Federer Analyzes His Loss At The US Open

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 4th September 2013

Federer Analyzes His Loss At The US Open

epa03848535 Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return to Tommy Robredo of Spain during their match on the eighth day of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2013. The US Open runs through Monday 09 September, a 15-day schedule for the first time. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Self-criticism has never been one of Roger Federer’s traits. Then again, for the majority of his illustrious career, it never needed to be but after a disappointing year in the Grand Slam tournaments crashed to a sad end with a US Open straight sets exit to Tommy Robredo, the Swiss did not hold back.

Federer had never previously lost to Robredo in ten meetings but his 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 display on the Louis Armstrong Stadium was most certainly not befitting of a man who holds a record 17 Grand Slam titles and has spent more time than anyone else as the world no.1. He converted just two of 16 break points and made 43 unforced errors – 20 on his favored forehand side – as he lost in two hours and 24 minutes.

Those who don’t want to see such a revered player bring a quick end to his career rather than sink down the rankings and end his career before he becomes just another ordinary player slipping outside the top ten gained more ammunition.

And Federer admitted: “I kind of feel like I beat myself, without taking any credit away from Tommy. I self-destructed, which is very disappointing, especially on a quicker court. Your serve helps you out. You’re going to make the difference somewhere. I just couldn’t do it. It was a frustrating performance today.”

It is the first year that Federer has failed to reach a Grand Slam final since 2002, but retirement is most certainly not on his mind and he remains determined to regain the form that made him world no.1 as recently as last year.

Clearly in a sarcastic mood, he added: “The story of my life: When I lose, people are shell-shocked to see me play this way.

Since losing in the second round at Wimbledon, Federer has struggled with a bad back and experimented with a larger sized racket head.

He said: “I’ve definitely got to go back to work and come back stronger, get rid of this loss now as quick as I can, forget about it, because that’s not how I want to play from here on,” he said. “I want to play better. I know I can. I showed it the last few weeks, that there is that level, so today was pretty frustrating.”

Federer was insistent the late switch from Arthur Ashe Stadium to Armstrong, necessitated by a rain delay of more than four hours, had nothing to do with demise, although Robredo won his previous round on the same court against Britain’s Daniel Evans less than 48 hours earlier.

“That should not be the issue,” said Federer. “I’ve waited for so many matches throughout my career. That’s definitely the last excuse you could find.”

Robredo, could hardly believe his good fortune and enthused: “It’s amazing. For me, Roger for the moment is the best player of all times. And to beat him in a huge stadium like the US Open and in a Grand Slam, a match of five sets, it’s like a dream.”

Topics: 10sballs, Daniel Evans, Grand Slam, Louis Armstrong Stadium, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tommy Robredo, US Open, Wimbledon