Roger Federer: 'Got To Take The Losses. They're Part Of The Game'

After more than two decades on Tour, Roger Federer has learned to treat losses as the individual moments they are.

The third-seeded Swiss bowed out of the US Open on Tuesday after his five-set defeat to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. Federer didn’t hide his disappointment at a missed opportunity for a sixth US Opencrown and his first since 2008, but was quickly able to put the loss in perspective.

“Just disappointed it's over because I did feel like I was actually playing really well after a couple of rocky starts. It's just a missed opportunity to some extent that you're in the lead, you can get through, you have two days off after. It was looking good,” Federer said. “But got to take the losses. They're part of the game. Looking forward to family time and all that stuff, so... Life's all right.”

Occasional losses don't overshadow Federer's highlight-filled year. The 38-year-old clinched his 100th ATP Tour singles title this March at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (d. Tsitsipas), then followed it up with fourth Miami Open presented by Itau crown (d. Isner) and a 10th title at the NOVENTI OPEN (d. Goffin). Federer also held two championship points before falling in the Wimbledon final (l. to Djokovic), reached the Roland Garros semi-finals in his first trip to that event since 2015 and finished runner-up at the BNP Paribas Open (l. to Thiem).

Federer’s efforts led have to him qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals, held at the O2 in London from 10-18 November, for a record-extending 17th time. He’ll build up for the season-ending championships with a packed schedule of events, including next week’s Laver Cup before heading to Asia for the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The Swiss may need a day or two to shake off his loss to Dimitrov, but is optimistic that he can finish this season on a high note.

“I think it's still been a positive season,” Federer said. “Disappointing now, but I'll get back up, I'll be all right.”

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Roger Federer's U.S. Open curse continues as he falls short in the quarter-finals

Roger Federer has lost another 5 setter in a Grand Slam where he had a real shot to go all the way. But instead of the usual heartbreak, all I felt at first was overwhelming concern.

I knew the match was pretty much over the moment he called the physio on to court in the 4th set (because that's basically something that happens once in a blue moon).

As the night went on and I found out post match that his back was going to be a ok, my mind once again started lamenting another huge lost opportunity.

An opportunity which I honestly thought would be a long shot with Roger only having won a few matches on the hard courts of Cincinnati before heading to the U.S. Open. And things were not looking great through his first 2 night matches where he lost the opening sets.

But he started to make a believer out of me when he dealt with his next 2 opponents (during a day matches) with the standard ease that he produces at Grand Slams. So I and the rest of the world were pretty confident coming into the quarters, but none of us could have foreseen the turn of events that transpired. Events that even as I write this I'm still trying to get my head around.

The few reasons I've come up with is maybe he started thinking about it too much (with Djokovic out due to shoulder injury) and having a good H2H with all of his remaining opponents (including Nadal). Hell I'll admit I was guilty of thinking too far ahead as well, too excited for the prospect of a possible first time meeting between Fed and Rafa at the U.S. Open.

Perhaps that knowledge on some subconscious level made him tighten up in key moments. Whereas his opponent, just loosened up after losing the first set and went for broke seeing his opponent wasn't as sharp as he started off.

Maybe it was playing a night match, which seemed to be an achillies heel for him this tournament and he could not produce his best throughout. In his career night matches is what he lived for and dominated especially in New York, it was always day matches where he struggled more.

But this year it has been the complete reverse. He said the court felt slower at night and he really had trouble adjusting to that. So maybe that's a bit of a factor as well. But the deciding factor turned out to be that he tweaked something in his back, which when it has happened has always been debilitating.

Last time he had a back issue, he did not play well for a year and everyone started writing him off stating his age as usual. Which I have no doubt will get plenty of mentions this time around as well. It was very clear by the way he lost that 5th set that things were not right. So perhaps it was a combination of all of it, that contributed to this loss. But I guess we'll never really know for sure.

I would also just like to point out that Roger despite the fact he knew he had no shot of winning the 5th set (due to his body not co-operating) that unlike Djokovic, Federer did not retire and finished the match.

That ladies and gentleman is what we call class.

Unlike all his other 5 set losses this year (Wimbledon will stay with me for a long time to come) I came away from this one more able to look at the positives. Maybe it's because this was just a quarter final so it hurts a little less, but also because it seems like the injury is not serious which means the rest of the year can still end on a high.

And although Grand Slams have seen nothing but heartbreak for Roger in 2019 the year has not been a total loss. He did win titles in Dubai, Halle, and Miami. Reaching the mile stone of 102 career titles. The silver lining here is that as long as he stays healthy there's no reason why he won't be able to create the same opportunities for more Grand Slams in 2020.

