Top 5 most difficult Fed losses

Just want to see what people's opinions on this are and how they compares to mine. I suppose the title might sound negative but many of these were good matches, especially if you were a fan of the other player. (I would have included Fed vs Nadal Rome 2006 somewhere around 3 or 4 as Fed had match points and this match, it has been said, set the tone for their rivalry but I didn't see the match so I couldn't really be gutted.) Anyway here goes:

#5 Wimbledon 2008 Final to Nadal
This match was probably the most historic match up in their career with Fed going for a record 6 in a row to surpass Borg. I remember Fed getting broken in the first game of the match and losing the set on a backhand error (might have been the second though). In the second set he managed to throw away a 4-1 lead. Not only was his backhand misfiring like crazy but his forehand was missing at a lot of the crucial times. Nadal's level was also higher than I was expecting and he was hitting some great shots and his backhand was better than I've ever seen. The rain delay helped Fed and when he levelled to 2-2 sets, I felt there was hope. He managed to come within two points of winning the match but couldn't string enough points together. As a fan it felt like he only showed up on championship points. The match gave the impression at the end that it could have gone either way but Nadal looked the stronger player that day. In the end it was Nadal that made history that day and it was a great achievement for him. I kind of figured once Federer returned order would be resumed so maybe it wasn't such a big deal.

#4 USO 2012 Quarters to Berdych
After Feds amazing performances at Wimbledon, the Olympics and Cincinatti (won without dropping serve and bagelled Djokovic in the final) I hoped he would reach the finals or at least the semis of this tournament. The match itself was on late where I was so after catching a few points and seeing which Fed had shown up, I confidently predicted he would lose and got some sleep. Past experience and better judgement would have suggested that this shouldn't have been so surprising but it's always tempting to believe he's back to his old level permanently especially after a good run at 3 tournaments. What makes this even worse is that Fed losing to Berdych is a bit like Nadal losing to Soderling.

#3 AO 2009 Final to Nadal
On paper this match should have been Feds pretty easily as Nadal was "no good on hardcourts". Indeed Nadal had a long semi as well leading into this match. Feds level was higher than at Wimbledon; he actually won a set serving at something like 33%. In the end I think that's what let him down as even with his groundstrokes, he wasn't going to be hitting through Nadal enough without his serve on his side as well. I think Nadal was more aggressive in his Wimbledon match than in this one and a lot of his highlights I remember were him retrieving Feds winners into an open court. This match was very winnable for Fed, his final set collapse was almost inexplicable and his reaction after the match left a lot to be desired. A good win for Nadal. That was probably Feds last chance to beat him in a slam.

#2 FO 2011 Final to Nadal
Fed had just ended Djokovic's amazing streak in an equally amazing match. He was visibly emotional about it at the end. It still meant so much to him. The match began great for him and it looked like there was hope as he had set point at 5-2. Instead of blasting his backhand crosscourt which had been working for him the whole set, he went for a crazy dropshot which he missed by about a millimeter. And with that in the same typical fashion as so many times before, the set was gone as he failed to serve it out and went on to lose 5 games in a row. What was remarkable about this match though is how high Fed's level was throughout. He was hitting the great shots I recognised him for and his backhand was holding up. He was playing so well that I would have given him about a 40% chance of winning that match especially as he managed to take the 3rd set after being to sets to love down and each of the first 3 sets was close. I dared to believe that would be the day, others have mentioned about worthier slams and although I don't subscribe to that theory, this would have been a very satisfying win to say the least. Anyhow it wasn't to be and Nadal pulled off a great win to equal Borg.

#1 USO 2009 Final to Del Potro
This match is only really the most difficult in hindsight. Again Fed was at the stage where he was always playing for history, this time again 6 in a row. The match itself until the end of the second set looked like what should have been a routine win for Fed. The level he brought was great, everything about his game was working and Del Potro perhaps started slow as he was lucky not to have lost the first set 6-2. As has been mentioned before something made Fed angry and he changed his tactics but somehow lost precision at the same time. Del Potro at the same time managed to gain momentum and started hitting some of those rocket forehands everyones still waiting to see. But still, going by his record against Del Potro past and future, it's hard to believe he lost this match. Afterwards Del Potro was really happy about his first slam and you couldn't help but feel happy for him too. Even Fed, it seemed, had learned to lose with a bit more elegance and was happy for Del Potro.

