. He won six junior singles titles and seven junior doubles titles. He also won the junior singles titles at the US Open and the Australian Open in 2000.

Professional Tennis Career

2000–2002: Starting Strong

Andy Roddick began his professional career in 2000. He quickly showed his talent. In March, he won his first ATP match in Miami. He beat Fernando Vicente, who was ranked No. 41. In 2001, at just 18 years old, he beat Pete Sampras, a 7-time Wimbledon champion. Later that year, he defeated the world No. 1 player, Gustavo Kuerten. He also played well at Wimbledon, even winning a set against the eventual champion, Goran Ivanišević.

2003: US Open Champion & World No. 1

The year 2003 was a huge year for Andy. At the Australian Open, he played an amazing five-hour match against Younes El Aynaoui. The final set lasted over two hours! After that, he won the Queen's Club tournament in the UK. He beat Andre Agassi along the way.

Andy reached the Wimbledon semifinals but lost to Roger Federer. However, he got his revenge in August, beating Federer in Montreal. This was one of only three times Andy defeated Federer in a professional tournament.

Roddick serving in 2004

Andy won his first major title at the 2003 US Open. He came back from two sets down in the semifinals to win. Then, he beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. By the end of 2003, at age 21, Andy Roddick was ranked world No. 1. He was the youngest American to reach this rank since 1973.

2004: First Wimbledon Final

Roger Federer took over the No. 1 spot in early 2004. Andy reached his first Wimbledon final in June. He won the first set against Federer but lost the match in four sets. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Andy lost in the third round.

Later in 2004, Andy helped the U.S. Davis Cup team reach the final. He also saved fellow tennis player Sjeng Schalken and others from a hotel fire! Andy finished 2004 as the world No. 2. He also hit the most aces that year, with 2,017.

2005: Another Wimbledon Final

Roddick on his way to the first tournament win of 2005

Andy won his first tournament of 2005 at the SAP Open in California. He won the U.S. Men's Claycourt Championships in April. At the Rome Masters, Andy showed great sportsmanship. He told the umpire that his opponent's serve was actually in, even though the linesman called it out. His opponent went on to win the match.

At Wimbledon, Andy lost to Federer in the final for the second year in a row.

2006: US Open Final Again

At the Australian Open, Andy reached the fourth round. After Wimbledon, Andy started working with famous tennis legend Jimmy Connors as his coach. This helped him a lot! He won the Cincinnati Masters, his first Masters title since 2004.

At the US Open, Andy played very well. He reached the final for the first time since winning in 2003. However, he lost to Roger Federer again.

2007: Davis Cup Victory

Andy started 2007 strong, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open. He lost to Federer again, making his record against him 1 win to 13 losses. Andy helped the U.S. team win against the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup. He also won the Stella Artois Championships for the fourth time.

Roddick in Washington, 2007

At Wimbledon, Andy was a favorite to win. He reached the quarterfinals but lost in a close five-set match. Later that year, Andy won his second title of the year in Washington, D.C. He beat John Isner, a new American player.

Andy finished 2007 by helping the U.S. team win the 2007 Davis Cup. This was the U.S.'s 32nd Davis Cup win, and their first since 1995!

2008: Dealing with Injuries

Andy started 2008 by winning the AAMI Kooyong Classic for the third year in a row. He then won his 24th career title at the SAP Open in San Jose. He also won his 25th career title in Dubai, beating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic along the way. He didn't lose his serve once during the entire tournament!

After Dubai, Andy split with his coach, Jimmy Connors. He continued to be coached by his brother, John Roddick. Andy had to pull out of the French Open due to a shoulder injury. At Wimbledon, he lost in the second round, his earliest exit there.

Capturing the 26th title of his career in China, 2008

Andy reached the final of the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles. He then won his 26th ATP title at the China Open in September. He qualified for the season-ending Masters Cup but had to retire due to an ankle injury.

2009: Longest Wimbledon Final

Andy hired Larry Stefanki as his new coach in late 2008. He started 2009 by reaching the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. At the 2009 Australian Open, Andy reached the semifinals for the fourth time. He lost to Roger Federer.

Roddick reached the fourth round of the French Open for the first time.

Andy won his first title of 2009 at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. He chose not to play in the Dubai tournament because an Israeli player was not allowed to get a visa. Andy said he didn't agree with that decision. He won the doubles title at the BNP Paribas Open with his partner Mardy Fish. Andy had his best result ever at the French Open, reaching the fourth round.

Roddick reached the final of Wimbledon but had a disappointing US Open.

At Wimbledon, Andy played an incredible match. He beat Lleyton Hewitt in the quarterfinals, hitting 43 aces! He then defeated Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the final, he lost to Roger Federer in a very long match. The fifth set was 14–16, and the match set a record for the longest men's Grand Slam final ever. Andy was praised for his amazing effort. After the match, when asked about it, he simply said, "I lost."

Andy reached the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic but lost. He had to withdraw from several tournaments later in the year due to a knee injury. He finished 2009 as the world No. 7.

2010: Fifth Masters Title

Roddick playing at the 2010 Australian Open

Andy started 2010 by winning the Brisbane International. This meant he had won at least one ATP singles title for ten years in a row! He decided not to play for the U.S. in the Davis Cup that year. At the Australian Open, he lost in the quarterfinals.

Andy reached the final of the SAP Open and the BNP Paribas Open. At the Sony Ericsson Open, he beat Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. He then won his second title there, beating Tomáš Berdych. This was Andy's 29th career title and his fifth ATP Masters 1000 title.

