Andy Roddick recently revealed why he really envied Roger Federer. According to Roddick, his envy didn’t stem from the fact that Federer denied him four Major titles. Instead, the American cited the Swiss’ ‘ease of operation’, even during taxing practice sessions.
Speaking on a recently-released episode of his Served podcast, Roddick revisited a particular experience of his in Rome as he was practicing for his Italian Open campaign. The American former World No. 1 and 2003 US Open champion was drenched in sweat at the time and in no mood to interact with fans. However, he saw his great rival Federer charmingly receiving love from fans attending his practice and sending it back to them. Roddick said:
“My biggest envy point with Roger ever, I would be like a sweaty mess, just disgustingly like dirt all over myself passing his court in Rome. I’d just finished an hour and a half practice, looked like I was building the court not playing on it. And then I’d walk by and he’s just for an hour he’s smiling, laughing. Fans are like, ‘Hey Roger! We love you!’ and he’s like, ‘I love you too!’ I’m like, I don’t love anyone when I’m on the practice court.”
Roddick went on to highlight the ease with which Federer used to operate and how this came to be the American’s ‘envy point’.
“My biggest point of envy isn’t the titles, it’s the ease of operation. and just knowing that you’re that good to where it’s like you know it’s going to be there.”
Federer defeated Roddick in the finals of four Majors; 2004, 2005, 2009 Wimbledon Championships, and 2006 US Open.
Andy Roddick Opened Up About Wimbledon Regret In Candid 2023 Confession
In 2023, Roddick, in an interview with GQ, spoke up about how he retired in 2012 at the age of 30 with regret in his heart of not ever winning Wimbledon, where Federer dashed his hopes in three finals. The American said:
“Had I won Wimbledon, I don’t think I would have one single regret. I’m not disappointed I didn’t win ten slams. I’m disappointed I didn’t win Wimbledon. You can have seven of ’em. I just wanted one.”
In the 2004 Wimbledon final, Federer registered a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4 win over Roddick. The next year, the Swiss won in straight sets. In 2009, the American gave it everything he had, but still had to settle for second best, as Federer won 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14.
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