8 tournaments where Roger Federer has had the most missed opportunities

Modified Aug 04, 2019 08:00 GMT

Federer exults after beating Kei Nishikori for his 100th Wimbledon match win

Nadal beats Federer for the fourth time in a French Open final enroute to a 6th RG title in 2011

(2) Roland Garros

Federer fell to his arch nemesis Rafael Nadal in three consecutive Roland Garros finals (2006-08) before completing a coveted career Grand Slam the following year on the Parisian terre battue with a victory over Nadal's conqueror Robin Soderling.

Having been twice denied a rare calendar year Grand Slam at Roland Garros (2006-07) by Nadal, Federer advanced to the title match in Paris for the fifth time in 2011 where the Spaniard laid in wait yet again.

Federer rode on an early break and a set point went begging when a drop shot in the eighth game landed tantalisingly wide. Nadal would regroup by winning five consecutive games to take the opening set.

It looked bleak for the Swiss when he found himself with a two set and a break deficit in the third. To his credit though, Federer fought back with a run of games to take the third. He then saw three consecutive break points on the Nadal serve in the opening game of the fourth set come and go, as the Spaniard arrested Federer's momentum en route to a sixth Roland Garros title.

That defeat marked the first time Federer lost four title matches at the same tournament.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 18 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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