Roddick - I am a contender

Roddick: Looking forward

I think if you were to pick five guys to win, I'd like to think of myself in those five.

Andy Roddick
Quotes of the week

Also see

• Full news wire
• Draws in full
• Player profiles
• Photo galleries

Big-serving American Andy Roddick is confident he has what it takes to win Wimbledon, but thinks Roger Federer is a deserved favourite.

Roddick lost to Federer in the final in 2004 and 2005, but he has struggled to recapture that kind of form in the tournament in the past two years.

He went out to Andy Murray in the third round in 2006, before losing in five sets to Richard Gasquet in the quarter-finals 12 months ago.

But the former world number one - believes he does have a chance.

As well as his two Wimbledon finals, he has shown his aptitude on grass by winning a record-equalling four Artois Championships at Queen's Club, where he reached the semi-finals last week.

The sixth seed said: "I think if you were to pick five guys to win, I'd like to think of myself in those five.

Grind out

"This year I've played some of the best stuff I have in the last couple of years when I've been on the court. I always feel like I'm going to be able to grind out matches, kind of figure out a way to win sometimes.

"But there have been times this year when I played very well so going into Wimbledon I probably feel a little bit better than the last couple of years.

"I haven't forgotten about that match against Gasquet last year. I haven't forgotten about the successes I've had on grass either. I think it all plays into it.

"It definitely left a sour taste in my mouth and I'm sure I'll think about it from time to time. But once you get out there it's not something that is in my thought process when I'm having breakfast in the morning."

Roddick does not agree with those that speculate that Federer will be reeling from his French Open thrashing by Nadal.

Legitimate favourite

Instead he believes the Swiss is a legitimate favourite to win a record sixth successive title.

Roddick added: "They're separate events. Playing the final on red clay against Nadal is not the same as playing on a grass court. It's just two entirely different things. And, if anything, it's going to hack him off to where he wants to prove everybody wrong.

"Maybe if he wins it six times people won't question him. People are sitting here saying, 'Can Roger win Wimbledon?' Yes he can, he's won it five times. I don't understand.

"I understand it makes a good story but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Roger's pretty mentally strong and is capable of overcoming a defeat to win a tennis tournament.

"He's still the favourite no matter how you look at it."