As long as this lasts, Andy Roddick is going to enjoy it in all its glory. At the moment, it's pretty glorious.

Roddick, the just-turned 30-year-old, announced on his birthday this past Thursday that he is calling it quits on his career as soon as his U.S. Open comes to a close. With that of course comes a do-or-die excitement to his matches, an even higher level of pressure on each shot, each rally and each set. Every match could be his last.

Considering his status as the top American male in tennis for the past decade and the last to win a Grand Slam (at the Open nine years ago), he was already a big draw in New York. Even as the No. 20 seed he has played on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium for every match thus far, including Sunday's 7-5, 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Fabio Fognini to reach the Round of 16. No surprise he has had the full support of the pro-American crowd.

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"These last couple days since I said what I was going to do it's been very humbling," Roddick said after the match. "I really appreciate all this support. I really do."

What was a (mild) surprise is to see Roddick really embracing it and running with it. Literally. Roddick, whose emotion on the court is seemingly more often directed toward the chair umpire instead of his own exultations, was playing to the crowd a little more than we're accustomed to seeing.

At no point was that more evident than in the second-set tie-breaker when Roddick, down a minibreak, flicked one of his classic hooking forehands down the line past a volleying Fabio Fognini to conclude a 20-shot rally. A few points later it was Roddick who was volleying -- rare form for him -- with success and taking a victory lap around the court while the crowd roared, his American-flag sneakers all too fitting.

After dropping the first point on his serve in the tie-break, Roddick won seven points in a row on the strength of that forehand winner ... and the crowd.

Fognini was able to make it interesting. He did what hadn't happened to Roddick yet in the U.S. Open and that was break Roddick's still power serve. Fognini went on to win the third set to return the drama but Roddick didn't seem interested in going out. Not yet.

That appeared to be the rallying cry for Roddick. Not yet. When the match was finished he looked back toward his box with a big smile and did his best Dikembe Mutombo impression with an emphatic but dismissive finger wag. Not yet.

It's going to get a lot tougher from here on out for Roddick on his farewell tour. He has advanced through the first three rounds without having to face another seeded player but next he draws 2009 champion Juan Martin Del Potro. Just in case Roddick is able to pass that challenge he likely has Novak Djokovic in the quarters. It will take more than the boisterous support of the New York crowd to get through that gauntlet.

This much is clear, though. Roddick is enjoying every bit of this. He's staying focused on what he needs to do, but in the meantime you can also see he's soaking it up while it's still here.

"I was just trying to play point to point and keep my emotions together," Roddick said. "All the while I'm trying to appreciate this tournament. You guys [the crowd] have just made it so special."

Roddick is clearly enjoying it and so are the fans. Everybody is hoping they'll get to enjoy it for just a bit longer.

Roddick looks to his box after the match and lets them no he isn't retiring today. (Getty Images)