Roddick's return tell: “Federer pulled the string on me for 12 years.”

Perhaps no one understands the feelings of helplessness and frustration from playing Roger Federer better than Andy Roddick. Federer owns a 21-3 head-to-head record against the American, including an 0-4 mark in Grand Slam finals. Now, we know at least one reason why their match history was so lopsided.

On Wednesday’s edition of Tennis Channel Live, Roddick revealed that, unbeknownst to him, Federer had his number in more ways than one.

“For a while, anytime I would try and run around a second serve, I would always pick the wrong time.

“I guess I popped up a quarter-second too early to accept a backhand return, and Roger knew it. He pulled the string on me for 12 years.”

When asked what it was like facing Federer in his three Wimbledon finals, Roddick responded bluntly.

“It was depressing at times,” he said. “In his prime he could serve and volley, play great defense, and he passed exceptionally well,” he said. “You felt like you had to make a decision, but none of them were good ones.

“His ability to accept my pace and make a ton of returns was so frustrating.”

Perhaps no video better describes Roddick’s uphill battle against Federer’s immaculate return than this clip, from their 2007 US Open quarterfinal.

Once Roddick finally figured out that he was giving away his second-serve return strategy, he adjusted—and had the last laugh. In their final meeting, Roddick defeated Federer in three sets at the 2012 Miami Open.

“Someone let it slip somewhere along the line,” Roddick said about his tell. “The last couple times I played him I was cranking second-serve returns. There was this moment I got ahold of three or four in a row and Roger gave me a look as to say ‘Oh, you finally know now.’

“Yea, I am the dummy that took 12 years to figure it out.”