It's more what happened in the next slam that makes this the most difficult loss. Fed won the AO so convincingly and, had he come through that match against Del Potro, would have achieved what only Nadal had stopped him doing on several occasions. Whereas Nadal had always caused Fed difficulties, Del Potro poses much less of a matchup issue conversely any matchup issue actually favours Fed. Here I think he missed the best opportunity any player has had for doing the GS.

I'd probably include being up on Djoko at the USO open match points and losing in 2011 high up that list. He didn't look too happy in the immediate on court interview, and didn't like to be immortalized by "the shot" this time on the receiving end of someone else's brilliance.

This was more my point of view and not necessarily Fed's but point taken nonetheless. I actually don't mind when Djokovic beats Fed because I'm left with the feeling that he actually beat him.

Where is Rome 2006? or AO 2005 (Safin)? or TMC 2005 (would have equalled McEnroe's 82-3)?

Great article Bit5 and well researched too! There are quite a few to pick from...many involving Nadal of course.

I'd like to put forward a couple of matches that potentially cost Federer early slams and then another 3 that must still hurt when he thinks back.

1. 2004 3rd round French Open vs Kuerten
He was #1 seed and already hugely adept on clay - he'd already won 3 clay titles and beaten Coria in 4 sets in the final of Hamburg Masters the month before RG'04. He just didn't deliver on the day and didn't really know why himself except that his footing wasnt good (!). Had he won this match I'd have favoured him to win battles vs Nalby and Gaudio. He could have completed the career slam as earlier as 2004 - and even done the Grand Slam that year given he won the other 3 slams. This for me is the one that really got away...

2. 2005 SF Australian Open vs Safin
9-7 in the 5th set to Safin - ouch!!!
This is also painful because he should have won it in the 4th set TB.
He was 5-2 up in the TB but allowed Safin to come back to 5-5. Then he got to MP at 6-5. However, on this point he simply - and unusually for him - played the wrong shot when he was lobbed, he had time to turn and attempt a proper groundstroke but instead he chose to hit a trick shot through his legs that landed halfway up the net. On MP you have to make the brittle Safin play a shot! That cost Federer big because he got blisters in the 5th set.
NB: Safin had ex-Federer coach Lundgren in his corner that yet.

3. 2006 Rome final vs Nadal
Lost 7-6 in the 5th set. This was another one that got away...he was leading 4-1 in the final set. Then at 6-5 he had 2MPs...but squandered both with missed FHs he should have made. Ouch!

4. 2005 WTF final vs Nalbandian
He lost this in the final set TB in the 5th. During the match after going 2-0 sets up Fed very unusually had to call the trainer on in the 4th set so it looked to be not his day - he was nursing injury coming into the event. Then in the 5th set he went 0-4 down. Game over. But Fed dug deep and clawed back to 4-4. In the 11th game he broke for 6-5 to serve for the match - and went 30-0 up. Surely 2005 WTF was his? No...Nalbandian somehow took the game and then swept the TB. Ouch!

5. 2006 Final French Open vs Nadal
Ok Nadal won in 4 sets...but what a 4th set. Nadal took it on the TB 7-4.
Had Federer closed that set out anything could have happened in the 5th considering Fed had MPs vs Nadal the month previous at Rome in the 5th.

The 2006 clay season was a painful time for Federer because he lost 3 very close matches to Nadal.
MC in the 4th set TB
Rome (as above) in the 5th set TB
RG (as above) in the 4th set TB.

Of all the matches with Nadal I'd rate Rome 2006 as their best match, better than even Wimb 2008.

Can I suggest we consider Nadal, Djokovic and others in building a similar list, even though they are not close to retirement, yet...?

Actually Fed don't mind taking most of those losses barring the Wim 2008 and to some extent AO 2009

5] FO 2006, He had Nadal nailed in the first set yet could not win the match in spite of playing so brilliant, a few lucky point on crucial moments could have won him the match.

