Federer's 5 Set Losses in Grand Slams

[McEnroeisanartist]

Federer has lost 16 matches in Grand Slam semifinals and finals.

7 of those matches he lost in 5 sets. 43.75%

Do you think think this highlights Federer's lack of mental toughness in close matches? Or does it make you respect him for how tough he is to beat.

By comparison, Sampras lost 9 matches in Grand Slam semifinals and finals and 2 of those matches he lost in 5 sets. 22.22%

Nadal lost 8 matches in Grand Slam semifinals and finals and 2 of those matches he lost in 5 sets. 25.00%.

Lendl lost 20 matches in Grand Slam semifinals and finals and 5 of those matches he lost in 5 sets. 25.00%

Connors lost 23 matches in Grand Slam semifinals and finals and 5 of those matches he lost in 5 sets. 21.74%

[ricki]

what is usual score in last set? 6:2? - it would mean he is mental midget

[joeri888]

In todays match it was an achievement. In some others it was weak how he lost.

[Steve0904]

I've always said it was the latter with Federer. It just shows how ridiculously tough he is to beat, and that was never more evident than tonight. Contrast that with Connors or Nadal for example who are renowned for their fighting spirit (and no doubt they were/are great fighters), and it's different. They were tough to beat in 5, but they didn't have enough to get it to that point in most of their losses.

[Steve0904]

Originally Posted by joeri888

In todays match it was an achievement. In some others it was weak how he lost.

I would agree with this though. USO 10 and 11 come to mind here especially.

[pingu]

Watching the match today, it's clearly a sign of getting old for Fed especially in 5th set.

[cknobman]

Originally Posted by pingu

Watching the match today, it's clearly a sign of getting old for Fed especially in 5th set.

Originally Posted by joeri888

In todays match it was an achievement. In some others it was weak how he lost.

I agree with these statements.

[McEnroeisanartist]

What is worse to choke and lose in the fifth set? Or to not have enough fight to get it to a fifth set?

[forzamilan90]

Better lose in 5 than in 4 or 3 as far as I am concerned. Shows more effirt.

[Flash O'Groove]

The idea that he is weak mentally is ridiculous. It is true that he plays better when he leads, but he is as great a competitor as anyone, including Connors or Nadal (in fact he is a greater competitor than Nadal). Wmbledon 2008, AO 2013 are examples of how he fighted in match were he was the inferior player.

[roberttennis54]

Yes the greatest tie breaker player of all time is weak mentally in close matches.

Federer just gets tired in long hard physical matches and that is why he has nothing left in the fifth set. That's all there is to it.

[zam88]

This loss was a function of the draw.

Sure Murray served awesome and played awesome.

but he was also the fresher opponent by far.


If Murray had just been drawn to the other side, Federer would likely be in the final, playing an opponent coming off of a 5-set deathmatch.

In addition... because DelPo donked, Murray didn't have to play a single quality opponent before the semi... he played a bunch of practice matches.

Federer had to fight a very tough Tsonga.... If Murray had had to put in a hard 4 or 5 sets against Juan, the match might have been different.


Trust me.. this loss was every bit as much on the blame of the draw as it was on Murray's stellar play.