When the emotional end came to Andy Roddick’s tennis career, it happened with tears in his eyes, childhood memories in his thoughts and a crowd chanting his name at the site of his greatest triumph.

A week past his 30th birthday and his announcement he would retire after the US Open, Roddick’s career concluded on Wednesday when Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro defeated the US 20th seed 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-4 in the fourth round.