Though he enjoyed a fantastic career in tennis, one has to wonder how much more Andy Roddick could have achieved had he not been competing in arguably the toughest era the sport has ever seen.
Roddick, a former world number one and major champion, was faced with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray en route to big titles for the majority of his time on the tour.
The American managed to secure the US Open title in 2003, but was denied in four Grand Slam finals and five semifinals.
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The ‘big four’ were the toughest competition for Roddick, however several other stars also caused him problems along the way; namely Juan Martin Del Potro and Lleyton Hewitt.
In a recent episode of ‘Served‘, the 43-year-old reflected on his battles with Del Potro and Hewitt.
Andy Roddick discusses Juan Martin Del Potro and Lleyton Hewitt
Roddick said: “Hewitt, I’ve said, like, I’m effusive. Now, I think we ended up the same, seven and seven, I lost a bunch early, and then won some later.
“One of the most stressful players that I’ll ever play just because he made you stay there mentally and physically every time you knew he was not going away. You had to beat him. He was never gonna go away. Like, so he was unbelievable.
“Talent wise, like, in our generation, the person who probably matched the Big Three talent wise, you know, but, he would tell you not like, not the discipline, you know he’s like the coolest person alive, is Safin.
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“He was like, the first one of those, people like ‘Oh, you know, the first one who is tall and moved. I’m like, ‘No, no, I’d like a word, please. No, no, we had one. Safin, 6’4, 6’5, and, like, could run like he could, and they had the talent in his hands. And, you know, he would beat them sometimes.
“Del Potro? Like, you want to talk about what could have been? Like, and I saw him a couple weeks ago in Brazil, but, like, they didn’t want to play him. That wasn’t fun for them. He beat them.
“Del Potro is an animal. I hope nobody ever, ever, ever forgets how good Del Potro is, was. He won a slam, but, you know, his level was like, obviously not the big three, but, like, if you’re talking Wawrinka or like… I mean, he’s that guy, for sure.
“Like, no one should ever forget about how good he was. 6’7 too by the way. Animal.”
Andy Roddick’s record against Juan Martin Del Potro and Lleyton Hewitt
Roddick faced Hewitt 14 times on the ATP Tour, and the two finished their careers with the head-to-head split seven apiece.
Hewitt was dominant in the beginning of their rivalry, winning six of their first seven clashes, three of which came at Grand Slams.
Having clinched his first win over the Australian at Queen’s Club in 2004, Roddick kick-started a winning streak against Hewitt in 2005.
He beat him six times in a row, triumphing in Cincinnati, the US Open, Memphis twice, Queen’s and Wimbledon.
Their last bout went the way of Hewitt at the 2012 Australian Open, where Roddick was forced to retire due to injury.
Roddick enjoyed far less joy against Del Potro, however, having only picked up one win over the Argentine.
Del Potro led Roddick 4-1 in their head-to-head, with the latter’s sole victory coming in Memphis during the 2011 season.
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