Federer reveals the final that hurt him the most to lose: it wasn't against Djokovic

Fernando Murciego - 26 Aug 2026 | 08:31
ATP Roger Federer US Open 2026 Juan Martín del Potro

Taking advantage of his stay in New York, the Swiss player continues to give interviews and recalling some moments from the past. Can you imagine which final caused him the most pain in his career? It was precisely here.

Go to comments section Preferir Puntodebreak en Google
Federer reveals the final he most regretted losing: it was not against Djokovic. Source: Getty

Roger Federer is making so much news these days that at times it seems like he has never left the circuit. His staging has been the best way to kick off this US Open 2026, as it allows us to get nostalgic and recall some unique moments from the past.

On this occasion, he was asked which final had caused him the most pain in his career. There were more finals won than lost, of course, but it is true that there were some that left a wound in the heart of the Swiss. In his response, he points to three memorable matches that we all currently have in mind, starting with the loss to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2019, after squandering two match points. That could have been devastating for his confidence, but the Swiss assures that he managed to turn the page relatively easily.

“I suppose the 2019 final with Novak,” Federer replied when asked about the loss that hurt him the most. At 38 years old, the Swiss had completed an extraordinary tournament and arrived at that final after defeating Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. A victory over Djokovic would have meant defeating his two biggest rivals consecutively in the same Grand Slam. However, despite losing a match that he practically had in his hands, Federer does not hold a special feeling of regret.

The reason has to do with his own performance. “I think I played very well in the semifinals and also very well in the final,” he explained. Federer believes he delivered his best version and was very close to achieving a historic victory. Therefore, although he acknowledges that that loss could have tormented other people, he managed to move on without too many problems. He even took one of the cruelest episodes of his career, those two match points he couldn’t convert, with humor.

The final that hurt Roger Federer the most to lose

But there are two finals that weigh even more in his memory. One is the US Open 2009 against Juan Martín del Potro, where his impressive dominance in New York came to an end. Federer had won five consecutive titles between 2004 and 2008 and knew that this opportunity to extend the streak would probably not come again. Moreover, he feels he wasted too many opportunities during the match, making that loss one of his significant regrets.

The other is Wimbledon 2008, against Nadal. That match ended another great streak of Federer on the London grass and marked a turning point in their rivalry. It is significant that the Swiss himself places above the 2019 final two losses that, beyond the result, symbolized the end of dominant stages. “It's funny that I regret those matches against Rafa and Delpo more than the match with Novak,” he acknowledged. And, true to his sense of humor, he concluded the reflection with a phrase that perfectly summarizes his relationship with that loss: “I am the king of lost match points.”

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Federer desvela la final que más le dolió perder: no fue contra Djokovic