Andy Roddick praised his longtime rival Roger Federer, highlighting Federer’s transformative influence on tennis and likening it to Tiger Woods’ dominance in golf. Speaking ahead of the 2005 Wimbledon Championships, Roddick acknowledged Federer as the clear favorite to win the tournament, reflecting on both Federer’s grass-court prowess and his overarching impact on the sport.
Entering Wimbledon 2005, Roddick was considered one of the leading contenders after finishing runner-up the previous year. In 2004, he had challenged Federer intensely in the four-set final but ultimately came up short, reinforcing the “One Slam Wonder” label that critics often attached to him despite his talent. Roddick had previously claimed the US Open title in 2003 but had yet to capture another Grand Slam.
In the months surrounding Wimbledon 2005, Roddick showed solid form by reaching the US Open quarterfinals and the Australian Open semifinals, though his momentum faltered with a second-round loss at the French Open. As he prepared early for grass-court matches in England, Roddick openly expressed the challenge Federer presented at Wimbledon 2005.
Roddick Recognizes Federer’s Dominance and Influence
In an interview with The Guardian, Roddick praised Federer’s sustained excellence on grass courts, noting that Federer had remained undefeated on grass for the previous two years. He described Federer as the best player he had seen, even though he never faced Pete Sampras at his prime.
“Roger has to be a clear-cut favourite for Wimbledon because he hasn’t lost on grass for two years. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen, though I didn’t play Pete [Sampras] when he was at his peak. What Roger has done in tennis is very similar to what Tiger Woods has done in golf,” Roddick said.
“Tiger was dominant but Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson all became better players. There’s a direct correlation. We’re all pushing each other to get better,” he added.
Roddick also addressed the “One Slam Wonder” criticism, expressing that it was unjust. Despite not winning another Grand Slam after his 2003 US Open title, he emphasized his consistency within the top ranks of the ATP, holding the No. 3 position at that time.
Wimbledon 2005 Final: Federer’s Swift Victory Over Roddick
History repeated itself at Wimbledon 2005, where Roger Federer secured his second consecutive title by defeating Andy Roddick once again in the final. Unlike the previous year’s four-set battle, Federer wrapped up the match in just three sets, marking his fifth Grand Slam victory overall.
Despite the fierce rivalry on court, the players shared a respectful and lighthearted moment during their post-match handshake. Roddick recalled the exchange during a press conference:
“I just said, ‘Congratulations.’ There’s not much else to say. I have loads of respect for him, as a person as well. I told him, I’ve told him before, ‘I’d love to hate you, but you’re really nice.'”
Throughout their careers, Federer maintained a dominant edge over Roddick, holding a lopsided head-to-head record of 21 wins to 3 losses. Federer’s repeated success over Roddick in major finals cemented the American’s difficulty in escaping the “One Slam Wonder” tag, as Federer won all four of their Grand Slam final encounters.
Legacy and Ongoing Rivalry’s Impact on Tennis
Roddick’s reflections on Federer’s influence highlight the profound effect one player can have on elevating an entire sport, much like Tiger Woods did in golf. This dynamic rivalry pushed not only the competitors themselves but also the broader tennis community to strive for greater excellence.
Federer’s continued dominance on grass and across all surfaces throughout this era reshaped expectations for elite performance, while Roddick’s consistent top-tier presence demonstrated resilience despite setbacks. Their encounters, especially at Wimbledon, remain defining moments in tennis history, illustrating how individual greatness can inspire improvement across a competitive field.