Andy Roddick's 12 year career as a professional tennis player has come to an end, after the 30-year-old was knocked out of the US Open by Juan Martin del Potro this morning (September 6).

Roddick put up a tough fight, taking the match to four sets, but was eventually defeated 6-7, 7-6, 6-2 6-4 in a match that had to take place over two days due to the weather.

Fittingly, Roddick exits the tournament as the last US-based player standing. He ends his career with 32 titles to his name, including a win at the 2003 US Open which was his only Grand Slam victory and briefly sent him to the top of the world rankings.

Roddick has a large fanbase and will be sorely missed on the professional scene, with comments on the US Open Facebook page saying it all.

"He will always be my role model! He will be missed by everyone! Tennis world will not be the same without him. I wish him all the best!" writes Elmer John Villasanta.

"[I] still cannot hold my tears :'( End of era! We will miss you Mr. Roddick. Big Congrats for your amasing [sic] career and thanks millions of times for great memories! For the last time, Good Play!" says Cisem Ucar.

Del Potro will now have to contend with Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals after the Serbian made light work of Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth round. Djokovic was up 6-4, 6-1, 3-1 when Wawrinka retired with an injury.

David Ferrer also qualified for the next round after beating Richard Gasquet, and will take on Janko Tipsarevic in the quarterfinals.

On the other side of the draw, Roger Federer didn't even have to step onto the court in order to win his match against Mardy Fish, after the American withdrew as a precautionary measure.

Fish has a history of arrhythmia – or an irregular heartbeat as it is commonly known – and this result leaves a little bit of doubt over the future of the 30-year-old's playing career.

That means Federer will be fully rested when he goes up against Tomas Berdych in the quarters, who beat Nicolas Almagro in straight sets to advance.

The last quarter-final match up will see London 2012 gold medallist Andy Murray take on Marin Cilic, after both men made light work of their fourth round opponents.