During the 2012 U.S. Open,Andy Roddickannounced that he’d be retiring from tennis after his run in the tournament ended. Now, seven years later, Roddick will return to the open as a partner of IHG Hotels & Resorts, and being back in New York City for the event allows him to think back on when he used to compete.“There’s so many memories and relationships throughout the years at this tournament,” Roddick, 36, told PEOPLE at Wednesday night’s the IHG Legends, Unmatched U.S. Open celebration in New York City. “I love coming back to New York. It always feels comfortable. You see a lot of the familiar faces, so it’s nice to have this one thing in your life that you feel like you can always go back to and it gives you a hug a little bit.”The former top-ranked tennis player in the world admits that he doesn’t usually reflect onhis storied career, though.“I don’t think about it too much,” he said. “I think that’s for other people. It seems so far away. The game has given me everything I’ve ever had in life, so I certainly appreciate it, but I don’t do much in the game of tennis now. Unfortunately, you have to; You lose control of geography if that happens a little bit.”Dia Dipasupil/GettyAndy Roddick competing in the IHG Hotels and Resorts Legends, Unmatched table tennis event at N.Y.C.’s Kimpton Hotel Eventi on Aug. 21.Dia Dipasupil/GettyAs for whether he has any career regrets, Roddick said, “Everyone has those, but that’s not my takeaway.”The father of two admits that not being a full-time athlete anymore comes with some perks. “It’s nice to be able to have a little bit more wine at dinner without worrying about how it affects [me] the next day,” he said.RELATED VIDEO: Brooklyn Decker Tweets How Her Husband Saved The Day With TequilaThough Roddick has actually taken up another sport. “I play golf a lot,” the 2003 U.S. Open men’s singles winner said.Also in his free time, Roddick enjoys traveling with his wife, actressBrooklyn Decker, and their son Hank, 4, anddaughter Stevie, who will turn 2 in November.“We have alittle place in a mountain town in North Carolinathat has one stoplight and dodgy cell phone service,” Roddick said. “We’re in the car and we can put on a movie for the kids. That’s kind of a bit of a getaway for us.”Suzanne Cordeiro/REX/ShutterstockRoddick and Decker, 32, took advantage of his IHG partnership for a kid-free trip to New York City to celebrate their 10-year wedding anniversary earlier this year.“We got here in the afternoon and we got the room, and it was just silent. It was deafening,” Roddick quipped. “We went to a restaurant that we’d been going to for 15 years and just had a quiet night. It was 24 hours and it was great.”
During the 2012 U.S. Open,Andy Roddickannounced that he’d be retiring from tennis after his run in the tournament ended. Now, seven years later, Roddick will return to the open as a partner of IHG Hotels & Resorts, and being back in New York City for the event allows him to think back on when he used to compete.
“There’s so many memories and relationships throughout the years at this tournament,” Roddick, 36, told PEOPLE at Wednesday night’s the IHG Legends, Unmatched U.S. Open celebration in New York City. “I love coming back to New York. It always feels comfortable. You see a lot of the familiar faces, so it’s nice to have this one thing in your life that you feel like you can always go back to and it gives you a hug a little bit.”
The former top-ranked tennis player in the world admits that he doesn’t usually reflect onhis storied career, though.
“I don’t think about it too much,” he said. “I think that’s for other people. It seems so far away. The game has given me everything I’ve ever had in life, so I certainly appreciate it, but I don’t do much in the game of tennis now. Unfortunately, you have to; You lose control of geography if that happens a little bit.”
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Andy Roddick competing in the IHG Hotels and Resorts Legends, Unmatched table tennis event at N.Y.C.’s Kimpton Hotel Eventi on Aug. 21.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
As for whether he has any career regrets, Roddick said, “Everyone has those, but that’s not my takeaway.”
The father of two admits that not being a full-time athlete anymore comes with some perks. “It’s nice to be able to have a little bit more wine at dinner without worrying about how it affects [me] the next day,” he said.
RELATED VIDEO: Brooklyn Decker Tweets How Her Husband Saved The Day With Tequila
Though Roddick has actually taken up another sport. “I play golf a lot,” the 2003 U.S. Open men’s singles winner said.
Also in his free time, Roddick enjoys traveling with his wife, actressBrooklyn Decker, and their son Hank, 4, anddaughter Stevie, who will turn 2 in November.
“We have alittle place in a mountain town in North Carolinathat has one stoplight and dodgy cell phone service,” Roddick said. “We’re in the car and we can put on a movie for the kids. That’s kind of a bit of a getaway for us.”
Suzanne Cordeiro/REX/Shutterstock
Roddick and Decker, 32, took advantage of his IHG partnership for a kid-free trip to New York City to celebrate their 10-year wedding anniversary earlier this year.
“We got here in the afternoon and we got the room, and it was just silent. It was deafening,” Roddick quipped. “We went to a restaurant that we’d been going to for 15 years and just had a quiet night. It was 24 hours and it was great.”
source: people.com
