Delray Beach International Tennis Championships

Andy Roddick drops out of Delray Beach ITC

Andy Roddick announcing that he is dropping out of the Delray Beach ITC during a news conference Monday.

By David Sedore, Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Former Boca Raton resident Andy Roddick has dropped out of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, citing illness.

Roddick was scheduled to play Dudi Sela of Israel Tuesday evening following the finals of the ATP Champions tournament. The evening session is sold out.

“I’m very disappointed,” Roddick said during a news conference held late Monday afternoon in the commission chambers of Delray Beach City Hall. “It’s just unfortunate timing. I was looking forward to coming back.

“I honestly don’t feel I can go out there and give my best. I need to get better before I play again.”

Roddick coughed several times during the conference and made reference to a bout with mononucleosis he had last year. He said he woke up Sunday “and felt like I got hit by a bus.”

“The loss of Andy does affect the tournament, of course,” tournament director Mark Baron said. “When I found out how sick he was I understood completely.”

Baron said the tournament field is the strongest its ever been, even with the loss of Roddick.

Baron announced that Tuesday's evening session would begin at 5:30 with a Ashley Fisher/Stephen Huss vs. Jack Sock/Donald Young doubles match, followed by a 7:15 Juan Martin del Potro vs Richard Berankis ATP World Tour first round match, followed by the ATP Champions Tour final.

On Sunday, Roddick defeated Canadian Milos Raonic to win the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships with what some are calling one the greatest match points of all time.