Roger Federer: I Once Won 24 Straight Finals, Now I’m Losing More Than Winning Them, But It’s OK

by Tom Gainey | August 13th, 2014, 12:24 pm
  • 38 Comments

Roger Federer commented on his struggles on ATP finals. The Swiss who returns to Cincinnati as a 5-time tournament champion talked about having lost four of his last five finals.

“I prefer to win finals than lose them,” said Federer. “Especially when I think back and I won 24 in a row at one point (2004-2005), I didn’t know how to lose a final. Now i’m losing them more often than winning them but it’s OK, i’m giving myself opportunities.”

“I’m very pleased how this year’s gone by,” he said. “I still have more goals and more hopes to try to win titles. When I do make my next final I clearly want to win it.”


Federer said seeking Tsonga lose so quickly does “scare” him a little but his had a couple of good practices despite some fatigue and a Cincinnati court that he says is a “bit slower” than Canada.

“I’ve gotten more consistent here over the last few years,” Federer assessed of playing Cincinnati. “The slice stays low for me here, the kick bounces up high. I don’t mind the humidity and the wind.”

Federe plays Canadian star Vasek Pospisil. Federer’s last Masters title came at Cincinnati two years ago.


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38 Comments for Roger Federer: I Once Won 24 Straight Finals, Now I’m Losing More Than Winning Them, But It’s OK

skeezer Says:

“Won 24 Straight Finals”
Will this ever be repeated by anyone?

August 13th, 2014 at 12:56 pm


FedExpress Says:

@skeezer

nope, cant see any1 doing this. but never say never.

astonishng fuigure. first to reach 24 finals and then win them all. most players have not even reached that many finals in their respected careers, let alone won them.

August 13th, 2014 at 1:34 pm


FedExpress Says:

same applies to nadal french open record

9 off 10. Simply amazing. Even as a fed fan u have to say quite a remarkeable achievement

August 13th, 2014 at 1:39 pm


madmax Says:

That’s a pretty amazing stat Roger! And one to be proud of for sure, amongst all the others you have in your tennis bag!

Come on Roger at Cincinnati! Can’t wait to watch you play!

August 13th, 2014 at 3:19 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

Fedexpress It is an amazing achievement,one of many for Roger,nice of you to say that about Rafa too,as one of his fans i really appreciate that….

August 13th, 2014 at 5:36 pm


RZ Says:

WOW! I know a lot of Fed’s records but somehow missed this one.

He added his 300th win at a Master’s 1000 tournament today. I couldn’t find any stats to see if that is a record.

August 13th, 2014 at 7:00 pm


Steve 27 Says:

For now RZ, we all know who is the Master 1000 GOAT.

August 13th, 2014 at 7:16 pm


Patson Says:

Sounds like Viva La Vida :)

August 13th, 2014 at 8:08 pm


skeezer Says:

For Fed, its;
viviendo el número uno

August 13th, 2014 at 9:02 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

I wanted to make sure Skeeze’s comment was on top. Now, I am convinced the world is a good place.

August 13th, 2014 at 10:05 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

9 off 10 is a far better accomplishment than the Arrogant One’s. Unparalleled dominance as never seen before in history of the sport.

It just shows you how one bad day for me changed history. Otherwise, it would have been 10 out 10. Just imagine that, for one moment. I play at RG for 10 years and not lose.

That’s what the Arrogant dreams are made of.

August 13th, 2014 at 10:08 pm


skeezer Says:

^yep keep yappin bad comedy.
Since you insist on math….how about Learning it? Its important. Whats better, 10 for 10 or 9-10.?
C’mon now twist it, you can do it…

August 13th, 2014 at 10:18 pm


Nirmal Kumar Says:

Especially when I think back and I won 24 in a row at one point (2004-2005)

These are unreal numbers from Roger. I hope future generation does not lose these numbers by only looking at the GS records.

August 13th, 2014 at 10:31 pm


skeezer Says:

“These are unreal numbers from Roger. I hope future generation does not lose these numbers by only looking at the GS records.”

Our resident bad comic Humble Rafa has already lost herself in these numbers. Pity. Truth hurts.

August 13th, 2014 at 10:34 pm


Leo Says:

One of the more under-rated accomplishments of Roger. That level of consistency has not been repeated yet. Now if he could just shoot at getting to 50-50 ;-)

August 13th, 2014 at 11:04 pm


Steve 27 Says:

No hawkeye in 2005, so the real number is 17.

August 13th, 2014 at 11:17 pm


roy Says:

is humble rafa a lady? is this true?

August 14th, 2014 at 1:42 am


Michael Says:

Ofcourse for any player, it would be despairing and disappointing having come along all the way to the finals and then go on to lose. That would be rather disgusting. But when it happens over and over again, a sense of desperation creeps in and you begin to cast doubt about yourself. The wheel has turned full circle in the case of Roger who was in the habit of winning in his prime (Here, I strongly detest Nirmal’s argument that most of those finals won by Roger happened only between 2004-2005 – That is ridiculous) Statistics recount that Roger was in his winning ways till 2009 and it was only in 2010, his perceptible decline started. But,still he is a force to reckon with even at this age of 33 which is phenomenal by any standards. He is making those finals in this so-called tough era and that is quite commendable. I think Roger is taking defeat in his stride and he is just enjoying what he is doing. He has achieving everything what a player could and that mentally relieves him. He is playing today only because he loves Tennis and would feel lost out if he quits the game. He wants to lengthen his career as far as he can and enjoy the name and fame as much as he could. He knows the World has quite a short memory and once he quits, he would recede away from public memory. So that keeps him playing

August 14th, 2014 at 2:44 am


Gordon Says:

There is a fine difference between truly loving what you do and truly loving the things you can get from being brilliant at what you do. That is what enables Roger Federer to still remain a factor at his age. He is #3 in the world for heaven’s sakes. We will have to wait 6 years to know for sure, but I seriously doubt Nadal and Djokovic will be in the top 10, let alone the top 3 when they have reached 33.

