Roddick marvels at Federer's greatness
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-04 08:44

Andy Roddick is just about running out of superlatives to describe Roger Federer.

"He's probably as close as has been to unbeatable," Roddick said. "I feel like I played decent and the stats are decent, and I got straight-setted. I'm not going to sit around and sulk and cry. I did everything I could."

Federer beat Roddick in a second consecutive Wimbledon final, 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-4 Sunday. That makes it three years in a row Roddick has lost to the Swiss star at Wimbledon, including the 2003 semifinals. Federer improved to 9-1 overall against Roddick, who is 32-0 against everyone else on grass since 2003.

Roddick has won just one of 10 sets in their three Wimbledon showdowns, and Federer is 7-1 in tiebreakers.

"He's the most physically gifted I've played against," said Roddick, who walked around the net to hug and congratulate Federer after the match. "But he's become a mental force, too."

Roddick said Federer played "head and shoulders" above last year's final.

"I feel like if I played the way I did this year versus the way I was playing last year, I'd probably win," Roddick said.

Roddick's coach, Dean Goldfine, said the 2003 U.S. Open champion was gaining confidence against Federer by trying new tactics.

"I think there's things that Andy could do to be effective against Roger," Goldfine said. "It's all a learning process. ... His net game is getting better and that's obviously one of the keys. If you sit back there and let Roger hit from the baseline and don't pressure him, it's tough."

Since Roddick's breakthrough in New York, none of the last seven Grand Slam tournaments has been won by an American man, the longest such drought in 16 years.

After losing to Federer in last year's final at the All England Club, Roddick quipped that he "threw the kitchen sink at him, but he went to the bathroom and got a tub."

On Sunday, while holding the runner-up trophy, Roddick said with a smile that he would consider punching Federer before future matches.

Later, he said he just hoped Federer would get bored of playing.

"It's hard for him because I really played a fantastic match — one of the best in my life," said Federer, who won his third straight Wimbledon title. "I won't get bored so quickly, so I'm sorry."

Roddick joked his way through the postmatch news conference, even making his dour English moderator laugh.

"I finally got a laugh out of you," Roddick said, turning away from the reporters and pointing to the Wimbledon official. "They're easy, but ..."

Roddick was seeded second at Wimbledon — two places higher than his ranking and one spot ahead of No. 2-ranked Lleyton Hewitt, who lost to Federer in the semifinals.

Roddick said Federer might be the best player ever.

"You're not stretching far to make that argument," he said. "If he keeps up this level, then I think so. I don't know many people in history who would beat him."

At 22, Roddick said he isn't frustrated to have Federer, who is a year older, as a potential career nemesis.

"If you can't compete against the best and beat the best, then you don't deserve to win these titles," Roddick said. "And that's what I'm faced with right now."

It also doesn't help that Federer is one of the most popular players on tour.

"I've told him before 'I'd love to hate you, but you're really nice,'" Roddick said.

Roddick was asked if he had anything negative to say about Federer.

"Well, he cut his hair," Roddick said, referring to Federer's one-time ponytail. "That's all we had going for us before. If I said anything else, it would be out of jealousy or out of me wanting to win or out of spite."

Roddick still feels proud of reaching his third Grand Slam final.

"I'm not going to sit here and beat myself up about ... losing to a guy that everybody here is debating whether he's the best of all time or not," Roddick said. "I'm not going to ruin what I've accomplished just because he was better than me today."

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