With both Djokovic and now Federer out it's hard not to see this title belonging to anyone other than Rafa Nadal.

Just like Wimbledon it's the women's draw that's proving even more exciting and unpredictable. Of course everyone is hoping and expecting Serena to finally win her 24th, but I wouldn't be so sure. All the players left could definitely give her a challenge, and that's worth watching.

The Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu is having an amazing season, having won Indian Wells and Roger's Cup in Toronto and now battling for a spot in the semis of U.S. Open tonight.

Belinda Bencic continues to flourish as well. She beat Donna Vekic today to become the first Swiss woman since Martina Hingis in 2001 to reach the semis.

If Andreescu wins tonight that will make for a mouth watering women's semi-final.

On the other side of the draw you have Elina Svitolina who'll be playing Serena Williams.

Serena leads their H2H but Svitolina does have one win. All the ladies remaining have a win over Serena in fact so whoever makes it to the final it promises to be a good one. 

Roger Federer thrashes Goffin eases into U.S. Open quarters

Roger Federer played just two hard-court matches leading into this year’s US Open. But after dropping the opening set in each of his first two matches at Flushing Meadows, the five-time champion has found his rhythm in New York.

Third-seeded Federer defeated No. 15 seed David Goffin 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 after one hour and 19 minutes on Sunday to reach his 13th US Open quarter-final, tying former World No. 1 Andre Agassi for the second most in the Open Era. It is also his record-extending 56th trip to the last eight of a Grand Slam.

"Sometimes these scores just happen. You catch a good day, the opponent doesn't, then things happen very quickly. Maybe he struggled a bit early on," Federer said. "But I found my groove after a while and was able to roll, really. Never looked back."

Most US Open Quarter-finals (Open Era)

Jimmy Connors	17
Andre Agassi	13
Roger Federer	13
Ivan Lendl	12
Novak Djokovic	11*

*to play Sunday evening

No player has won the US Open after losing the first set in each of his first two rounds. But Federer has steadily improved his level as he continues chasing a 21st Grand Slam trophy. Against Goffin, the 102-time tour-level titlist crushed 35 winners and made only 17 unforced errors.

"David wasn't nearly as good as I expected him to be. He was struggling a little bit today," Federer said. "I was able to take advantage of it, and I think that's the key. In a fourth round like this, if you can keep it nice, short, simple, you have to take them. I'm very happy."

In the opening stages of the match, it seemed Goffin — who reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati — may challenge for his second FedEx ATP Head2Head victory against Federer after breaking for a 2-1 lead in the opening set. The Belgian had defeated the Swiss on a big stage before, doing so at the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals.

But Federer responded in a major way, immediately breaking back and during one stretch winning 18 of 20 points. It proved too difficult for Goffin to hold his serve throughout the match. The rallies were clearly on Federer's racquet, breaking on nine of his 10 opportunities and winning 60 per cent of his first-serve return points.

When Federer came to net, he was in strong position to do so, winning 19 of 23 points when he ventured to net. Goffin on the other hands did not able to enjoy the success, emerging victorious on just four of 11 trips forward. The 28-year-old also uncharacteristically made more than double the number of unforced errors (17) as he hit winners (8).

Federer lost six games in the first set of each of his first two matches this US Open. In the third round, he dropped five total games against Daniel Evans and against Goffin, the Swiss lost only four total games.

Federer will next face 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov or #NextGenATP Aussie Alex de Minaur, who is trying to reach his maiden major quarter-final.

Did You Know?

Federer's past two matches have been the fastest completed matches in the men's singles draw at this year's US Open. The Swiss beat Evans in one hour and 20 minutes before ousting Goffin in one hour and 19 minutes.

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At the time I write this Novak Djokovic retired against Stan Wawrinka with a shoulder injury down 2 sets and a break. 

Which means there will be no Federer/Djokovic semi. Instead it might be Wawrinka/Medvedev. Nobody saw this coming. 

And now Roger is going to play Grigor Dimitrov in the quarters (who's finding some form this U.S. Open).

Roger Federer rights the ship and wins in straights to reach U.S. Open 4th round

There was no slow start for Roger Federer on Friday, as the Swiss soared into the Round of 16 at the US Open.

After conceding the opening set in both his first and second round victories, Federer ensured those initial struggles were an anomaly. He ousted Daniel Evans 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 to open Day 5 on Arthur AsheStadium.

"Sometimes you just have to trust your team and your warm-up, everything you've done for so long," Federer told Brad Gilbert of ESPN. "Maybe also Danny wasn't feeling it today. He played yesterday so maybe that was a competitive advantage for me. But I was able to play beautiful tennis today under a beautiful sky.