August 14th, 2014 at 7:57 am


elina Says:

Yes RZ, 300 Masters 1000 match wins is indeed another record milestone for Roger.

I cannot see anyone breaking this record in the next 10 years!

August 14th, 2014 at 10:29 am


madmax Says:

Humble Rafa Says:
9 off 10 is a far better accomplishment than the Arrogant One’s. Unparalleled dominance as never seen before in history of the sport.

It just shows you how one bad day for me changed history. Otherwise, it would have been 10 out 10. Just imagine that, for one moment. I play at RG for 10 years and not lose.

That’s what the Arrogant dreams are made of.

August 13th, 2014 at 10:08 pm

HR,

i must be the only one here who doesn’t find you funny. In the slightest.

August 14th, 2014 at 10:40 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Gordon your probably right,but wouldnt it be amazing if the were,and even at the ages of 27 and 28 they have been in the top 5 for almost 10 years now,and one has won a GS each year for the past 10 years,these players have been amazingly consistent,but yeah when you mention Roger hes certainly a one off??

August 14th, 2014 at 10:42 am


elina Says:

To be fair, Roger once won 24 of 24 straight finals.

Nadal has won all 9 of 9 French Open finals played.

Both truly phenomenal living legends.

The best rivalry of not just tennis, but any sport!

August 14th, 2014 at 11:35 am


RZ Says:

Here is the list of Masters 1000 wins from the ATP site. Rafa could pass Fed next year if he does well during the spring hardcourt and clay swings. So a double-wow for these two amazing players. BTW, nice to see Tommy Haas on this list. A sign of his longevity!

ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Wins Leaders (as of 13 August)

Player W-L
1 Roger Federer 300-89
2 Rafael Nadal 281-54
3 Novak Djokovic 220-54
4 Andre Agassi 209-73
5 Pete Sampras 190-70
6 Andy Roddick 157-70
7 David Ferrer 150-93
8 Andy Murray 148-63
9 Tommy Haas 142-102
10 Tomas Berdych 140-85

August 14th, 2014 at 11:41 am


RZ Says:

^ And Ferrer and Murray will probably pass Roddick.

August 14th, 2014 at 11:42 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Well said Elina,RZ thanks for that list of stats,and nice to see your favorite in at number 9,shame hes out injured though….

August 14th, 2014 at 11:46 am


courbon Says:

@ elina: 9 out of 10 ( lost to Soderling ). Still, amazing achievement, as you rightly said…

@ Hippy: Don’t worry-he will most likely play US Open.

August 14th, 2014 at 12:33 pm


RZ Says:

@Hippy Chic – thanks. Haas is back on his feet according to his latest FB post: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy-Haas/133144376702967?fref=photo
(As an aside, I live in the same city as him. How come I never cross paths with him? I just want a photo op!) :-)

Fortunately in the meantime my other favorites seem to be getting back on track. Murray announced that he’s finally back to training at 100%. And Fed has been reaching finals (if not winning them).

August 14th, 2014 at 1:03 pm


Daniel Says:

Ferrer and Murray will most likely pass Sampras. Murray almost garantee if he plays more than 3 years assuming he will get back to winning more than 15-20 masters match a year, which if they make quarters in all 9 is doable.

Djokovic as the younger of top 3 may end hos career woth less loss than Nadal but remains to be seen of e will habe more matches win and more titles. My guess is Nadal finishes with more titles but the three of them will have spreaed recorda. But they will definetely be top 3 in all categories: more titles and macth wins and less matches lost

August 14th, 2014 at 1:15 pm


Steve 27 Says:

Rafa was robbed in Miami final in 2005
Instead of 24, the real number is 17.

August 14th, 2014 at 6:31 pm


Leo Says:

300 wins and counting. I hope he keeps enjoying the battle. As long as he enjoys it, I am sure there will be more records that come falling…. wouldn’t it be cool if Roger has the record of most number of prestigious records?

August 14th, 2014 at 8:10 pm


skeezer Says:

“wouldn’t it be cool if Roger has the record of most number of prestigious records?”
Yes, and mostly he has.
Enjoy all!

August 15th, 2014 at 12:02 am


RZ Says:

Leo – I’m pretty sure that Roger holds the most records, but I can see a Tennis-X argument starting about what should be considered a prestigious record.

August 15th, 2014 at 11:10 am


Gee Says:

25 straight wins, not 24 straight final wins.

August 19th, 2014 at 7:59 pm


Polo Says:

Federer knows what he is talking about, Gee does not. Federer won all 24 consecutive finals that he was in. I always thought Gee is not very well informed, hence his bizarre, largely unfounded comments.

August 19th, 2014 at 9:14 pm


jane Says:

cool masters stat, RZ. thanks for posting it.

August 19th, 2014 at 9:34 pm

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