Andy Roddick has plenty of reasons to be sick to death of Roger Federer.
The American lost in last year's Wimbledon final to the Swiss world number one and the previous year Federer beat him in the semi-finals.
| |||||||||||
"His play speaks for itself," said Roddick, who faces Sweden's Thomas Johansson in the last four on Friday.
"He's probably the most talented person to ever carry a racquet around -- the shots that he can come up with, the way he's kind of become a totally complete player."
"But I think off the court, it's huge. There have been a lot of good champions, but he's just classy. He is never high and mighty in the locker room or anything like that.
"He treats people with respect, even if it's the locker room attendants or the people serving food or anything.
"He says 'please' and 'thank you.' I think that's why he's so well respected and so well liked on tour.
"There's not a whole lot of animosity towards him, even though he has been that successful."
Federer, who is seeking a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles, plays Australian third seed Lleyton Hewitt in his semi-final match on Friday.
NO FRIENDS
Despite his respect for the Swiss, Roddick believes it will not be a factor should they meet again in the Wimbledon final on Sunday.
"I think you check [leave] your personal feelings for someone at the door," he added.
"Whether you like someone or whether you're friends with someone doesn't or shouldn't really affect how you do on the court.
"It's understood that when you go on to the court, you know, there are no friends inside the lines.
"Afterwards you can hang out and be friendly, do all that stuff, but you're trying to beat each other's brains in when you're out there."
More from rediff