SPORTS> Tennis
Serena turns down Roddick's 'rematch' demand
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-27 14:05

MELBOURNE - Serena Williams has rejected fellow American Andy Roddick's demand for a "rematch" as she continues to poke fun at her friend after making it public she beat him in a one-set contest when they were children.


Serena Williams of the U.S. returns to China's Peng Shuai during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 24, 2009.[Agencies] 

The pair faced off while training together in Florida and while both agree that Williams won the match, they differ on the score. Williams claims she cruised to a 6-1 victory while Roddick counters that it was a much closer 6-4.

When Williams told journalists at the Australian Open about her win, Roddick demanded a rematch to square the ledger but the women's second seed said she was not interested.


Andy Roddick of the U.S. lies on the court after diving for a shot during his match against France's Fabrice Santoro at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 23, 2009.[Agencies] 

"I don't think it's necessary to have a rematch. I won. I was clearly the better player," she said after winning through to the quarter-finals on Monday.

"The score absolutely speaks for itself. He always jokes 'rematch, rematch' but I don't even have time for a rematch."

DUMP TRUCKS

A day earlier, Roddick joined in the verbal sparring by claiming Williams only beat him because she was a year older and much bigger than he was at the time.

"When we were ten, I had to literally run around in the shower to get wet," he said. "She was bench pressing dump trucks already at that time."

A giggling Williams returned serve.

"Andy's always exaggerating. I was so small for my age. He was small too," she said.

"He just got jealous because my body was more fit and that my biceps are probably still bigger than his.

"Andy is incredibly jealous of me. I just don't know why (but) I can't blame him really."

Williams did pay tribute to Roddick for helping her out of a slump several years ago but could not resist one last friendly jibe at her pal.

"A couple years ago he wasn't playing his best tennis. The guy never gave up," she said.

"He was at every event, playing every tournament. He never lost confidence," Williams said.

"That actually motivated me at that point to do well. I was able to win some tournaments after watching his spirit and competitiveness.

"I never told him that, but he definitely did influence me to do better and to work harder... too bad he can't beat some women players."