During his playing career, American tennis star Andy Roddick spent the better part of a decade at the very top of the men’s game.The 34-year-old won 32 career titles, including the US Open back in 2003, which coincidently ended up being the American's solitary Grand Slam.It almost certainly would have been more for Roddick, but sadly for the American, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray were playing in the same era.Roddick lost to Swiss legend Roger Federer a grand total of 21 times, Andy Murray got the better of him eight times, Novak Djokovic managed to best the American four times, and Nadal beat the 34-year-old seven times.Ill-fated Roddick’s career may have been to be playing in and amongst some of the greatest players tennis have ever known, however, Roddick feels honoured to have been on the same court as them.As the 34-year-old was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, he said in his speech that he felt incredibly lucky to have been part of the golden era of the men’s game.“I can't believe the level of tennis that I got to see in my career,” the American explained.“The shots hit, the records that were broken, and the records that continue to be broken. Thanks to Murray, Novak, Roger and Rafa for playing the game at a higher level than it's ever been played.“The 'Big Four' guys really pissed me off most of the time but I'm absolutely proud to have my life and career associated with such quality individuals.“I got to guard Jordan, I went the distance with Ali, I pitched to Babe Ruth. I feel like I know what it must have been like to watch Picasso. I saw it all.“I've had a lot of coaches, that's what happens when you're not very talented.“I'm not the best of all-time. I'm not going to win Wimbledon. I'm not the best of my generation. I'm not the most well-behaved.“I'm not the most polished. I'm also never going to take this honour for granted. I'm never going to forget those who paved the way for us...“I may not be a lot of things, but from this day forward, I'll never be anything less than a Hall of Famer.“I thank you from the deepest parts of my heart.”You can watch Roddick giving his emotional speech below.

Scroll to 11:00 for the start of Roddick's speech

Roger Federer, who recently won Wimbledon for a record eighth time earlier this month, tweeted his congratulations to the 34-year-old American and to Belgian Kim Clijsters as the pair were inducted into the Hall of fame.