Roger Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles across his glittering career and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the sport.
Even now, two years after his retirement, his legacy remains as culturally relevant as it was whilst he was still active.
His presence at the US Open fan week has only proved this further.
Appearing to play some exhibition matches whilst conducting a series of interviews, Roger Federer was a welcome addition to these celebratory past few days, which also included the mixed doubles event.
However, delving back on his career, and for all the success, there was also plenty of heartache. He discussed the latter in a chat with ESPN.
Roger Federer names the two worst Grand Slam defeats of his career
Asked to recall his iconic but devastating 2019 Wimbledon final defeat to Novak Djokovic, Federer actually revealed that this particular defeat does not haunt him as much as two other examples.
He began by admitting: “I mean, it would have been obviously amazing, I guess, in 19 the final with Novak would have been special because that would have been back-to-back Rafa and Novak.
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“You know, I was 38 at the time, I don’t know, but like I had an amazing run. I played great, played great in the finals, but thankfully, I don’t know that… Maybe because I beat Rafa in the semis and I played actually really good in the finals as well. I didn’t have any regrets after because I was close. I know maybe it haunts some other people, but for me, I don’t know. I feel like I was able to move on more.”
Federer then noted his two alternatives which stung more: “I think the US Open finals here in 09 against Delpo sort of haunts me more, because it broke an incredible streak of five [in a row], and I knew I was never gonna get that back, and I felt I missed out so many chances throughout the match, and that one is a big regret that I have.
“And then maybe the Wimbledon final against Rafa in 08 as well, which also snapped the super streak, you know?
“So actually, funny enough, I have more regrets against Rafa and Delpo than I have with the Novak matches because I think I also have two matches here where I have match points. But look, I’m the king of missing match points, it seems like. I don’t know what happened in those match points.”
Federer also spoke about the concept of Djokovic being considered the GOAT, and how he feels about this comparison.
What happened during the 2019 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic?
After beating Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal en route to the final, Federer had already worked tirelessly just to reach this stage.
Djokovic, meanwhile, had enjoyed a far easier draw by comparison. He was the top seed, and the favourite to claim yet another Wimbledon title.
However, it was Federer who seemed to have the match won.
He twice fell a set behind, but both times replied with remarkable comebacks. Then, in the crucial fifth set, they found themselves in a seemingly never-ending spiral.
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The Swiss star served for the match at 7-8, but was broken, with Djokovic saving two championship points.
Eventually, after four hours and 57 minutes, the Serbian had won.
Federer lost the match despite statistically outplaying Djokovic in almost every category.
