Tennis legend left feeling like 'smelly kid' after nearly losing Wimbledon membership in Royal Box appearance

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 06/07/2025

- 14:20

Andy Roddick won one Grand Slam and played in four other finals during his career

Andy Roddick has joked that he 'felt like the smelly kid in class' after turning up late to Wimbledon on Saturday.

The tennis legend appeared at the All England Club to watch Jannik Sinner, who cruised into the fourth round of the competition with a dominant victory over Pedro Martinez.


Roddick was sat in the Royal Box along with the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Geoff Hurst and Graeme Souness and joined by wife Brooklyn Decker.

Now, however, he's revealed that he feared losing his membership after being delayed due on the way in due to traffic.

Tennis Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick has joked that he 'felt like the smelly kid in class' after turning up late to Wimbledon on Saturday

GETTY

Speaking on his 'Served with Andy Roddick podcast,' he said: “I felt really like, I felt they started like announcing who all the people [who were attending].

"We were like late driving in, which is like a no, no.

"I literally got a text from Tim Henman, like, this is going to be a hell of a way to lose your membership. Sweet. Sweet, sweet. Cool, cool, cool."

Roddick then joked that he felt like a 'smelly kid' due to the other big names in attendance.

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"But we made it there just in time, but kind of flying blind, didn't know who all is around us," he added.

"And there were some badasses. And I felt like the smelly kid in class a little bit, like there were some pretty sweet athletes.”

Roddick won one Grand Slam during his career.

That was back in 2003 when he defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in three sets to etch his name into the history books.

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Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick was joined by wife Brooklyn Decker at Wimbledon on Saturday

Roddick also made three finals of Wimbledon, with Roger Federer beating him in 2004, 2005 and 2009 respectively.

That last final saw Federer overtake Pete Sampras on 15 Grand Slam titles, which was a record at the time.

Federer also overcame Roddick in the final of the US Open in 2006 when the Swiss maestro was operating at the peak of his powers.

Roddick had a brilliant career, claiming 32 singles titles.

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In 2009, after retiring, he called himself the 'most successful bad player ever'.

Roddick said: "I'm the most successful bad player ever. I used to hear a lot that all I could do was hit a serve, I couldn't volley, I can't hit a backhand, I don't return well, and then people would turn round and tell me I'm underachieving.

"Well, all I'd say is – you can't have it both ways. For a guy who can't hit a shot, I've done OK…"

Sinner, meanwhile, remains on course for Wimbledon glory.

Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick lost three Wimbledon finals to Roger Federer

PA

The 23-year-old, who has three majors to his name, will meet Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 16 on Monday.

Dimitrov qualified by beating Sebastian Ofner in three sets on Court 3.