"I also never walked on the moon": Andy Roddick gives superb response to supposedly never being better than Federer, Nadal or Djokovic
ATPSaturday, 27 April 2024 at 00:00
Andy
Roddick sarcastically mocked a fan when he pointed out that he wasn't good
enough compared to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The former
American tennis player was one of the dominant figures on the ATP Tour between
2002 and 2010, ending nine consecutive seasons in the top 10, in addition to
winning the 2003 US Open and finishing No. 1 that same year. Additionally,
Roddick secured 5 Masters 1000 titles, the Davis Cup, and four runner-up
finishes in Grand Slam finals.
Roddick's sarcastic remark on being compared to the Big-3
Roddick's
peak years on the Tour coincided with the rise of Roger Federer, marking the
beginning of the Big-3 era with Federer's first Grand Slam at Wimbledon 2003,
where the Swiss defeated Roddick in the semifinals before claiming the title
against Australian Mark Philippoussis.
The last
match of the rivalry between Roddick and Federer was at the 2012 Miami Open,
where the North American emerged victorious. The one-sided head-to-head ended
21-3 in favor of Federer.
"I'd
go into a Wimbledon final, I had a puncher's chance, but I believed that not
that I was better, but that I could win. There's a difference between the two,
I knew, at scale, I was never better than Roger Federer… but on a given day,
can I throw a right-hand uppercut and beat Roger? Yeah," said Roddick.
Roddick held the world No. 1 ranking for 13 weeks between 2003 and 2004.
Referring
to this interview, a fan on X (formerly Twitter) asserted that Roddick was
never at the level of the Big-3: "He was never better than Nadal or
Djokovic either!" said a fan.
"I
also never walked on the moon," said Roddick.
Another fan
pointed out that basically no one who has picked up a racket is at the level of
the Big-3, so it doesn't make sense to attack Roddick for that: "Wait why
is @andyroddick being attacked for not being as good as Fed, Nadal, or Novak?
That would apply to every other person who has ever picked up a racquet,"
they wrote on X.
"Because
internet," Roddick responded to the second fan.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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