"I definitely think this is playing much faster than at night and even indoors. That's the key to winning here and staying around, to adjust to wind, heat and humidity. It makes the ball travel differently and I was able to manage it well."

Federer was the stronger player from the baseline, with his forehand ripping through the court in perfect, sunny conditions. He triumphed after a mere one hour and 19 minutes, launching 48 winners, including 10 aces. Moreover, Federer won 80 per cent of first serve points and 70 per cent on his second delivery.

“I had spoken to the team and we just said… We’re not going to overplay in the beginning. Take care of your serves. If he can smash winners, that's too good,” Federer said in his post-match press conference. “Over time, I got very comfortable and very confident. It's a good feeling to have after the last couple of matches.”

The five-time champion (2004-08) is into the Round of 16 for the 18th consecutive year. He has not missed the second week of the US Open since his debut appearance in 2000. Federer improved to 88-13 overall at Flushing Meadows.

"I think what matters the most for me is that I am in the [fourth] round, after those two slow starts. Give myself another opportunity to do better, and I did,” Federer said. “You almost tend to forget what happened and you move forward.”

Evans admitted that was outgunned and outclassed. "Obviously I didn't play my best today, but he got on top of me early and it was difficult. I guess he has every shot, so it's not ideal to have an opponent that has every shot.

"I think he won 92%, I saw on the board, of his first serves, and that's not good for me. So I just couldn't get in his games, and getting up on the serve, he returned well when I got my serve in. But no free points was tough, as well."

Federer was on the front foot from the start, breaking for 4-2 behind a sublime drop volley winner and a blasted backhand pass. Showtime Federer was in full flow, leaping for a spinning overhead smash in the next game. And he would streak to an early lead in the second set, breaking to love in the fourth game.

It was a clinical performance from the Basel native. A wayward approach from Evans gave Federer a break to open the third set, and while the Brit would draw level in the next game, it wasn't enough. The 38-year-old did not allow his opponent to establish any rhythm, eventually crossing the finish line with a service winner.

Federer, who qualified for a 17th Nitto ATP Finals with a first-round victory over Sumit Nagal, also prevailed in four sets in a second-round win over Damir Dzumhur. Against Evans, he improved to 3-0 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head, defeating the Brit at three of the four Grand Slams. He also triumphed at Wimbledon in 2016 and earlier this year at the Australian Open.

The World No. 3 will next face 15th seed David Goffin, who beat 2017 semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 7-6(5), 7-6(9), 7-5. The Belgian hit 52 winners and won 76 per cent (19/25) of his trips to the net.

Goffin trails Federer 1-8 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series. Goffin recorded his lone victory two years ago during the semi-finals of the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals.

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Roger Federer overcomes another slow start in his 100th match at U.S. Open

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Third seed Roger Federer shook off a slow start against Damir Dzumhur in their second-round clash on Wednesday at the US Open, rounding into form to produce a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The Swiss, competing in his 100th US Open match (87-13), remained flawless in second-round matches in New York (19-0). Federer was made to work once again, having also dropped the opening set in his first-round clash on Monday against Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal. The five-time US Openchampion hadn't won from a set down in consecutive matches since 2014 Dubai (d. Djokovic and Berdych).

Dzumhur hadn’t taken a set off Federer in their two previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings, but the World No. 99 in the ATP Rankings was unawed by competing in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Swiss looked out of sorts in the early stages of the match, hitting eight winners to 17 unforced errors as Dzumhur raised his level in crucial moments.

"He was my idol. He was a person out of the court and on the court I was following... He was definitely, for me, the best player in tennis history," Dzumhur told ATPTour.com before his latest clash against Federer. “I just think that I have to get in the match to try to play good, to try to do what I was doing in practice... If I play a really good game, I can always make trouble for any player."

After pondering his form at the changeover, Federer came out in full flight to start the second set. Pinning Dzumhur to the baseline with increased pace on both wings, the Swiss leapt in the air after rifling a forehand winner to hold serve for a 4-1 lead. Three games later, a double fault from the Bosnian levelled the match after one hour of play.

The third-set scoreline didn’t reflect the numerous challenges posed to Federer throughout. Dzumhur held at least one game point in five of the nine games, but Federer continued to come up with the goods - a backhand passing shot in the second game, a cheeky drop shot in the fourth game and a forehand winner in the seventh game - to keep bringing the score back to deuce. The Swiss took a commanding lead with an ace, marking his 43rd total winner of the match.

Federer scored an early break at 1-1 in the fourth set and the slight advantage was all he needed. A strong first serve from the Swiss wrapped up the match after two hours and 21 minutes.

