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29 Jul 2026 | 17.00
How much we miss Roger Federer on the ATP circuit. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, the epitome of elegance, for many, the greatest player to ever grace the tennis court. It will soon be four years since his retirement in September, but his tennis and his achievements will always remain in memory, even his greatest defeats.
On Punto de Break's YouTube channel, we delve deeply into the greatest victories and defeats in the Swiss player's over 20-year career. Above all, we imagine what would have happened if those victories or defeats had been reversed.
What if Roger Federer had not won or lost these matches?
It all starts with the moment when Roger Federer made his mark on the tennis world: defeating his idol Pete Sampras on Centre Court at Wimbledon in 2001. The American had claimed four consecutive titles and was aiming for his eighth trophy at the London Grand Slam, but the 19-year-old caused an upset and paved the way for a new era. It was clear to everyone that the Swiss would eventually reign, but that victory against that player, in that place, at that time, was perfect.
The second major victory was the Australian Open 2017 final against Rafa Nadal. Both players arrived in Melbourne after an injury-ridden 2016 with few joys. No one was betting on either of them, yet they progressed through the rounds to reach one of the finest Grand Slam finals in memory. In that match, Federer displayed his most aggressive side, surprising Nadal and clinching a Grand Slam title five years later. A loss to the Spaniard would have been a significant blow to Federer, perhaps prompting thoughts of retirement much earlier.
The third success under scrutiny might be one of Federer's most crucial but least known victories. In the 2009 Roland Garros quarterfinals, with Nadal out the day before, the Swiss found himself two sets down and facing a break point against Tommy Haas. The 20-time Grand Slam champion hit a shot that barely grazed the line, eventually turning the game around to lift his first and only title on the Parisian clay a few days later.
Had that backhand gone out and Haas broken serve, he would have served to close out the match. In another scenario, we might be discussing Federer retiring without completing the Career Grand Slam.
The latest triumph discussed in the video was his 2012 Wimbledon title against Andy Murray. After two years without a Grand Slam victory and playing second fiddle to Nadal and Djokovic, Federer had an unprecedented opportunity to reclaim the top spot and prove he still had a lot to offer in his racquet. However, he not only had to face Andy Murray but all of Great Britain, hoping the Scotsman would end a streak of over 66 years. Federer didn't give a chance, securing his seventh Wimbledon title and making a statement. Losing that final would have been a missed opportunity and perhaps hindered his ability to challenge the Spanish and Serbian players in the following years.
The video not only delves into victories but also significant defeats that, if avoided, would have further enriched Basel's great trophy collection. One of the most painful for all Roger fans was the 2019 Wimbledon final. The Swiss had two match points on his serve against Novak Djokovic, who managed to survive and claim the title in the fifth-set tiebreak after the game was tied at 12-12. Winning that final would have given Federer 21 Grand Slam titles and 9 Wimbledons now, but fate, luck, and Djokovic stood in the way.
Another tough defeat Federer suffered at the hands of Djokovic dates back eight years, precisely in the 2011 US Open semifinals. That year, Djokovic dominated everyone, except for one person: Federer, in the Roland Garros semifinals. The Swiss seemed to be the only one who could challenge him and had two match points to reach the final, where Nadal awaited. With Federer serving at 40-15, Djokovic hit a return that clipped the line by mere millimeters.
That ball stayed with Federer as he lost five consecutive games, along with the opportunity to compete for another title in New York. A hypothetical victory would have halted Belgrade's streak, boosted Djokovic's confidence, and potentially led to a US Open final between the Swiss and the Spaniard, the only Grand Slam event where they have never faced each other.
However, with the Spaniard, Federer experienced what many consider the greatest tennis final in Wimbledon 2008. That match in London, which nearly ran out of light, elevated Nadal, who claimed his third Wimbledon title and ended Federer's streak of four consecutive titles. Winning that final would have halted Nadal's great year, potentially dealing a blow to him after losing three consecutive finals.
Nadal was again the cause of one of the most striking moments in Roger Federer's career when he broke down in tears after the 2009 Australian Open final. The Spaniard, fatigued from a tough semifinal against Fernando Verdasco, presented the Swiss with a chance for revenge following their previous encounter in London. But Federer was helpless against a dominant Nadal, unable to contain his emotions. A win in that final would have ended his struggles against the Spaniard, although despite the defeat, he went on to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2009.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los grandes ‘What If’ de Federer: Wimbledon 2019, Roland Garros 2009, Open de Australia 2017
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