Roger Federer - his seven most bitter defeats
20 titles in Grand Slam tournaments, 310 weeks at number one in the ATP world rankings - Roger Federer leads the two most important statistics in men's tennis. Nevertheless, the Swiss suffered a difficult digestible slump during his career.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Apr 07, 2020, 09:44 am
Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000: Federer vs. di Pasquale 6: 7 (5), 7: 6 (7), 3: 6
At just under 19, Federer wanted to take home at least a bronze medal from Sydney. Arnaud di Pasquale had three other ideas in the match for third place - and initiated something like an Olympic whimsy in the individual for Federer, who lost out in 2004 against Tomas Berdych in Athens and against James Blake in Beijing in 2008 (but in China with Stan at least) Wawrinka won gold in doubles). The single medal should only work in London in 2012 - there Federer was defeated by Andy Murray in the final, but he had already secured the precious metal with the marathon victory against Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals.
ATP Finals, Shanghai, 2005: Federer vs. Nalbandian 7: 6 (4), 7: 6 (11), 2: 6, 1: 6, 6: 7 (3)
So much for momentum: after winning the epic tie break in the second set, much would have indicated that Federer was now on the winning streak against David Nalbandian, as in the preliminary round when the Swiss won the encounter with the Argentine in three sets. Nalbandian, however, one of Federer's early fear opponents, got rounds three and four quickly and looked like the sure winner at 4-0 in the fifth set. Federer not only managed to equalize, but also served the win at 6: 5 - and had to give up in the end.
Wimbledon, final, 2008: Federer vs. Nadal 4: 6, 4: 6, 7: 6 (5), 7: 6 (8), 7: 9
Admittedly, Federer could have lost this match, about which the American author Jon Wertheim thought it was one of the best, if not the best, ever, much earlier, for example in the fourth set. Roger Federer had to nibble on the fact that he was able to fight his way into a decisive fifth round, only to congratulate his greatest rival in the darkness and five successive triumphs in Wimbledon by then.
Australian Open, Finale, 2009: Federer vs. Nadal 5: 7, 6: 3, 6: 7 (3), 6: 3, 2: 6
As a teenager, Roger Federer had let his emotions run wild on the court, but had found an increasingly professional approach with increasing age. After the defeat against Nadal in Melbourne in 2009, however, tears of disappointment flowed at the maestro at the award ceremony - because he loved sports (and certainly also winning) so much. Back then, who would have thought that Federer would return revenge to Nadal in the fifth set in the fifth set eight years later in the Australian Open final?
US Open, Finale, 2009: Federer vs. del Potro 6: 3, 6: 7 (5), 6: 4, 6: 7 (4), 2: 6
Earlier in the year, Federer had defeated Juan Martin del Potro in five sets on the way to the first and only success at the French Open, and much seemed to indicate this in New York as well. Then, however, Federer, who had won the tournament five times in a row between 2004 and 2008, was put out of rhythm by a (from his point of view too late) challenge from del Potro, the Argentine was able to assert himself quite clearly in the fifth set. As with the only other argument at the US Open in the quarter-finals 2017.
US Open, semi-finals, 2011: Federer vs. Djokovic 7: 6 (4), 6: 4, 2: 6, 3: 6, 5: 7
Everything seemed done for the first ever meeting between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the US Open. Even if the Swiss briefly let the reins slip after 2-0 set lead against Novak Djokovic, everything should go well for Federer at the score of 5: 4 - after all, he had a 40:15 lead on his own serve. Djokovic nailed the return on the first match ball against Federer into the field, but did not look back afterwards. And tennis fans are still waiting for an encounter between Nadal and Federer at the National Tennis Center in New York City.
Wimbledon, final, 2019: Federer vs. Djokovic 6: 7 (5), 6: 1, 6: 7 (4), 6: 4, 12:13 (3)
The last big blow to the neck for Federer so far, who was able to earn two match balls in the fifth set on his own serve - and could not use these two points with unclean footwork and the second chance with a half-hearted attack. Djokovic stayed cool, especially in the three tie breaks, which he basically flawlessly played while Federer showed nerves.