Andy Roddick was forced to settle for the Wimbledon runner's-up prize on three occasions © Getty Images Enlarge

Roger Federer paid tribute to Andy Roddick and said he would always remember the former world No. 1 as a Wimbledon champion.

Roddick announced on Thursday, his 30th birthday, that the US Open would be his last tournament.

Roddick won his only major at Flushing Meadows in 2003, but fell agonisingly short of adding the Wimbledon title to his trophy cabinet after he was denied on three occasions by Federer.

Federer beat Roddick in the 2004, 2005 and 2009 finals at the All England Club, but the Swiss believes Roddick deserved to win the grass court grand slam.

"He could have gotten that title," Federer said after his 6-2 6-3 6-2 win over Bjorn Phau. "That's what I said about him in 2009. He deserves this title as well. In my mind, he is a Wimbledon champion, a wonderful ambassador for the game.

"I am thankful for everything he has done in the sport here in America. It's not been easy after [Andre] Agassi, [Pete] Sampras, [Jim] Courier, [Michael] Chang, [Jimmy] Connors, [John] McEnroe, you name them.

"It's been hard for him at times but I thought he always did the best he could. That's all you can ask for from a guy like Andy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.