4]AO 2009 , was a disaster to take since Nadal proved better than him against him in 2 different courts he good at and Nadal not so good at.

3]WTF ./2005 [if I am right][forgot the year] against Nalbandian , the 5th set loss, Fed played great yet lost, Fed eventhough had great respect for Nalby never like to lose to him that too close matches. and could have easily equalled Mac's record.

2]Rome 2006 , how on earth he could take that defeat? played stunning against Clay GOD yet came up short , that was a shot in his ego, had he some how pulled that match things might have been completely different in his career.

1]WIMBLEDON 2008 - had he won this it could have been 7 Wimbledon's in a row [considering he won 2009], which might have put him as the Grass GOD, unfortunately he lost after staging one of the best fight backs seen in the history of the game, this was too tough a loss to digest, Fed would forgive himself for every other defeat but not this one, he has slowly recovered thou, but believe me this defeated would have haunted him the most.

Del Po 2009, he didn't even take it serious, he felt he lose to a nice guy, Djoko 2010 and 2011 semi's again he wasn't that worried coz he had no intentions of facing Nadal in USO finals and complete a career of GS losses to a rival, so partly he was happy with the loss too, coz I don't think so he would have had a chance against Rampant Nadal in those 2 years specifically after playing 5 sets against Djoko the day before.

USO2009 was a bad loss. For some reason decided to try to out-ralley Delpo, and it just didn't happen. Fed has done that a few times in his career...sticking to a baseline game when he should have mixed it up more. His refusal to change gameplan vs Nadal hurt him for a long time and allowed Nadal to really get inside his head during those 2006-9 years.

Also, had he not thrown that USO'09 match vs Delpo he would have held all 4 slams simultaneously given he won AO'10.

IC, I have to disagree with Fed having no intention of winning those matches against Djoko - he got to match point and hit a serve he probably thought would be an ace - not exactly the actions of a man with no intention of winning.

Agree with JHM there, Federer always wants to win a match...better to lose a final than a semi surely no matter who its against.

I wonder how much Fed regrets his stubborn streak. He must be aware of it. Would he rather lose playing a particular way than win by compromising that? It would seem rather odd, but in the heat of battle against, say, Delpo, did something inside him (consciously or subconciously) say "Right, I'll either beat him at his own game, or not at all"?
And when it finished did he think to himself "Damn, what makes me do that, I blew that big time" or "Oh well, I guess it didn't work that time, let's move on"?

Federer has a massive stubborn streak in him...its why he went without coaches for a long period of his career. He's also quite narcissistic so doesnt take advice on board particularly well either, I think for many years he simply felt he knew better. These traits were part of what made him very strong generally but they were also what made him weak later on when he met more guys who could live with him at the baseline. I think he finally realised "his way" wasnt working anymore towards the end of 2009 and decided a change of approach was going to be needed away from the baseline. So he took Annacone on board in 2010 and started to change his gameplans, and became much more of an allcourt player again - leading to sustained success again.

I would say having either no coach, or the wrong coach during those "stubborn" years harmed his success rate against Nadal earlier on. Whether Annacone could have made a difference back then is debatable but looking back surely it wouldn't have harmed rather than working with a clay specialist like Higueras who simply tried to fight clay/baseline fire with more fire.

JuliusHMarx wrote:IC, I have to disagree with Fed having no intention of winning those matches against Djoko - he got to match point and hit a serve he probably thought would be an ace - not exactly the actions of a man with no intention of winning.

Fed wanted to win those matches for sure, but he would have surely had the fear of facing Nadal in the finals, so my point is that loss would not have hurt him badly like the other ones, had it been Murray waiting in the finals it might have been a complete different story.

lydian wrote:Federer has a massive stubborn streak in him...its why he went without coaches for a long period of his career. He's also quite narcissistic so doesnt take advice on board particularly well either, I think for many years he simply felt he knew better.

