Roger Federer’s career was filled with incredible highs, but even he has a few moments he’d like to have back.
The Swiss icon claimed 20 Grand Slam titles between 2003 and 2018, building a reputation as one of the most dominant players in tennis history.
But despite all his success, Federer came up short in 11 major finals, many of them against familiar foes Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Only one of those losses came against someone other than Nadal or Djokovic — the 2009 US Open final.
Now, looking back over his entire career, Federer has singled out that match as the one he’d most want another shot at.
Roger Federer picks 2009 US Open final loss as his biggest regret
In an interview with Tages Anzeiger, Federer was asked which match from his career he’d most like to play again. He replied: “The 2009 US Open final against Juan Martin del Potro.”
“I should have won that one. Back then, I had back pain in the warm-up and then missed so many chances. That was one of the matches I shouldn’t have lost.”
Federer was beaten by Del Potro in five sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium, a loss that snapped a remarkable run of success for the Swiss star in New York.
The defeat marked Federer’s first loss at the US Open in over six years, a streak he remembered well. “It also broke my streak at the US Open,” said Federer.
The 44-year-old spoke about how challenging it was to deal with the pressure of maintaining those kinds of records during his playing days.
“That was one of the matches I shouldn’t have lost.” Federer lost to the big-hitting Argentine in five sets, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-7, 2-6, on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The loss was his first in New York in 2,205 days. “It also broke my streak at the US Open,” said Federer.
The 44-year-old explained how he struggled with the pressure of maintaining ‘streaks’ throughout his time in tennis. “My streak also ended at Wimbledon 2008,” said Federer.
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