"Roger Federer was the best defensive and the best offensive player in the world at the same time" - Andy Roddick
In a recording from the Netflix documentary Untold: Breaking Point, Andy Roddick complimented Roger Federer's on-court skills, saying he was the "best defensive and offensive player" in his prime. Roddick also described Federer as the "most-liked athlete in the world" and praised his ability to learn different languages
"Roger was the best defensive and the best offensive player in the world at the same time. How do you attack that? He's the most-liked athlete in the world, universally, in the world. You speak 17 languages and your hair looks amazing, it's fantastic, and you don't sweat," said Roddick.
.@MardyFish and @andyroddick talking about @rogerfederer 🐐 https://t.co/gfX11Cia9V
Roger Federer and Andy Roddick are good friends off the court. The two crossed paths on the ATP tour on 24 occasions, with Federer enjoying a 21-3 advantage over the American. Interestingly, the two encountered each other in four Grand Slam finals, with the Swiss maestro winning on all occasions.
Roddick also claimed that although he is not at all jealous of Federer, he is "jealous of the ease at which he is able to navigate being the greatest player of all time."
2006 @usopen final. One of those never-in-doubt Grand Slam finals during Roger Federer's peak. 3rd consecutive US Open title! Roger dominated and owned Roddick for the most part. 21-3 head to head! https://t.co/OojmgrHGhG
"I'm not jealous of his success. I am jealous of the ease at which he's able to navigate being the greatest of all time," added the former US Open champion.
The two were recently spotted together in the stands of the 2021 Laver Cup, which took place in Boston, United States
Always great catching up w @rogerfederer ! Enjoyed seeing @LaverCup in person for the first time. Til next time …. https://t.co/nJdbZTr53Z
Mardy Fish lauds Roger Federer, says he "figured out a way to win every single time"
In the documentary, former World No. 7 Mardy Fish also lauded Federer for his ability to grind out wins despite not playing his best tennis. Fish further stressed that the 20-time Grand Slam winner had an "aura of invincibility around him," making life difficult for his opponents.
Fish also recalled his 2004 Halle Open final against Federer, where the Swiss established a 6-0, 3-0 lead in the first 25 minutes. He revealed that he is still convinced that Federer deliberately prolonged the match, winning it 6-0, 6-3 instead of 6-0, 6-0 because he "felt bad for the people," who had paid money to come and watch the match.
"He figured out a way to win every time, every single time. Roger had this aura of invincibility around him where you just could never breathe 'cause he could turn it like that. Boom point's over," mentioned Fish.
The documentary looked at the junior and senior career of Mardy Fish (while also featuring Roddick) and his process of reaching the top-10 followed by an extended break from the sport due to Fish's battle with anxiety and other mental health issues.
"We played in the final of 2004 in Halle, Roger went up 6-0, 3-0, in like 25 minutes. I am like, 'unbelievable, this guy is gonna beat me 6-0, 6-0 in the finals of a tournament.' I think he probably felt bad for all the people that had paid money to come and watch and I am still, to this day, convinced that he prolonged the match a little bit longer, so it was 6-0, 6-3. He made it like an hour," concluded the former World No. 7 player.
Currently ranked 26th in the world, Roger Federer recently resumed training after eight months off due to a knee injury. His comeback date is still uncertain.
Also Read: "When I started, you won €6,000 if you were eliminated in the first round but now it's €60,000 thanks to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer" - Tommy Robredo