“It Was Frustrating” – Andy Roddick on Playing Against Roger Federer

Published 04/15/2020, 5:13 PM EDT

The eminent rivalry in men’s tennis from 2000s Roger Federer vs Andy Roddick has bestowed a few epic tennis matches to the sport. The duo locked horns 24 times in their careers, but the American could outplay the Swiss just three times.

One of the fastest servers on the ATP Tour Roddick explained, its frustrating when Federer tactfully returns the ball, or he comes up with a return winner.

“It was like a volume play, he would make a ton of returns. When I was serving some guys, they are taking tons of returns at least trying to hit over every return. They were rarely going to square it up perfectly,” Andy told Tennis Channel.

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“But, if I had to win first-serve points with Roger, with every very very small movement he put the ball back in play. Once we were neutral it was his advantage. And his ability to accept my pace with very little movement and make a ton of return, it was frustrating.”

“Roger Federer played great defense” – Andy Roddick

He was asked, how is it to play Roger Federer on Wimbledon’s center court. “Depressing at times,” he replied. “I played him four years in a row. In his prime, he had the option of serving and volleying a lot more.”

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Andy explained Federer’s prowess and his merits during the 2000s. “He played great defense and knew how to get out of the tough situation. In his prime, maybe when he was a step faster, I guess, he passed amazingly well. I don’t think it’s talked enough,” he added.

Federer defeated Roddick four times at major finals, and the reverie of his second Grand Slam title is not fulfilled until now. Their last Grand Slam final took place at Wimbledon 2009. That battle is considered to be one of the historic matches in tennis’ history.

In the epic championships match, Roddick’s unforced error on the final point, gifted Federer his very first break of service and consequently the Wimbledon title.

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That day on the lawns of SW19, Federer surpassed Pete Sampras’ all-time record of 14 Grand Slams, by clinging his sixth Wimbledon title.

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department.

“It Was Frustrating” – Andy Roddick on Playing Against Roger Federer

“Roger Federer played great defense” – Andy Roddick

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