Losses to eventual grand slam champions: Interesting look at Federer and Nadal

[Engelworks]

Federer has lost in 29 slams since winning his first slam. Of those losses, 15 were to someone OTHER THAN the eventual champion:

USO 2003 vs Nalbandian – 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3
FO 2004 vs Kuerten – 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
FO 2010 vs Soderling – 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
W 2010 vs Berdych – 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
USO 2010 vs Djokovic – 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5
W 2011 vs Tsonga – 3-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
AO 2012 vs Nadal – 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4
FO 2012 vs Djokovic – 6-4, 7-5, 6-3
USO 2012 vs Berdych – 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
AO 2013 vs Murray – 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2
FO 2013 vs Tsonga – 7-5, 6-3, 6-3
W 2013 vs Stakhovsky – 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6
USO 2013 vs Robredo – 7-6, 6-3, 6-4
AO 2014 vs Nadal – 7-6, 6-3, 6-3
FO 2014 vs Gulbis – 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

Nadal has lost in 20 slams since winning his first slam. Of those losses, 13 were to someone OTHER THAN the eventual champion:

W 2005 vs Muller – 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
USO 2005 vs Blake – 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
USO 2006 vs Youzhny – 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-1
AO 2007 vs Gonzalez – 6-2, 6-4, 6-3
USO 2007 vs Ferrer – 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2
AO 2008 vs Tsonga – 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
USO 2008 vs Murray – 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4
FO 2009 vs Soderling – 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6
AO 2010 vs Murray – 6-3, 7-6, 3-0 RET
AO 2011 vs Ferrer – 6-4, 6-2, 6-3
W 2012 vs Rosol – 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
W 2013 vs Darcis – 7-6, 7-6, 6-4
W 2014 vs Kyrgios – 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3

 

[Deleted member 733170]

Will be interesting to see how this evolves when Nadal is firmly entrenched in the downturn of his career. If he decides to keep battling that is, when the going gets tough.

 

[Pouet156]

Among the 15 four Fed, 4 came to Nadal and Djokovic who are still big slam contender.

That' even fewer against journeymen.

 

[Engelworks]

Of particular interest I thought was Federer's 6-year streak from 2004-2010 of not losing to anyone but the eventual champion.

 

[McEnroeisanartist]

Of particular interest I thought was Federer's 6-year streak from 2004-2010 of not losing to anyone but the eventual champion.

This, one of his most remarkable achievements. 23 consecutive Grand Slams where either he or the guy who beat Federer won the Grand Slam. Sampras and Nadal don't come anywhere near this.