Swiss world No.3 Roger Federer admits that he is not at his best form after crashing out of the US Open to Juan Martin del Potro.
The 36-year-old was just one win away from facing Rafael Nadal for the first time at the tournament, but was denied by his Argentine rival. Chances came and went for Federer, who had four set points in the third set, but failed to convert all of them. Resulting in Del Potro triumphing over him in four sets for the first time since 2013.
“Sometimes you do the right things and he does, too. Then it matches up badly your way.” Said Federer. “I didn’t think I played bad. Towards the end of the breakers I can do better, maybe, but I think the decisions that we both took, me serving, him returning, or whatever it may have been, it just didn’t go my way.”
25 places separate the two players in the rankings, but it was hard to see that disparity on the court between the two former champions. Heading into their clash, Federer believed he was ‘not good enough’ to win the tournament due to his preparation. After the Canadian Masters, he suffered a back injury which forced him out of Cincinnati. Leaving him frustrated, but contempt with his New York performance.
“In some ways I’m actually happy I made the quarters, so I’m not disappointed, because it’s been a good run this year already. Unfortunately, I ran into a guy who was better than me today.” He said.
It is a bitter outcome to what has been a dream year so far. The Swiss has already won two Grand slam and two Masters 1000 titles. Thursday’s defeat was only his fourth loss out of 43 matches played this season.
Now thinking about what could have been if would have faced Nadal, Federer has openly admitted that he wouldn’t have a good chance of winning. Instead, he stated that Del Potro was a more worthy semifinalist and has a better chance of defeating the world No.1
“Juan Martin deserves it more. I feel I have no place in the semis and he will have a better chance to beat Rafa, to be honest. The way I played or playing right now, it’s not good enough in my opinion to win this tournament. It’s better I’m out and somebody else gets a chance to do better than me.”
The positive side
Amid the disappointment, there are encouraging signs surrounding the health of Federer. It appears that his back problem is no longer an issue with him moving freely around the court in little discomfort.
“It was getting better as the tournament progressed, so that was positive.” Federer evaluated. “I’m happy I was able to overcome that, and that all the hard work we put into it with my team, that was what I was looking for throughout the event is actually it was going to get better, my back.”
Finding a silver lining in New York, Federer has unveiled his plans for the rest of the year. He is set a play at the Laver Cup, Shanghai, Basel, Paris, and London. A schedule that he said he ‘won’t change.’ Focusing on rest between all of those tournaments after missing six months of 2016 due to injury.
“I’m tired. I put a lot into it. I was not sure I could play, to be honest, so I’m happy I get a rest now.” He said about his US Open campaign.
The Laver cup will begin on September 22nd.
