As the 12th anniversary of Roger Federer’s 2011 US Open semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic approaches, tennis fans are being prompted to take a fresh look at the incident. A Swiss legend commented after the defeat.
In the semifinals at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic fought back from two sets behind and saved two match points in a row to win 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6 -2, 7-5 wins. After a long battle of 3 hours and 51 minutes. The decisive moment of the Serb’s victory came when he hit a brilliant forehand return winner on match point, and Federer served for the win 40-15, 5-3 in the deciding set.
Roger Federer expressed frustration at the Serb’s “lucky shot” that changed the course of the match when asked about the crucial moment in his post-match press conference.
“It’s disappointing because you feel like he’s mentally out of it. Just get a lucky shot at the end and go,” Federer said.
The Swiss also expressed his anger at Djokovic’s shot selection when facing match point.
“Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, come on. That’s how some guys grew up and played in junior games, and down 5-2 in the third game, they all start slapping the ball, and it’s all It happens for a reason. “That’s how they grow up in the low moments,” he said.
“I’ve never played like this. I believe hard work pays off because I might not always give my best in the beginning. For me, it’s hard to understand. How can you hit a shot like that on match point?” ? Maybe he’s been doing this for 20 years, so to him, it’s normal. You have to ask him,” he added.
One user shared a clip of the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s press conference on social media, highlighting the “pain” and “frustration” evident in the Swiss ace’s words and demeanor following the defeat.
“I will always remember Roger Federer’s press conference afterward. Absolute pain and frustration. Even the best sports get hurt sometimes,” the user wrote.
One fan believes that while the Swiss was understood and supported after the loss, Serena Williams expressed similar sentiments after her shock loss to Roberta Vinci in the 2015 US Open semi-finals, but did not Didn’t get the same courtesy.
“Please note that when Serena reacted like this after losing in the 2015 US Open semi-finals, she was such a jerk and a sore loser!” one fan commented.
Here are some fan reactions:
In 2011, Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer to win his first US Open title
Novak Djokovic repeated the feat at the 2011 U.S. Open a year after fending off two match points to defeat Roger Federer in five sets and third at the New York Major Advance to the finals.
In the rematch of last year’s final, Serbia turned the tide and defeated Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1 to win the US Open championship for the first time. In the process, the Belgrade native secured his fourth career Grand Slam title.
With this victory, Novak Djokovic also ended one of the greatest seasons in tennis history. During the year, the Serbian won three Grand Slam titles, five ATP Masters 1000 titles and became world number one for the first time. He also finished the year with an impressive 10-1 record, beating chief rivals Federer and Nadal.