“Maybe he was the first player in history to do that”

He stated that the Swiss was perhaps the first player in history to be both the best offensive and defensive player. He may have been the first person in history to be both the best offensive and defensive player

Andy Roddick: “Federer was simultaneously the best offensive and defensive player”

For many, Roger Federer is the greatest player in the history of tennis. However, there is one quality about him that has often gone unnoticed, at least in Andy Roddick's opinion. “He may have been the first person in history to be both the best offensive and defensive player in his prime.”he said on his podcast, “Served,” according to puntodebreak.com.

The former world leader called the Swiss magician a pioneer in this field, adding: “Then obviously Novak and Rafa followed, and they all reached that level, and now Carlos and Sinner, at least in men's tennis”.

Roddick was also asked about his tactical approach against Federer.

“The thing that exposed me against the bigger players was that I was kind of comfortable. When I got to neutral against Fed, Rafa, Novak, Murray, I was actually behind. So you're trying to play from a position where you're not completely neutral all the time.

I tried to go against him a lot. I tried to sit in the back many times. In fact, the last Wimbledon final (No. 2009) I lost… That was maybe the only match I've ever played where I felt comfortable in the lapel exchanges“, added the former ATP leader.

• The two have met 24 times in official ATP matches, with Federer winning 21 duels.

• Andy Roddic has only one Grand Slam title in his record (US Open 2013). He was runner-up at four other major tournaments (Wimbledon in 2004, 2005 and 2009 and the US Open in 2006), losing each time to his rival Roger Federer.