Roger Federer shocks Andy Roddick with Wimbledon return at SW19

Roger Federer stepped onto Wimbledon’s grass courts on Sunday, drawing a playful reaction from Andy Roddick during ESPN’s broadcast of the All England Club’s finals weekend. Roddick, working as a studio analyst and commentator, joked that he had seen enough of Federer at SW19 after Rece Davis showed a clip of the Swiss practicing.

What happened on air?

Roddick’s quip aired live on 13 July 2026 as Davis wrapped up the ESPN studio show. Davis played a clip of Federer hitting on Centre Court, prompting Roddick to joke about their four Wimbledon meetings. “Rece? What is this? This is the most passive aggressive look I’ve ever seen to end a show,” Roddick said. “When I’m sitting right here, Rece, I’ve seen enough of that guy at Wimbledon. No more.”

Why it matters for Roger Federer

Federer and Roddick met four times at Wimbledon, with the Swiss winning all four matches. Their first clash came in the 2003 semifinal, a 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-3 win for Federer. The Swiss then beat Roddick in the 2004, 2005, and 2009 finals. Roddick’s joke underscored Federer’s enduring presence in Wimbledon lore, even years after his final major final in 2019.

What Roddick said about facing Federer

In April 2026, Roddick reflected on his rivalry with Federer during his Andy Roddick’s Served Media podcast. He explained why neutral positions favored his rivals. “So the thing where I would get exposed against the greatest players is that once we were neutral, when I was neutral against most players, I felt kind of comfortable,” Roddick said. “I could play a cat and mouse, I could hit a chip. I basically could get the ball out of their hot spots.”

He added that neutral rallies against Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray left him behind. Roddick tried charging the net and staying back against Federer. “Actually the last Wimbledon final I lost. That was maybe the only match we ever played where I felt comfortable in backhand rallies.”

Where to watch next

Roddick made his debut as an ESPN commentator during Wimbledon 2026, calling the men’s final between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. His lighthearted take on Federer’s practice session became the breakout moment of the broadcast.