How much of Federer's enduring appeal was because he showed he was human by losing more painful matches than any player in history?

[McEnroeisanartist]

How much of Federer's enduring appeal was because he showed he was human by losing more painful matches than any player in history?

It may be debated who is GOAT, but it cannot be debated that he lost the most painful matches (significant, close, final set, in a great position to win) matches of any tennis player in history.

 

[ffw2]

Federerismorehumanthanhuman

 

[Federev]

How much of Federer's enduring appeal was because he showed he was human by losing more painful matches than any player in history?

It may be debated who is GOAT, but it cannot be debated that he lost the most painful matches (significant, close, final set, in a great position to win) matches of any tennis player in history.

This is actually a good question.

I think he actually raised his appeal this way - similar to how Novak engendered more affection for himself when he fell apart against Medvedev at USO last year than I’ve ever seen Novak receive anywhere outside Belgrade - the only other close 2nd being when Novak lost to Stan at the FO in ‘15.

Many saw his human side and it made their hearts go out to him.

So yeah - those losses raise Fed’s appeal for sure.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I'm sure he'd take less appeal over 2 or 3 of the AO 05, UO 09, UO 11, WIM 14 & WIM19 any second of the minute, 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52.18 weeks a year......

 

[abmk]

No, not the losses
But it did increase when he got involved in more battles past peak - USO 08 vs Andreev, the FO 09 rollercoaster (delpo&haas matches in particular), 09 Wim final etc.

 

[bigbadboaz]

The otherworldly appeal was there from the start, before he was even close to losing anything significant.

There may be some people that weren't bothered by the losing/choking/crying, but I don't think he'd be any less adored had none of those things happened.

 

[Fedforever]

I think it's more that he has a knack of connecting with people emotionally and therefore the losses seemed more painful because they were happening to him.

 

[BGod]

Being the greatest choker yes, most ordinary people choke plenty.

 

[duaneeo]

It may be debated who is GOAT, but it cannot be debated that he lost the most painful matches (significant, close, final set, in a great position to win) matches of any tennis player in history.

Oh yes it can.

 

[Krish0608]

Yes. One of the big reasons why he’s GOAT. He always showed up and always took his losses on the chin. The best example would be AO 2020. The guy had no business showing up for that semi against Novak. But he did, knowing fully well what awaited him. He’s the most human and the most courageous Tennis player I have ever seen. A human, but a God.

 

[Hoi Polloi]

How much of Federer's enduring appeal was because he showed he was human by losing more painful matches than any player in history?

It may be debated who is GOAT, but it cannot be debated that he lost the most painful matches (significant, close, final set, in a great position to win) matches of any tennis player in history.

That is a very good point.
People remember that on two or three occasions he simply had bad luck.

And they respect him even more for having had to battle two other ATGs who were 5 years younger than him - a monumental disadvantage.

 

[Tennfan123]

He was quite salty after some of those defeats, though Perhaps the public relate to that, too.
Most human indeed.

 

[Hoi Polloi]

He was quite salty after some of those defeats, though Perhaps the public relate to that, too.
Most human indeed.

He was sad, not salty.

 

[Mark-Touch]

How much of Federer's enduring appeal was because he showed he was human by losing more painful matches than any player in history?

It may be debated who is GOAT, but it cannot be debated that he lost the most painful matches (significant, close, final set, in a great position to win) matches of any tennis player in history.

I see what you are trying to do here, with your not so subtle post.
It is inaccurate though as worded.
He has not lost more painful matches than any player in history.
I personally can trump Federer in that department!

 

[Tennfan123]

He was sad, not salty.

Oh you might want to brush up on your Federer pressers.

 

[Tshooter]

 

[BeatlesFan]

Fed actually addressed this specific question (tough losses) in his presser today:

 

[Tshooter]

Oh you might want to brush up on your Federer pressers.

2011 USO. Soreloserer.

 

[DSH]

That is a very good point.
People remember that on two or three occasions he simply had bad luck.

And they respect him even more for having had to battle two other ATGs who were 5 years younger than him - a monumental disadvantage.

Agassi was more than 11 years older than Federer and imagine if it had been the other way around.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Yes. One of the big reasons why he’s GOAT. He always showed up and always took his losses on the chin. The best example would be AO 2020. The guy had no business showing up for that semi against Novak. But he did, knowing fully well what awaited him. He’s the most human and the most courageous Tennis player I have ever seen. A human, but a God.

Fed's courage is considerably underrated.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Most of the though losses of Big 3 members against other big 3 members will, in the end, make their legacy and their legend even bigger and greater, helping the narrative (whether we agree or not), stating they are the three greatest players of all time above everyone else.
All their famous matches help making them a single three headed monster.

 

[ollinger]

he lost the most painful matches (significant, close, final set, in a great position to win) matches of any tennis player in history.

For certain, he was as grand a loser as the game has ever seen

 

[ibbi]

Maybe a little. I think most of it is just the fact that he hung around at a high level for so long after his period of dominance ended.

Look how popular Novak got that night he was getting his ass handed to him in New York. If he stopped being the dominant player now but hung around for a while still competing with the best guys then all the folks who lived through his glory years would suddenly get behind the old dog.

Federer was the old dog for a decade thanks to Djokovic and Nadal. That is like nothing we have seen since Connors, and even that was pretty different.