Rafa Nadal’s absence from the US Open in Queens has taken some sizzle out of the tournament but there always seems to be a special, unexpected storyline to emerge from this event. Without any hint it was coming, the most talented and charismatic American male tennis player of the last decade announced he was leaving the game. Andy Roddick’s 30th birthday fell on an off day last week. He chose that day to tell assembled tennis media in Flushing Meadows he would retire after getting bounced from the year‘s final major. One look at Roddick’s Open draw told you why he chose last Thursday to make such a declaration. There was no way he could go out on top. Too many better big hitters stood in his way. Rather than bottle up such news, Roddick gave fair warning to an adoring fandom. It provided both player and fan a chance to say goodbye. Andy advanced two more rounds before getting ousted by Juan Martn del Potro in a fourth round match that spanned two days. Slotted in prime time when the Ashe court is at its most special, rainstorms delayed Andy’s goodbye when it would have been most fitting. Under the lights in the big city. But that interruption Tuesday night provided a reminder of why Andy has been so likeable. With his wife, coach and a few pals sitting opposite his changeover chair, Andy grinned as the sound system played a pop music tune with a heavy beat. The rain fell harder. Andy clenched his fists and feigned a dance move. His box mock-danced. Everybody laughed. The match was suspended and everybody went home. On Wednesday just four losing points from retirement, Andy gazed into the upper deck at Ashe and tears filled his eyes. Filaments from a frayed towel he used to wipe sweat off his face covered his right cheek. And then it was over. He didn’t go out on top. But he’ll be remembered for a long time for mischievous and entertaining post-match interviews with Bud Collins. He got the one major in Flushing. He played that historic five-setter with Federer at Wimbledon in 2009. He was deeply devoted to the under-appreciated Davis Cup team concept. He was really, really funny in victory – and defeat. I’ll miss him, for sure.

-Mizzou’s first conference football game since the university’s financially-motivated decision to join the SEC comes Saturday night in Columbia against Georgia. The point spread is puzzling. The Dawgs opened at minus 3.5 but have dropped to minus 2. I’ll be shocked if Mizzou can stay within two touchdowns of Georgia. The two teams have squared off just once in history. It was the 1960 Orange Bowl and Dan Devine was the Mizzou coach.

-Tomorrow (Thursday) is the first day of classes for New York City’s 1.1 million public school students. Scheduled week-long breaks in both late February and late March push the end of the school year to June 26, 2013. The latest data released by the city puts average high school class size at 26.8. Free breakfast is served to all NYC public school students who want it and lunches cost $1.50 for those who come from families who don’t fall below certain income limits. On the city-wide breakfast menu for the first day of school: “Home-style French toast with warm peach topping and a turkey sausage patty.”