Actually well put forward , but thats the exact reason why he won 17 slams and why he didn't win more than 17 slams by now, that atttitude that I am the best and I make the best decision made him succeed also let to his failures, I rather like to see people with attitude and belief than none, thats one of the reason I like Nadal too, indeed all top 4 more or less have it in them.

The two defeats he's appeared to take the hardest were AO 09 (the tears) and USO 11 (the tetchiness post match).

The USO 11 must have been particularly hard because he imploded. For all the talk of 'The Shot', all that did was bring the score to 5-3 40-30. He was still serving for the match. But he lost his way totally, got broken (double faulting on break point) and lost the next 3 games.

For the AO he said later on that he was OK about the loss immediately after the match, but then when he came to speak, the crowd cheering him as a hero, despite losing, caused him to choke up.

Good point HMM. He seemed to mentally fold after that point. Its like it was an affront to how the game should be played in his regard. He hardly won another point after THAT shot.

Yep JHM...and you have to respect the classiness of Nadal in the way he also tried to help Federer through that 2009 loss when on stage with the trophy (even though it was Nadal's first HC slam). Nadal was also subdued after the FO'08 win.

lydian wrote:Good point HMM. He seemed to mentally fold after that point. Its like it was an affront to how the game should be played in his regard. He hardly won another point after THAT shot.

It's not the first time either - he does seem to have difficulty creating second chances after losing match points. If he has any mental weakness, it's that specific scenario IMO.

btw feds fo final loss was in 2011 not 2012.

LuvSports! wrote:btw feds fo final loss was in 2011 not 2012.

He's lost so many FO finals, we lose track

lydian wrote:Good point HMM. He seemed to mentally fold after that point. Its like it was an affront to how the game should be played in his regard. He hardly won another point after THAT shot.

I wonder if part of it was also that the the crowd started getting behind Djokovic. They were very pro-Federer until that point but, after Novak made his little appeal to them after that shot, he got loads of support back.

To hear the biggest crowd in tennis suddenly giving loads of support to your opponent must be a weird atmosphere to play your best tennis in. Especially for Fed who is the crowd favourite at virtually every tournament he enters!

These ones may not be considered career-limiting, but Ancic (W) and Horna(RG) and Nalbandian(USO) should be mentioned as well.

LuvSports! wrote:btw feds fo final loss was in 2011 not 2012.

Thanks. Actually tried to post this article yesterday but it asked me to login when I hit send and I lost it all. I'm pretty sure I had it right there

Maybe HMM...having a narcissistic trait might mean he wouldn't like people turning away from him perhaps. He was also prone to panicing early in his career and needed sports psychology to get over it...I wonder if it sometimes flares up when unusual things like that happen on a court? He certainly seemed to get stopped in his tracks after that shot...being the weird game tennis is, Djokovic then played like a man with nothing to lose - a kind of double whammy.

sorry good article though!

HM Murdoch wrote:The two defeats he's appeared to take the hardest were AO 09 (the tears) and USO 11 (the tetchiness post match).

The USO 11 must have been particularly hard because he imploded. For all the talk of 'The Shot', all that did was bring the score to 5-3 40-30. He was still serving for the match. But he lost his way totally, got broken (double faulting on break point) and lost the next 3 games.

I saw an interview where fed said that the delpo loss in 2009 was harder than the two djokovic losses. I will try to find the interview.

supervisor wrote:

HM Murdoch wrote:The two defeats he's appeared to take the hardest were AO 09 (the tears) and USO 11 (the tetchiness post match).

The USO 11 must have been particularly hard because he imploded. For all the talk of 'The Shot', all that did was bring the score to 5-3 40-30. He was still serving for the match. But he lost his way totally, got broken (double faulting on break point) and lost the next 3 games.

I saw an interview where fed said that the delpo loss in 2009 was harder than the two djokovic losses. I will try to find the interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BRF2tag-TE
There it is. Its around 6:00.

In spite of the fact Federer recaptured some of his best form for almost a year after this loss, I still cannot recall of a more stomach-churning memory than the 2011 USO semi against Djokovic. The year before wasn't so bad since I felt Djokovic played the better tennis that day, and I don't think Fed would have taken Rafa in the final, but in 2011 he was playing a different Djokovic and played some of his best tennis, albeit in flashes, and with the right tactics and mindset would have been favourite to defeat Nadal in the final, proving a massive point.

