1) 2003 Wimbledon remaining v Mark Philippoussis
The 2003 Wimbledon remaining marked Federer’s first grand slam victory, and the primary time he had such an enormous viewers watching on TV. Within the first-set tiebreaker, with the rating knotted at two apiece, Federer displayed all his brilliance in a single level: a half-volley from the baseline, wide-angled groundstrokes and a end with a superb forehand down the road.
2) 2005 US Open remaining v Andre Agassi
Enjoying considerably in opposition to the gang – maybe for the one time in his profession - who had been behind the sentimental favourite Agassi, Federer unleashed a ridiculously powerful forehand from properly behind the baseline within the early going (across the 28 second mark within the video above). The veteran American regarded surprised. Agassi would later say of the match: “After I confronted Roger Federer within the 2005 US Open remaining, there was no secure place to place a ball on the courtroom. Roger’s serve, return, actions and internet sport had been unimaginable; his versatility was so robust that he may need had 5 issues individually higher than all people else on the Tour.”
3) 2009 French Open semi-final v Juan Martin del Potro
Federer, simply months after a heart-wrenching defeat by the hands of Rafael Nadal within the 2009 Australian Open remaining, was determined to say a French title to finish the profession grand slam. When Nadal was shocked by Robin Söderling within the fourth spherical, Federer knew this might properly be his greatest likelihood to win in Paris. However he confronted an enormous – actually – hurdle within the 6ft7in Del Potro and his relentless floor sport. However Federer utilized his different arsenal to sneak by with a five-set triumph. Within the second sport of the match, Federer in some way tracked down a forehand and curved the ball down the road for a winner. The Swiss maestro then went on to demolish shock finalist Söderling within the remaining to win his solely French Open title.
4) 2009 Wimbledon remaining v Andy Roddick
A 12 months after taking part in what many consider to be the best match ever performed at SW19, shedding to Nadal in 5 thrilling units, Federer was again within the Wimbledon remaining and, once more, competing in one other epic. Roddick took the primary set after which held a commanding 6-2 lead within the tiebreaker. Serving for a seemingly insurmountable two-set lead, Roddick in relative management of the purpose when he smacked a forehand at Federer’s ft. However Federer casually hit a half-volley backhand winner (across the 4min 45sec mark within the video above) and ended up profitable the tiebreak. He would win a unprecedented fifth set 16-14.
5) 2010 US Open semi-final v Novak Djokovic
This checklist features a few factors that bought away from Federer however advantage inclusion on account of their significance. In 2010, with New York followers salivating on the likelihood of a Federer-Nadal remaining (sadly Gotham by no means bought to witness the 2 going through off), it appeared like it might certainly come to cross. Djokovic, serving down 15-40, missed two first serves. However Federer bought tight on each factors and he let Djokovic assault (disclaimer: these two factors are included as one).
6) 2011 French Open semi-final v Djokovic
Coming into the French Open in 2011, Federer was within the first “stoop” of his profession, as he had gone 4 straight grand slams with out claiming a title. All of the discuss coming into the event was about Nadal, who was coming off a 3 grand slam 12 months in 2010, and Djokovic who was lastly coming into his personal after a superb begin to the 12 months, profitable 41 consecutive matches, together with on the Australian Open a number of months prior. In a big upset, a visibly motivated Federer beat Djokovic in 4 units. Within the remaining set of his victory, after each greats traded stellar photographs from all around the courtroom, Federer in some way got here up with a flicked backhand down-the-line passing shot that surprised Djokovic (across the two-minute mark within the clip above) and helped seal the victory. Waving his finger within the air after the match was completed, it was apparent to all how a lot this victory meant to him. Although Nadal thrashed Federer within the remaining, it didn’t take away from how necessary a victory this was.
7) 2011 US Open semi-final v Djokovic
Remarkably, only a 12 months after shedding two match factors within the semi-final to his rival, Federer once more discovered himself up two match factors in the identical spherical in New York. This time it was on his serve. And this time, Djokovic got here up with a ridiculous return to avoid wasting the primary match level. Then on the second match level, and visibly shaken by what Djokovic had simply pulled off on the primary match level, Federer bungled a easy forehand into the underside of the web. After the match, Federer, in a uncommon second of outward irritation, commented that Djokovic didn’t appear as if somebody “who believes a lot anymore in profitable. To lose in opposition to somebody like that, it’s very disappointing, since you really feel like he was mentally out of it already. Simply will get the fortunate shot on the finish, and off you go.”
8) 2017 Australian Open remaining v Nadal
His profession having been declared unofficially over, after battling bodily illnesses and lackluster performances within the slams, Federer got here into the Australian Open with little fanfare. And the identical could be mentioned of Nadal who was additionally coming off arguably the worst interval of his profession. However the two placed on a present in Melbourne. Nadal had discovered the formulation for beating Federer (excessive balls to the backhand facet) and got here into the occasion with a dominant file in opposition to his arch rival. On this present day, Federer’s backhand didn’t buckle. But it surely was his omnipotent forehand that received him the match, as exemplified by this level within the third set that gave Federer a break level. Federer in some way struck a half-volley with horrifying energy down the road that gave him added momentum (45 second mark above). Federer would go on to win the title, getting back from a break down within the fifth to take action, and thus beginning the third act of his good profession.
9) 2017 Miami Open quarter-final v Tomas Berdych
OK, so this wasn’t a very necessary match or event for Federer (though he did win it). But it surely needs to be included as a result of the shot is so extraordinary: a mid-court, high-in-the-air drop shot that utterly fooled Berdych.
10) 2019 Wimbledon remaining v Djokovic
It appears fallacious to finish on one other destructive second for Federer however the loss obscured this beautiful reality: that Federer, weeks from turning 38, an historical age within the sport, was one level from profitable yet one more grand slam title. That all of it unfolded in opposition to Djokovic should have stung. But once more, Federer had the match on his personal serve (across the 40 second mark above) however he went for conservative serves that Djokovic dismissed with seeming ease. After it was over, a disconsolate Federer mentioned, “I don’t know what I really feel proper now. I simply really feel prefer it’s such an unimaginable alternative missed, I can’t consider it.”
Which may be true, however missteps like this stand out in Federer’s profession as a result of he was so usually near excellent.
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