Wimbledon - Federer: Roddick will return stronger

Eurosport - Mon, 06 Jul 19:03:00 2009

Andy Roddick's heartbreaking five-set defeat in the Wimbledon final can spur him on to greater things, according to his conqueror Roger Federer.

TENNIS 2009 Wimbledon beaten finalist Andy Roddick looks on as Roger Federer celebrates - 0

Federer said his own career has been galvanised after five-set losses of foe Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon last July and at the Australian Open in February.

"I came out being horribly sad and it was a tough loss," said Federer, whose 2008 Wimbledon showdown with Nadal is considered one of the greatest ever tennis matches.

"And then I look back, and it's going to be similar this time for Roddick, he's going to look back and think what an amazing match we played. It was so nice to be part of it."

Federer had to fight tooth and nail for four hours and 16 minutes on Sunday before finally subduing the 2003 US Open champion 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 to claim the Challenge Cup for the sixth time.

American number one Roddick slumped into the courtside chair and sat staring at the ground as he tried to fathom how he let the match get away from him.

He has dropped out of this weekend's Davis Cup quarter-final against Croatia after injuring his hip during the match.

"I was lucky that I was part of three five setters here in the finals at Wimbledon. You couldn't wish for a better scenario. I also lost one and it's rough but it makes you stronger," Federer said as he celebrated winning a record 15th Grand Slam crown.

"As you could see I reacted, I came back to win (the French Open last month in) Paris... and now I won Wimbledon. Sometimes it takes a loss to get you stronger. I lived it first hand last year."

Reuters

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  1. We all await the revolting comments of Hadjeseles

    From David, on Wed 8 Jul 12:35AM

  2. If Federer had not said anything about Roddick he would­ have been branded uncaring/arrogant/unfeeling/in a­ world of his own. When he did say something about­ Roddick he has been branded­ uncaring/arrogant/unfeeling/in a world of his own.­
    Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
    As a­ Federer fan I must state that he cries whether he­ looses or not-depending on the situation. Remember his­ first Wimbledon/Australian Open/Roland­ Garros/Olympics.
    Why can't people just live and let­ live. If you do not like him, just turn your attention­ to someone else.

    From caroline c, on Tue 7 Jul 10:19PM

  3. It's clear that there is no-one around Federer to­ tell him the truth. He's like Michael Jackson had­ become, living a fantasy.

    From webbski, on Tue 7 Jul 10:05PM

  4. Federer is very arrogant, has he forgotten that he­ hadn't won anything this year until Madrid which­ coincided with Nadal being injured? He hasn't come­ back stronger after his 5 set losses, he would never­ have beaten a fit Nadal at the French and was lucky to­ beat Roddick. If Roddick had been serving first in the­ 5th set those 2 break points at 8-8 would have been­ match points. At least Roddick didn't cry and ruin­ the moment for Federer as Federer always cries he­ loses.

    From laurendavies15, on Tue 7 Jul 9:43PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Federer is being patronising. He shouldn't forget­ that gamewise Roddick was one up on him, winning 29­ games to his 28 if I remember correctly. And also that­ Roddick is 25-26 already. So what's he telling him?­ You still have a few years ahead of you to win a GS if­ you really want it, look at what I did, you poor loser?­ A little humility never hurt anyone.

    From Jimmy, on Tue 7 Jul 6:14PM

  6. Great tournament by Roddick. Very tough loss in the­ final. As Hewitt pointed out, his game is fundamentally­ the same. However, IMO the small adjustments made,­ particularly on the backhand wing, have made him a far­ more solid player off the ground. Now, he looks quite­ comfortable in longer rallies and no longer seems to­ feel obliged to closing out points so quickly. The­ result is that he gifts far fewer points. I think­ he's a different proposition now than he was 12­ months ago. Stefanski seems to have done an amazing job­ in identifying the areas needing to be adjusted without­ trying to fix what wasn't broken. Take Care

    From rhymes450, on Tue 7 Jul 2:35PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Recently, I discovered a hot place – SeekTall Co m --­ where many sexy tall singles who like sports and­ chatting there. I'm an open minded girl from UK, I­ also like discuss sports and love with tall guys on it.

    From winluney06, on Tue 7 Jul 9:04AM

  8. I think Roddick gave Federer a hell of a test out­ there. I understand he must have been demolished after­ loosing it because of couple of points in the dark.­ Well, if Federer's nemesis is Nadal then­ Roddick's must be Federer. I actually think that­ Roddick was a bit better player in the second half of­ the match and I really thought Federer is finished­ after that poor 4th set. Unbelievable five set though,­ Federer being happy to open it up with his serve. That­ was crucial.

    From risimko, on Tue 7 Jul 8:55AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    cathy - you were @#$% m- deserved to lose = definitely
    ­ nadal will sortt you out/

    From m5jng, on Tue 7 Jul 3:15AM

  10. Yeah, Federa sorry for beating Andy hands down by a­ narrow and reflected on his loss to Nadal. Great­ thought, he actually has beaten Andy now for 3 GS. Hope­ he learn from that and pick up his game. Unfortunately,­ a retiring Federa can still manage to beat Andy­ anytime.

    From Augustine A, on Mon 6 Jul 11:45PM

  11. great tennis by A.Rod. well done...too bad u had to­ play federer...dunno y pple say federer is past his­ sell by date..at dis twilight hour he's still d man­ to beat..wat does dat tell u...his days of dominance­ may be over but he's still got wat it takes to­ remain on top...Get well soon andy and come back­ stronger...bless u

    From ande e, on Mon 6 Jul 11:22PM

  12. Andy Roddick only has two choices after a match like­ that - give up or come back fighting. He will, I am­ sure, choose the latter - he is playing really well and­ he can build on that - he will find a way to play­ better. Now he has injured his hip and I wish him all­ the very best for a speedy recovery.

    Don't be sad­ Andy - Get MAD!!

    You will always be my second­ favourite simply for knocking Murray off his self made­ pedastal. Yuk - cannot stand the man.

    From elinearmstrong1, on Mon 6 Jul 10:42PM

  13. Andy Roddick played damn good through out Wimbledon­ 2009, but i finally ran in to the guy destined for­ eternal greatness - Roger Federer.

    From Tristan, on Mon 6 Jul 9:49PM

  14. It's nice of Roger to say this but I suspect that­ it's actually far from the truth. Roddick knows­ that he has just played the best tennis he is capable­ of, on a surface that best suits his game, and he was­ still beaten by a Federer who was playing within­ himself. I'm not sure how you come back from that.

    From Bobito, on Mon 6 Jul 9:03PM

  15. Roger Federrer is not only a great player, he is also a­ wise man. Most of all he admitted that losing makes­ one stronger. That's the truth--it's a lesson­ for all of us--learn from your loss to become better.

    From Victoria, on Mon 6 Jul 8:38PM

  16. That was the best i've ever seen Roddick play. Well­ done!!!
    Im sure we'll see more great tennis from­ him now.

    From faizul, on Mon 6 Jul 7:29PM

  17. All the best Roddick. The US Open is yours. Go for­ it!!!

    from Maric, Ghana

    From maric, on Mon 6 Jul 6:52PM
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