Then AO 2009 was also really bad, since IMO Roger was really dominating the rallies in the first four sets, and could've/should've wrapped it up in straights... and to add to the misery a victory there would have correspondingly meant a calendar (sort of) slam.

Wimbledon 2008 obviously hurt but at least I could appreciate Rafa probably deserved to win that match, and Fed did come roaring back in New York later that year.

French 2006 was probably the worst defeat to Nadal on clay. Probably the only french open against Nadal where he looked to have a chance.

Born Slippy wrote:French 2006 was probably the worst defeat to Nadal on clay. Probably the only french open against Nadal where he looked to have a chance.

He had his chances on FO 2011 as well, serving for the 1st set at 5-2 he buckled down to lose the set and match in 4, had he won that set and the 2nd set tiebreaker it could have been st.sets win, considering how fast FO was on 2011, Fed missed another of great chances that came his way.

lydian wrote:Also, had he not thrown that USO'09 match vs Delpo he would have held all 4 slams simultaneously given he won AO'10.

That, and the needlessness (a word?) of losing to Del Po makes it the most irritating to me. Totally unnecessary loss, and as you say a few months later he beat Murray in Australia.

One damn set from the non-calendar Grand Slam!

When you think how many bad / close losses he's had in Slam finals or semis, yet he's won 17, it really does underline the staggering standard of his career.

I don't think anyone can have been so close to anywhere near the same amount of Slams. Not even close.

I think the 2008 French Open final was one of the most devastating losses I've seen inflicted on Federer (6-1, 6-3, 6-0). He was well and truly humbled that day and obviously it set Nadal up for that historic Wimby 08 epic, probably giving him even greater belief (if thats even possible) whilst casting more doubts in Federer...

French Open 2008- It was hard to watch, I wish he lost to Monfils because even before the match started it had an inevitability about it

Wimbledon 2008- Again, to see him come all the way back and still lose still irks me, so many times i watch it back hoping the outcome will change, I stop watching before the final match point

Australian Open 2009- This one irritates me greatly, it was the only slam final against Nadal apart from 06 Wimbledon I thought he'd win and even up the rivalry, he was the better player even won more points and the 0-40 games at 4-4 in the 3rd set I have watched back many times

US Open 2009- How he lost the match I will never know, should have been two sets up, was in cruise control and in hindsight would have won all 4 majors in a row.

French Open 2011 - I thought it was written in the stars for him to win, he beat the unstoppable Djokovic and he'd have won all slams multiple times and passed the ultimate test, it could have been his most important win, but flattered to deceive against Rafa once more, turned it over for a while in after he lost first set in disgust

I'd have rathered Federer not lost those Semi-finals against Novak but I think like a lot of Federer fans, weren't totally devastated because they knew Rafa was waiting in the final, especially in 2010 I dont think he'd have won, which meant he'd have lost two him in all 4 slams

@BB/CAS... Federer was two points away from winning USO 2009, W 2008.

@ALPanorak... Not an excuse, but 2008 was annus horriblis for Mr. Stubborn Federer.

If he had won the Safin MP @AO 2005, he probably would have beaten Hewitt (the other 2005 wins were USO, W, IW).

In hindsight the 2008 FO & W losses don't wind me up because I truly do accept that he was playing in an impaired state.

Yeah, US 2009 is worst I think, but only after seeing the result of AO 2010.

Really though, the most awful is going to be when he doesn't pull it round against a Falla, Benneteau etc and goes out early. I have bought my Wimbledon 2013 Day 1 tickets purely so I'm "guaranteed" to see the great man win stress free on Centre, but I hope it isn't the ultimate jinx.

laverfan wrote:Can I suggest we consider Nadal, Djokovic and others in building a similar list, even though they are not close to retirement, yet...?

Agreed, I'd be interested to hear from fans of Nadal, Djokovic and others too.

