20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer reveals his 2008 Wimbledon final loss was probably the most disappointing loss of his career. In the 2008 Wimbledon final – which is widely considered as one of the greatest matches ever played in tennis history – Rafael Nadal edged out Federer 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7.
At the time, Federer was bidding to win his sixth consecutive Wimbledon title. In an interview with Eurosport’s Barbara Schett, Federer was asked about his most disappointing loss. “Probably Wimbledon 2008,” Federer told Schett.
“Just because the way it ended in the darkness with Rafa. There was so much on the line. It needed a winner. And it went his way. And it was heartbreak”.
Federer on his best moment
Federer is set to finish his career with 20 Grand Slam victories, but one Major triumph is standing out.
In the 2004 US Open final, Federer bageled Lleyton Hewitt twice en route to claiming a 6-0 7-6 6-0 victory and his first US Open title. At the time, Federer felt that performance showed that he was indeed worthy the top spot.
Schett asked Federer if there was one match in which he felt he delivered his top tennis. “I haven’t really gone back to that and thought ‘let me look through the list’,” Federer answered. “For me the US Open final against Leyton Hewitt, where I won 6-0 7-6 6-0, is special.
It does not happen like that in Grand Slam finals – where you take off like that in the first set, have a wobble in the second set but then you dominate in the third again. For me that match was perfect. I was on top of the world.
[I was] world No. 1 and showed the world that I was a deserving world No. 1 and it was against a guy who I respect so much. But I really struggled early on in my career and then to end up there to me felt like a perfect storm. I feel like if I looked back I would most like to play that match again.”