Next up for Federer is No. 25 seed Lucas Pouille of France or Brit Daniel Evans. Federer is 2-0 against both men in their respective FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalries and hasn't dropped a set to either player.

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Dropping the first set in 2 matches is worrisome for any Fed fan. But I'm still hoping it means he will improve as the week goes on.

Roger Federer overcomes a rusty slow start on opening night in New York

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Roger Federer did not get off to an ideal start to his pursuit of a sixth US Open title Monday evening. But the third seed won, and that's what counts.

The five-time champion rallied past Nagal 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 30 minutes, guaranteeing a record-extending 17th qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals, the season finale at which he has triumphed six times.

Federer has now won his first-round match in 62 straight major appearances, improving his US Open record to 86-13 as he begins chasing his first trophy in New York since 2008.

His opponent, Nagal, certainly took advantage of the opportunity in the biggest match of his career to date. The World No. 190 walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium Monday evening for his first Grand Slam main draw match without having ever earned a tour-level victory. But the 22-year-old showed little fear against Federer, who made 19 unforced errors in losing the first set.

But Nagal did not prove to have the weaponry to take the racquet out of Federer's hands. And once the Swiss found his range, he was a train rolling downhill on opening night at the year's final major.

After staving off three deuces in the first game of the second set, the 38-year-old battled hard to gain an advantage, converting his fourth break point of the next game to take the lead. Federer quickly extended his lead to 5-0, before clinching the 42-minute set when Nagal launched a forehand long.

Federer would break immediately in the next two sets, putting constant pressure on the qualifier, who told ATPTour.com before the match, "I've wanted this. I was telling my friends this yesterday. When people told me that Federer plays a qualifier, I was thinking how much I've always wanted this."

Nagal showed his fighting spirit in the fourth set, breaking back for 2-2 with an inside out forehand passing shot that blew past Federer at net. But this year's Dubai, Miami and Halle champion earned another break in the next game when the Indian missed an inside-out forehand wide, and he never looked back. Federer overcame four break points — including a 0/40 deficit — as he served for the match to move on.

The key proved to be Federer's pressure. Once he cut down his errors after the first set, he kept on top of Nagal, winning 33/50 net points compared to 7/17 for the qualifier.

Federer had lost a set in his first-round match at the US Open just once since 2003 (2017 vs. Tiafoe). The 20-time Grand Slam champion has not fallen in the opening round at a Grand Slam since 2003 Roland Garros.

Damir Dzumhur, who beat French qualifier Elliot Benchetrit 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-0, awaits in the next round. Federer will take confidence knowing he defeated the three-time ATP Tour champion in straight sets at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2015.

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I expected him to be rusty having only played a couple of hard court matches coming into this, but oh boy was he ever.

This is what we call winning ugly.

After his post match interview Roger said he played rusty much like his beard (which is more of a stubble really).

But I'm happy he's shaving it off for his next match.

He looks much better without it. And weirdly always plays better too.

After a performance like this, things can only improve.

Roger Federer could have a chance to avenge Djokovic Wimbledon loss at U.S. Open

Roger Federer has been drawn in the top half of the US Open draw, setting up a potential semi-final showdown with top seed Novak Djokovic. The Swiss will play a qualifier in the first round and could meet 15th seed David Goffin in the fourth round. He is seeded to meet former finalist Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic will play Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round and could play former champion Stan Wawrinka or Kevin Anderson in the fourth round.

Nadal opens his campaign against Australian John Millman, who last year stunned Roger Federer in the fourth round. Nadal could meet fellow Spanish lefty Fernando Verdasco in the third round and John Isner or former champion Marin Cilic in the fourth round.

For the second straight year, Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov will meet in the first round. Eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas opens against Russian Andrey Rublev, who upset Roger Federer last week in Cincinnati.

Federer won five consecutive US Opens from 2004-08 and built a 40-match winning streak at the event before his surprise defeat to Juan Martin del Potro in the 2009 final at Flush Meadows.

Djokovic is the defending champion and also won the US Open in 2011 and '15. Nadal is also a three-time US Open champion, taking the title in 2010, '13 and '17.

Speaking after his late-morning practice session with Dominic Thiem Federer told ESPN that he would be otherwise occupied when the draw is made. "I don't watch the draws, I don't like it," Federer said. "I'd rather just get through it and see where I fall. Players getting through to the quarters or the semis, that's really for you guys to debate. My focus really lies in the first couple of rounds."

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Not the worst draw he's ever had here that's for sure. If he gets past the first few rounds he could play his way into it. Despite only having played 2 matches on hard courts thus far.