Andy Roddick Jokes He's 'Not Greedy' Like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer: 'Only Wanted One More' Grand Slam (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal.Photo:Julien M. Hekimian/Getty , Rob Kim/Getty, Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty

Julien M. Hekimian/Getty , Rob Kim/Getty, Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty

Andy Roddickhas no career regrets that keep him awake — except for the Wimbledon title that got away.In a retrospective look at his decorated tennis résumé, the 42-year-old former athlete confesses to PEOPLE that if he could have won any match, it would have been one of his three Wimbledon finals. All three times, he fell toRoger Federerin the championship match. Most notably, the two played a five-set thriller in 2009 that resulted in a nail-biting victory for Federer, now 43.“I would’ve been happier, have no regrets. I’m not greedy like the rest of these guys, likeRafa [Nadal]and Roger. AndNovak [Djokovic],” Roddick jokes. “I only wanted one more. If I could have won two more points at Wimbledon, I think I would think backwards a lot less.”Despite a few strategic regrets, he says he’s “proud” of his 12-year career, which includes a US Open title and 13 weeks as the World No. 1.“I rest well at night,” the tennis star affirms.Roger Federer and Andy Roddick after the men’s final at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships on July 5 in London.AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS via GettyRoddick notes that because he was diligent about waking up and putting in the work — even on days where he wasn’t feeling 100% — it “makes the tennis afterlife a little bit easier.”After retiring in 2012, Roddick withdrew from the tennis world to spend quality time with his wife,Brooklyn Decker, and their two children, 9-year-old Hank and 6-year-old Stevie. But at the beginning of 2024, he launched theServed with Andy Roddickpodcast, which also airs on the Tennis Channel.The podcast sees Roddick’s skill at analyzing the game on full display. In one episode, he details why Novak Djokovic’s list of accomplishments and style of play puts him on top in the debate for “the greatest of all-time.”Andy Roddick gives Novak Djokovic the 2023 US Open trophy in New York City on Sept. 10.Tim Clayton/Corbis via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.As for why tennis fans have historically preferred Nadal, 38, or Federer, he explains to PEOPLE, “There’s a certain thing where someone comes and breaks up the Beatles. I think we were in love with this rivalry with Rafa and Roger, and then this guy came in and was brash enough to say, ‘You know what? I’m going to break it up and I’m going pursue being better.’ “Roddick continues, “We kind of like it when everything fits comfortably. And [Novak] certainly broke that up, and he made no apologies for it.”

Andy Roddickhas no career regrets that keep him awake — except for the Wimbledon title that got away.

In a retrospective look at his decorated tennis résumé, the 42-year-old former athlete confesses to PEOPLE that if he could have won any match, it would have been one of his three Wimbledon finals. All three times, he fell toRoger Federerin the championship match. Most notably, the two played a five-set thriller in 2009 that resulted in a nail-biting victory for Federer, now 43.

“I would’ve been happier, have no regrets. I’m not greedy like the rest of these guys, likeRafa [Nadal]and Roger. AndNovak [Djokovic],” Roddick jokes. “I only wanted one more. If I could have won two more points at Wimbledon, I think I would think backwards a lot less.”

Despite a few strategic regrets, he says he’s “proud” of his 12-year career, which includes a US Open title and 13 weeks as the World No. 1.

“I rest well at night,” the tennis star affirms.

Roger Federer and Andy Roddick after the men’s final at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships on July 5 in London.AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty

AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty

Roddick notes that because he was diligent about waking up and putting in the work — even on days where he wasn’t feeling 100% — it “makes the tennis afterlife a little bit easier.”

After retiring in 2012, Roddick withdrew from the tennis world to spend quality time with his wife,Brooklyn Decker, and their two children, 9-year-old Hank and 6-year-old Stevie. But at the beginning of 2024, he launched theServed with Andy Roddickpodcast, which also airs on the Tennis Channel.

The podcast sees Roddick’s skill at analyzing the game on full display. In one episode, he details why Novak Djokovic’s list of accomplishments and style of play puts him on top in the debate for “the greatest of all-time.”

Andy Roddick gives Novak Djokovic the 2023 US Open trophy in New York City on Sept. 10.Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty

Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As for why tennis fans have historically preferred Nadal, 38, or Federer, he explains to PEOPLE, “There’s a certain thing where someone comes and breaks up the Beatles. I think we were in love with this rivalry with Rafa and Roger, and then this guy came in and was brash enough to say, ‘You know what? I’m going to break it up and I’m going pursue being better.’ “

Roddick continues, “We kind of like it when everything fits comfortably. And [Novak] certainly broke that up, and he made no apologies for it.”

source: people.com