This is a tough one actually, and as BB says it underlines how good Federer's been that he's been involved in so many important matches that were losses on his record...in addition to the existing slams he has. Fed does seem to lose most of the matches we now regard as classics! In many ways it's a good thing though, because it adds interest and has set up several amazing rivalries - if Fed had just steamrollered everyone from the outset, Nadal on clay excepting, it would've been considerably more dull.

Although Federer's my favourite player now, with Nadal behind him, I have occasionally supported his opponent when I felt they deserved the win - which is why AO'05, and US'09 aren't on my list. I actually cheered for Safin and JMDP in those matches, and likewise Roddick during their third Wimbledon final. Wimbledon 2008 isn't here because although at the time it hurt, over the last few years I've come to view it as a phenomenal match that Nadal probably deserved to win despite a fantastic comeback from Federer. That being said:

#5: Australian Open 2012. This has many parallels with the loss in 2009 to me, the main difference being that in my opinion Federer deserved to win this match. His loss to Nadal in 2009 was brutal for a fan, but easier to accept due to the sheer level that Nadal was operating at that day, and Federer falling away at the end ensured that it couldn't really be argued that he was the better player despite the overall quality of the match. For the 2012 iteration, though, I felt that Federer really had a chance going into the match and true to form he stepped up and played extremely well - again he was stopped by an in-form Nadal, but I feel Federer would've cleaned out anyone else in the tournament on that form. More than anything else I was impressed by his improved tactical exchanges here, and was gutted that he couldn't ride that form all the way to the final.

#4: Roland Garros 2008. This was excruciating to watch, and in hindsight it's possibly the only time that Federer's ever been truly annihilated in a match. Even when he loses in straight sets, it's frequently competitive and generally speaking he's extremely difficult to get off court quickly - even when opponents have been at peak form and Federer's off form, he usually hangs around for long enough to not embarrass himself. This match was the exception, and I've never seen him look so forlorn or completely out of ideas than he was during the final. Nadal was incredible, but even when he is Federer usually hangs in there and keeps fighting...not this time. I think if he hadn't folded so badly here, he would've won Wimbledon that year.

#3: US Open 2011. I've always had an appreciation for Novak's talent, and have warmed up to him considerably in the last year or so, but this was an infuriating defeat on many levels. First and foremost, I feel Federer deserved to win - it was a match of two halves, but I think Fed kept up the standard of play for longer and on balance probably just about nicked it. And the bitter nature of the defeat isn't due to Novak's amazing return or anything else, but more that Federer had the match on his racquet and folded spectacularly in the face of adversity. Add in the fact that we could've finally seen Federer playing Nadal at the US Open, and you have the ingredients for a devastating loss. I think this one hurt Federer badly, due to the defeat the previous year and the fact that he'd ended the streak of the Djokovic juggernaut earlier in the season - he knew he could win, and certainly felt that he should've done, so to throw it away at the pivotal moment must've angered him. That's not to say that Djokovic didn't step it up when he needed to, but Federer never should've allowed him the opportunity in that final set.

#2: Wimbledon 2010. This is more a combination of matches, in conjunction with the RG loss to Soderling in the same year. The SF streak had ended, Federer was looking more vulnerable and this defeat to Berdych definitely confirmed it. Not much else to say - Fed deserved to lose, I dislike Berdych, and the fact that Federer was on the slide was cast in concrete after this match. I would suggest that this was the tipping point for Federer, and outside of a few tournaments (notably RG 2011, AO 2012, IW 2012, Wimbledon 2012, and Cincy 2012) he's not really been able to conjure up his top level on a consistent basis since.

#1: Roland Garros 2011. I still get pretty down just thinking about this. For a start, Federer had looked awesome all tournament, particularly in ending Djokovic's amazing winning run in the previous round - to this day, the SF between them is the match that I nominate when asked for the highest quality tennis that I've ever seen. Nadal had looked similarly excellent but I just had a feeling that this was Federer's big chance to finally get the elusive win over Rafa on his home turf, provided he could reproduce the form that had seen off Djokovic. Everyone knows how the final went, and again I really felt that Federer could've done it in 2011 - he was playing well enough, and if he'd won that first set after starting like a train then I honestly think that the unthinkable could've happened. This is his toughest defeat, for my money; playing brilliantly, very brave in his play, managing to negate the matchup disadvantage by hitting through Nadal for large portions of the match, but eventually succumbing despite the quality of his play. You can't say that Nadal didn't deserve the win, but Federer really didn't deserve to lose either.

