Former World No 1 Andy Roddick is looking forward to seeing one of his biggest rivals Roger Federer back on court though the Swiss denied him the chance of winning more than one major.
The American had ended 2003 on a high, winning the US Open and finishing the year ranked No 1 in the world.
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Federer, one year older than Roddick, not only snatched the top-ranking from him in February 2004 but also beat him in four Grand Slam finals, including three at Wimbledon.
Speaking to Tennis Channel Live, Roddick said, “Even though the guy ruined my entire life for a decade, I want to see Roger Federer back. I want to see him healthy.”
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The American has a losing 3-21 record against Federer. Moreover, he has never beaten the 20-time champion in any of their Grand Slam contests.
The most heartbreaking loss for Roddick came at Wimbledon 2009, when he squandered a two sets to one lead to lose 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 in the final.
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Federer, who will turn 40 this year, has been laid low for almost a year due to injuries. The Swiss played only one tournament in 2020, the Australian Open, before undergoing two knee surgeries. Last week, Federer pulled out of the 2021 Australian Open as he still is not a hundred percent fit.
“If this is near the end for him, I want to see a proper send-off for Roger,” Federer’s one-time rival Roddick added graciously.
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Last month, Federer had sparked retirement fears while accepting a Swiss sports award.
“I hope there is still something to see from me next year,” Federer had said. “But if that was it, that would have been an incredible ending for me at these Sports awards.”
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The 39-year-old is training in Dubai currently and is hoping to make a comeback in time to peak at Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics later in the year.
