20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer said he has ‘missed an opportunity‘ after crashing out of the US Open in a five-set thriller to Grigor Dimitrov.
The world No.3 was at one stage leading the match by two sets, but was unable to maintain the advantage as he was knocked out 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Suffering his first ever loss to Dimitrov after being on a seven-match winning streak. Towards the business end of the fourth round encounter, Federer took a medical time out and briefly left the court. When he returned, he could only win two games as his opponent roared towards the win.
“I just needed some treatment on my upper back, neck. Just needed to try to loosen it up, crack it and see if it was going to be better.” Said Federer. “But this is Grigor’s moment and not my body’s moment, so… It’s okay.”
“I had a little bit (of pain) this afternoon (Tuesday). That’s it. I was able to play. It’s okay. It’s how it goes. I tried my best. By it was not far not too bad to give up or anything.” He added.
Federer’s exit ends what has been a mixed run at Flushing Meadows. In his first two rounds the Swiss player dropped a set before producing an emphatic display to defeat David Goffin. The last player he faced prior to Dimitrov, whom he failed to break during the last two sets of his match.
“I’m just disappointed it’s over because I did feel like I was actually playing really well after a couple of rocky starts.” The former champion reflected.
“It’s just a missed opportunity to some extent that you’re in the lead, you can get through, you have two days off after. It was looking good.’
“But got to take the losses. They’re part of the game. Looking forward to family time and all that stuff, so… Life’s all right.”
It is the first time in 16 years that Federer has failed to reach the quarter-final at the same grand slam two years in a row. Something that last occurred at the US Open where he suffered three consecutive fourth round losses between 2001-2003. He hasn’t won the tournament since 2008.
Whilst disappointed with his latest run and nursing a back issue, the 38-year-old praised Dimitrov’s performance after what has been a lacklustre season for the world No.78. Dimitrov had failed to win back-to-back matches at six consecutive tournaments prior to the US Open. It is only the third time he has reached the semi-final of a major and the first since the 2017 Australian Open.
“I thought he was tough off the baseline.” Federer said of Dimitrov. “He mixed up well, which gave me all sorts of problems with the rhythm. Could never really feel comfortable off the baseline.”
“That’s something in the past, I’ve always been able to dominate, I’d say. That was not the case tonight. He did a good job there.”
Federer will now switch his focus to the Laver Cup, which will get underway on September 20th. Meanwhile, Dimitrov is set for a last four showdown with Daniil Medvedev.
