Roger Federer: “I Needed to Get Knocked Down in Cincy”

World No.3, Roger Federer required a couple of days to recover from the heartbreaking defeat against Novak Djokovic at the Wimbledon Championships 2019 finals. However, the Swiss Maestro could not dwell on the missed opportunity as he still has flashbacks of the match.

Roger Federer was unable to convert two championship points against Novak Djokovic at also Wimbledon finals last month. Since then, the 20-time Grand Slam champion played only one event in Cincinnati, where he suffered a shock defeat against the Russian qualifier Andrey Rublev.

However, the 38-year-old now enters the US Open 2019 with a positive mindset despite not winning the tournament for the past 11 years. Federer revealed in a pre-tournament interview in New York that he hasn’t felt this good heading into the last Grand Slam of the season.

Federer did not have the best of the times at the US Open after winning the title for a record fifth consecutive time in 2008. He has not reached the semifinals at the Flushing Meadows since his loss in 2015. He said ahead of the US Open 2019, “I was thinking also, it hasn’t always been easy here.”

Roger Federer suffered from a knee injury in 2016 and was forced to skip the US Open that year. He was also hampered with a back injury at the 2017 US Open. Last year, the Swiss saw an early exit from the US Open as he struggled with heat during his 4th round defeat.

Federer recalled his struggles with injuries during the US Open from the past three years. “Two years ago I came in with a back issue a little bit, I had a struggle early on with five-setters,” said the world No.3. “I remember Tiafoe and others. That set the tone the tournament was going to be tough. Last year I struggled with the heat against Millman. Obviously, what was it, ’16 I missed it entirely.”

The 5-time US Open champion then revealed that he is probably feeling the best he has ever felt before coming to New York. “I think we were talking on the practice court yesterday or two days ago, this is probably the best I’ve felt in years coming into the US Open again, which is encouraging.”

Federer further added, “I mean, look, I have no explanation why it didn’t go as well as it did. I think a bit unlucky for sure also. That was part of it, yeah.”

“I’m not putting extra pressure on myself,” Federer suggested. “I know it’s going to be tough. I’m not coming in as the overwhelming favorite like maybe I did back in 2006 or 2007. I’m very much aware of how I need to approach this tournament mentally.”

Roger Federer is also very proud of a consistent last year and a half after his back locked up on him in Montreal, two years ago. He added, “I struggled here as well, struggled for quite a while.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion feels that he has been playing well in slams recently, which has been great. He also thinks that the win over Rafa in the semis was big for him. Federer further suggested that the way he played the finals in Wimbledon, is going to give him some extra confidence.

He said, “I’m happy where my game is at. Cincinnati might be a good thing that I lost early, who knows. It’s maybe one of those things that sometimes need to happen, like when I won at the Australian Open, went to Dubai, lost first round in ’17, then went on to win Indian Wells and Miami.”

Roger Federer explained that the defeat at the Western and Southern Open 2019, last week helped him to get his act together. He continued, “Maybe the same thing played a great Wimbledon. Needed to get knocked down in Cincy, get my act together, train hard. That’s what I did. I’m ready for the US Open. The draw is out, see which qualifier I will play.”

However, the Swiss believe that he can win the US Open title again and also conquer the 21st Grand Slam title of his career. He concluded, “It’s going to be a tough tournament to win, no doubt about it. I feel like I’m part of that group who can do it.”