It was the final of the 2005 Wimbledon Open when Roger Federer was up against Andy Roddick in the finals. Roddick, after the match, passed some unusual comments on his opponent Federer.
Defending champion Roger Federer defeated Andy Roddick 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4 in their second consecutive finals clash to clinch the 2005 Wimbledon Open title. It was a repeat of the 2004 grass court Major, when they both faced each other in the finals and Federer defeated Roddick in straight sets. It was Roger Federer’s third consecutive Wimbledon Open title and fifth overall.
Andy Roddick ran out of adjectives at the post-match conference to describe Federer’s exceptional performance. He said that Federer’s performance was ‘head and shoulders’ above his performance in 2004. Though he lost to Federer once again, he was satisfied with the way he fought this time.
He firmly believed that if he had played like last year, he wouldn’t have stood a chance against the unstoppable Federer Express.
Roddick was asked about what he said to Federer at the post-match handshake, to which he replied that he simply congratulated him. He has always had huge respect for Federer on and off the court.
“I just said, ‘Congratulations’. There’s not much else to say. I have loads of respect for him, as a person as well. I’ve told him before, I’d love to hate you, but you’re really nice.”
– Andy Roddick in the post match conference
They had four Grand Slam final meets and all four went in the Swiss’ favor. The duo first met each other in the quarterfinals of the 2001 Swiss Indoors in Basel which Federer won in three sets and they met for the last time at the 2012 Miami Open in which Roddick defeated Federer in three sets.
“He owns the event” – Andy Roddick on Roger Federer’s importance in Laver Cup
Roger Federer who retired from tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup returned as the ambassador for Team Europe this season. He attended the 2023 Laver Cup in Vancouver. But his long-time rival Andy Roddick declined a fan’s request to join the 2023 Laver Cup as the ambassador of Team World.
Andy Roddick retired from tennis in 2012. Their rivalry existed for more than a decade during which they played each other 24 times. Federer leads the head-to-head record 21-3.
Prior to the 2023 Laver Cup, Roddick was recently seen enjoying the US Open final and presented the men’s singles trophy to Novak Djokovic.
In light of Federer joining Team Europe, a fan took to X and asked the American to join as the ambassador of Team World.
To which Andy Roddick replied:
“Roger owns the event……“
Roger owns the event …….
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 22, 2023
