When it comes to the biggest matches on the sport’s biggest stages, Roger Federer doesn’t have too many regrets. And understandably so. The Swiss sensation is 19-10 in Grand Slam finals. But his five-set 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 loss to Juan Martin del Potro in the title tilt at the US Open in 2009 still gets under his skin.
"What happened there?" joked Federer, feigning amnesia while reflecting on the missed opportunity.
In a match that lingered for more than four hours, del Potro halted Federer’s quest for a sixth straight title in Flushing Meadows.
"I left that match with a lot of regrets," confided Federer after learning that he'll get another shot at the altitudinous Argentine in the 2017 quarterfinals. “[It] feels like one of those matches I would like to play over again."
"I just had all these chances in multiple moments," the 36-year-old continued. "The only time when he was really better, in my opinion, was the fifth set. Obviously, that was good enough to beat me that day. It was a good match. A lot of back and forth. Crowd was really into it. Started in the day, finished in the night."
It was a big year for Federer, one in which he reached the finals of all four majors, winning two (including his one and only Roland Garros crown), and witnessed the birth of his twin daughters, Myla and Charlene.
"I was not too disappointed I don't think because I had a great run," he said. "But it ended my five-year reign here in New York. Juan Martin did play extremely well. He beat Rafa [Nadal] and me back-to-back, so I felt like he deserved it at the end."
When the two champions retake the court on opposite sides of the net on Wednesday, Federer says it will be a whole different match.
"I think we're different players today," he explained. "We both play different. Because of his [wrist] surgery, I think his backhand has changed. He uses his slice much more. Just alone because of that, the game would be different. I'm playing more aggressive, as well, on the return. I play shorter points. I don't use my slice as much, whereas he does now."
They did face each other earlier this year in Miami, with Federer claiming a somewhat routine 6-3, 6-4 decision. He now leads the career head-to-head 16-5, and has won their last three meetings. Can he make it four straight?
