Roddick hobbles out of the French Open.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

PARIS _ He limped off Court Philippe Chatrier two days earlier unsure whether to scream or cry. Andy Roddick ignored his body's pleas for repose and outlasted a former French Open champion in just under four hours.

Friday, Roddick hobbled toward the same tunnel after his third-round match against No. 6 Lleyton Hewitt. There was no confusion about how to manifest his emotions.

A distraught Roddick abandoned the contest after taking a nasty spill and suffering a left hamstring injury in the fourth game of the third set. A Hewitt forehand sent Roddick lunging deep into the back right corner. Roddick got his racket on the ball, but his right foot stuck in the clay as he tried to slide. The tumbling Roddick came to a stop short of the barrier.

Roddick, of Boca Raton, remained contorted in pain for several moments until a trainer emerged and ultimately wrapped his left thigh. Roddick tried to continue, but the attempt lasted less than a game.

Unable to elevate on his subsequent serves, Roddick opted to retire. He played four points before coach Tarik Benhabiles and U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe, both watching from the stands, implored Roddick to stop. The two players split the first two sets and were on serve in the third.

``My legs were a little bit sore from the other day,'' said Roddick, referring to Wednesday's five-set, 3-hour, 50-minute win over Michael Chang. ``Early in the second, I was having a little trouble moving to my right because it was starting to tighten up, my upper hamstring.''

Roddick underwent an ultrasound examination to determine the extent of the damage. No tears were found, and Roddick should be ready for his next scheduled tournament, a Wimbledon tuneup at Queen's Club starting June 11.