Roger Federer’s haunting defeat: The US Open final he yearns to rewrite!
Roger Federer, a tennis legend with a glittering resume, has one particular match that continues to haunt him. Among his many triumphs, there’s a loss that still stings.
The scene: the 2009 US Open final. A young, fearless Juan Martin del Potro shattered Federer’s dominance in New York, ending a remarkable winning streak that had captivated the tennis world.
On that fateful September night, Federer and del Potro engaged in an epic battle. The match stretched over four hours, with del Potro eventually claiming victory in five sets: 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. This triumph marked the only Major title del Potro would ever hold.
Both players pushed themselves to the brink in this grueling contest. Federer, with five consecutive US Open titles under his belt, was on the verge of victory in the second and fourth sets, but del Potro’s resilience kept him in the game. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Federer’s serve, usually a weapon, let him down that night, with a first serve percentage of just 51%. Yet, he still managed 45 service winners and saved 10 break points. Del Potro, riding high after defeating Rafael Nadal in the semis, brought a powerful forehand and unwavering confidence to the court.
But here’s where it gets intriguing: Federer, despite the loss, believes this is the match he should have won. He stood on the brink of victory multiple times, and a different outcome could have changed his entire US Open legacy.
Over a decade later, Federer still wishes he could step back onto that court and rewrite history. And who can blame him? It’s a testament to his competitive spirit and the passion that drives athletes to strive for perfection.
A controversial twist: Some argue that Federer’s desire to redo this match is a sign of his greatness, while others see it as a rare glimpse of self-doubt in an otherwise confident champion. What’s your take? Is it a healthy reflection or an unnecessary obsession?