Ultimately though, he's hardly had a bad career and as a fan you have to take the rough with the smooth

I was at Centre for that Berdych defeat and it was excruciating to watch. Not even a good standard.

Just on the USO 2011 defeat, Federer cites it as the match that inspired him to go on the tear that took him back to #1, so really it didn't set him back. Interesting insight into his more understated positive mental attitude.

1. Aus Open 2009 - a nightmare loss when he won more points and played some amazing tennis

2. Rome 2006 - those MP's

3. WTF 2005 - shouldn't have lost, and with it the chance of equalling the 82-3 record

4. RG 2007 - all those BP's that went begging

5. RG 2011 - great start, but losing the 1st set from where he was hurt like hell.

I have not included RG 2008 - Fed himself did not find it difficult to deal with, he was slaughtered and couldn't do anything. Nor Wimbledon 2008 - clawing back from 2-0 was sensational and it helped make the legend of Fed's career just as much as Nadal's. I have also avoided SF's like USO 2011 or Aus 2012 because I don't think he would have won the final at either. I thought RG 2004 was an interesting call by Lydian, but I thought that his career story has been more interesting and dramatic for me as a fan by being made to wait for his first RG. If he'd not have won RG 2009 then whichever match he had lost there would have been No. 1 by miles, and RG 2004 would have been second.

I always think balance is necessary too, he's won a couple where I thought maybe he squeaked through.

I'm definitely thinking Wimbledon 2009; arguably even Wimbledon 2007 (when going into the 5th set, and the first five games, he looked like losing). Plus other matches he's got through at earlier stages, like RG 2009 semi-final (still not sure how he won that) and even Benneteau last year.

In the end it all balances out and he's smart enough to know he can't take the narrow wins and bemoan the narrow losses.

Good thread though, painful memories.

5 - Rome 2006 - agonising close defeat

4 - Djokovic US Open 2011 - losing a 2-0 lead on top of having done the same at Wimbledon, losing match points against the same player twice in a row, against a player he isn't keen on.

3 - FO 2008 - crushing defeat, had no answer. Rare to see him during a match not believe at all he could win it.

2. Wimbledon 2008 - losing the Wimbledon streak and the no 1 ranking (unofficially on the day, and officially later that summer) at the most important tournament out there.

1. AO 2009 - the worst. He didn't really believe Nadal was better than him after Wimbledon. After AO 2009, he realised who was no 1 - across all surfaces. A crushing defeat. We all saw the reaction. He had playing very well from the back of the court, especially in sets 2-4, but serve wasn't quite and peak, and the BP conversion was a disaster.

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You know, he might have been more annoyed at some of his defeats in 1999-2002 when he was a racket throwing youngster - none stand out though.

In theory, losing the Olympics final might have been difficult for him, his only chance, however it wasn't difficult for me to endure as Brit, and he seemed OK with it too.

Since people have asked to hear from fans of other players too, here are my most painful Novak losses.

#5 Cincy 2012
Being on the receiving end of a bagel is never fun. It’s even worse when it’s at the hand of the guy who has just taken your #1 ranking. It’s worse still when you chuck in 4 double faults on the way to that bagel. In retrospect, the result didn’t mean much but that first set was agony to watch.

#4 USO 2012
Set 1: Novak, Andy will not keep giving you these chances in the tie break! Please take one of them. Oh, darn it.
Set 2: I think this is done. Oh well, pleased for Andy.
Set 3: He couldn’t, could he?
Set 4: HE COULDN’T, COULD HE?!!
Set 5: He couldn’t. And it's 3 am and I have work tomorrow.

#3 Roland Garros 2011
One win away from the #1 spot but fell just short. The result says Federer won 3 sets to 1 but this was very close.