Andy Roddick playing at US Open 2010

Andy didn't do well during the clay-court season and had to withdraw from some tournaments due to illness. At Wimbledon, he lost in the fourth round. He was later diagnosed with mononucleosis, which affected his play. However, he recovered and returned to the top 10 rankings. He finished 2010 as world No. 8, his ninth year in a row in the top 10.

2011: Out of the Top 10

Andy started 2011 by reaching the final of the Brisbane International. He won the 2011 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships, his 30th career title. He also helped the U.S. win their Davis Cup match against Chile.

Andy Roddick at the Queen's Championships

However, Andy struggled with injuries in 2011. He had to withdraw from the French Open due to a shoulder injury. At Wimbledon, he lost in the third round. This was the longest time in his career without reaching a Grand Slam quarterfinal. He also had an oblique muscle tear, which kept him out of more tournaments.

Andy dropped out of the top 20 rankings for the first time since 2001. He reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, his first Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2010. He lost to Rafael Nadal. Andy finished 2011 outside the top 10.

2012: Retirement

Andy began his 2012 season at the Australian Open. He had to retire from his second-round match due to a hamstring injury. He then played in several other tournaments. At the Sony Ericsson Open, he beat Roger Federer for only the third time in his career.

Andy Roddick at the Queen's Championships 2012 with Hewitt

Andy won his 31st career title at the Aegon International. This made him one of only two male players (the other being Roger Federer) to win at least one title every year for 12 years. At Wimbledon, he lost in the third round.

Andy won another title at the BB&T Atlanta Open. On August 30, 2012, his 30th birthday, Andy announced he would retire after the US Open. He won two more matches at the US Open before losing in the fourth round to Juan Martín del Potro. Four days later, Andy was honored in a special ceremony at the US Open for his retirement. He finished 2012 ranked No. 39.

2015: Doubles Appearance

In 2015, Andy played in one tournament. He competed in the men's doubles event at the 2015 BB&T Atlanta Open with his friend Mardy Fish. They lost in the quarterfinals.

2017: Hall of Fame

Andy Roddick was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 22, 2017. This is a huge honor for tennis players.

Playing Style

Andy Roddick was famous for his incredibly powerful serve. It often traveled between 130 and 150 miles per hour! He once held the record for the fastest serve ever, at 155 mph. His serve was so fast that opponents often couldn't return it.

He also used a strong forehand shot. Andy's second serve was usually a heavy "kick serve," which bounced very high. He also used different spins and angles to make it hard for his opponents. While he mostly stayed at the back of the court, he sometimes used a "serve-and-volley" tactic to surprise players. Over time, his playing style became more well-rounded.

Media Appearances

Andy Roddick has appeared on many TV shows. He was a guest star on Sabrina the Teenage Witch in 2002. He also appeared on popular talk shows like Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

In 2003, Andy hosted Saturday Night Live. He was only the second tennis player ever to host the show. He also appeared in a funny advertisement for This is SportsCenter.

In 2011, Andy had a small role in the movie Just Go with It with his wife, Brooklyn Decker. He also co-hosted a sports radio show for Fox Sports Radio. In 2015, he joined the BBC as a commentator for Wimbledon.

Personal Life

Andy Roddick is married to Brooklyn Decker. He first saw her on a TV show and had his agent contact her. They started dating in 2007 and got married on April 17, 2009. They have two children, a son born in 2015 and a daughter born in 2017.

Awards and Records

Andy Roddick won the ESPY Award for Best Male Tennis Player in 2004. That same year, he received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award. This award recognized his charity work, like raising money for tsunami survivors and creating the Andy Roddick Foundation to help young people.

In 2007, Andy and his foundation received another award from the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. He was the first male tennis player to get this award.

Here are some of Andy Roddick's serve records:

• Fastest serve in Australian Open: 148 mph.
• Fastest serve in Dubai: 150 mph.
• Fastest serve in US Open: 152 mph.
• Fastest serve on record (Davis Cup): 155 mph (2004–2011).

Career statistics

Grand Slam tournaments

Performance timeline

Finals: 5 (1 title, 4 runner-ups)

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	2003	US Open	Hard	Juan Carlos Ferrero	6–3, 7–6(7–2), 6–3
Loss	2004	Wimbledon	Grass	Roger Federer	6–4, 5–7, 6–7(3–7), 4–6
Loss	2005	Wimbledon	Grass	Roger Federer	2–6, 6–7(2–7), 4–6
Loss	2006	US Open	Hard	Roger Federer	2–6, 6–4, 5–7, 1–6
Loss	2009	Wimbledon	Grass	Roger Federer	7–5, 6–7(6–8), 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 14–16

Masters Series

Finals: 9 (5 titles, 4 runner-ups)

Result	Year	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	2002	Toronto, Canada	Hard	Guillermo Cañas	4–6, 5–7
Win	2003	Montreal, Canada	Hard	David Nalbandian	6–1, 6–3
Win	2003	Cincinnati, US	Hard	Mardy Fish	4–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–4)
Win	2004	Miami, US	Hard	Guillermo Coria	6–7(2–7), 6–3, 6–1, ret.
Loss	2004	Toronto, Canada	Hard	Roger Federer	5–7, 3–6
Loss	2005	Cincinnati, US	Hard	Roger Federer	3–6, 5–7
Win	2006	Cincinnati, US (2)	Hard	Juan Carlos Ferrero	6–3, 6–4
Loss	2010	Indian Wells, US	Hard	Ivan Ljubičić	6–7(3–7), 6–7(5–7)
Win	2010	Miami, US (2)	Hard	Tomáš Berdych	7–5, 6–4

Records

• These records were achieved during the Open Era of tennis.

See Also

In Spanish: Andy Roddick para niños

• World TeamTennis, played for the Philadelphia Freedoms in 2010.
• Federer–Roddick rivalry