The first set was lost on a tie break. Federer then took the second but Novak took the third. Novak broke in the ninth game of the 4th and had the chance to serve for the set. Federer broke straight back. Novak then had a break point in the eleventh game... but Roger saved it with an unreturnable second(!) serve. From there he took the tie break, the set and the match and chucked in a finger wag for good measure!

This was painful because Novak had just beaten Rafa in Madrid and Rome and, in the Land of Maybe, he had a very good chance against him in the final and would now have a career slam.

But, in the Land of Perhaps, Rafa might have snatched the win on his best court, broken his Novak hoodoo and gone on to win Wimbledon. So who knows?

# Roland Garros 2012
Quite simply the biggest match of his career to date and he turned in one of the worst performances. The chance to hold all 4 slams was there but the dream went out with a whimper.

Broken in the first set on a double fault. Broken in the second set on a double fault. Down championship point on his own serve? Double fault.

The run of 8 games in a row in the 4th and 5th gave us hope but all it really showed in hindsight was that Rafa lost his cool for a while.

This was a result that knocked Novak’s confidence for a good few months.

#1 Madrid 2009
Beating Rafa on clay is always huge. For the Novak of 09 to beat the Rafa of 09, it would have been colossal.

Three match points were there but each one of them Rafa saved in scintillating, bludgeoning fashion. He won the third set tie break 11-9. The match lasted 4 hours 3 minutes.

An enthralling to match but draining to watch as a Novak fan. As Novak said afterwards:
“I even played a few points above my limits and I still didn't win”

I am struggling to think of painful Novak losses, so I'll just stick with your list. I guess he hasn't had many recently, and I don't recall so many particularly tough ones in slams (like 9-7 in the 5th in the final afterserving for it). I remember when Roger did the hotdog on him to bring up 2-0 6-5 40-0 against him a look of resignation. He was enjoying being out there and almost happy to lose against that kind of quality. He is a good loser, especially due to quality play by his opponent.

He had a similar look on his face when Roger brought up two match points on his own serve at the US Open, as if to say, fair enough, this is kind of cool atmosphere, I am enjoying this. I think that kind of attitude helped him to save those match points and win that match and tournament.

That Rafa loss at the FO though, a bit different, racket smashing and all that. Strange from Djokovic that he couldn't play a better match. Something wasn't right with him at the time I feel, even earlier in the tournament. I think there were some family issues in the background wasn't there?

I think I might have a better go at Rafa or Murray's losses.

Lots of excellent material on this thread, and it all makes for a very interesting read.

As a (now fairweather) golf fan, the debate for me sparks fond memories of the discussions that once revolved around the glittering career of Jack Nicklaus, regarded by many of course as the best in his sport.

Once fans - and indeed professional writers/pundits too - had exhausted their analysis of each and every one of Jack's stellar triumphs in the 'Majors' (18 in all, and 73 titles on the main Tour) their attention turned to the staggering number of top three (or invariably at worst top ten) finishes achieved in those Majors where, by his own mercurial standards, he fell just short.

By way of an aside, it is perhaps significant that each of the Federer defeats profiled by the OP came at an age that Rafa, Novak and Andy have all yet to reach. It's a fair bet that they have some pain to face in the years ahead, although I'm also pretty sure that as battle-hardened professionals, this point is not lost on them ......

For me it has to be

1) Australian Open 2009 v Nadal
2) French Open 2008 v Nadal
3) Wimbledon 2008 v Nadal
4) Toronto 2006 v Murray
5) US Open 2011 v Djokovic

legendkillarV2 wrote:For me it has to be
4) Toronto 2006 v Murray

lmao...

Can not be serious.

I would perhaps nominate his loss to Berdych in the QF Wimbledon, before then he had reached 7 straight Wimbledon finals winning 6 of them before an unlikely Czech halts his run.

Surely one of the hardest ones for Novak must be the 2007 US Open final, where he stood in the first set at 6-5, 40-0 and lost it. Dr_Sincere even announced the set had gone to him in his immortal public episode of Premature Speculation.

If I recall, he had more chances later on.