Challenges Faced by Roger Federer: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Roger Federer's life and career.

Roger Federer is a retired Swiss professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 310 weeks, including 237 consecutive weeks, and finished the year as No. 1 five times. He won 103 ATP singles titles, the second-most in the Open Era, along with 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles and six ATP Finals titles, solidifying his legacy in the sport.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1999: Discharge from military

In 1999, the then-18-year-old Roger Federer was discharged from compulsory military service due to a chronic back problem.

1999: Drafted into Swiss Armed Forces

In 1999, upon turning 18, Roger Federer was drafted into compulsory military service in the Swiss Armed Forces. However, he was soon discharged due to a chronic back problem.

1999: Lowest-Ranked Player Defeat

In 2017, at Stuttgart, Tommy Haas (ranked No. 302) beat Roger Federer despite holding match points, the lowest-ranked player to beat him since No. 407 Bjoern Phau in 1999.

2000: Grand Slam Streak Begins

Roger Federer's withdrawal from the 2016 French Open broke his record of 65 consecutive participations in Grand Slam main draws, a streak that began at the 2000 Australian Open.

2000: First Season Without a Title Since 2000

Roger Federer's withdrawal from the 2016 season meant it would be his first season since 2000 in which he failed to win a title.

August 2002: Death of Peter Carter

On 1 August 2002, Federer suffered the devastating loss of his long-time Australian coach and mentor, Peter Carter, in a car crash in South Africa.

2002: First Masters Title and Loss of Coach

In 2002, Roger Federer won his first Masters title in Hamburg and suffered the loss of his coach Peter Carter.

2002: First time since 2002 without a Grand Slam title

In 2011, following his loss at the US Open, it marked the first time since 2002 that Roger Federer had not won any of the four Grand Slam titles, ending a long streak of success.

August 2003: Chance to Take No. 1 Ranking

In August 2003, Roger Federer had a chance to take over the No. 1 ranking for the first time from Andre Agassi if he made it to the Montreal final, but he lost in the semifinals.

2003: Exempted from Military Service

In 2003, Roger Federer was ruled "unsuitable" and was subsequently exempted from his military service obligation. Instead, he served in the civil protection force and was required to pay 3% of his taxable income.

2004: First time since 2004 Failed to reach Grand Slam semifinal

At the French Open, Federer failed to reach a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time since the 2004 French Open, ending a long streak of success.

2004: Missed Swiss Indoors

In 2004, Roger Federer missed the Swiss Indoors tournament due to injuries.

2005: Missed Swiss Indoors

In 2005, Roger Federer missed the Swiss Indoors tournament due to injuries.

December 2007: Possible onset of Mononucleosis

In March 2008, Roger Federer revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with mononucleosis and that he may have suffered from it as early as December 2007.

March 2008: Diagnosis of Mononucleosis

In March 2008, Roger Federer revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with mononucleosis.

2008: Loss Against Nadal in French Open Final

In 2008, Federer lost a set 6-0 against Nadal in the French Open final.

2008: Hampered by mononucleosis and lost in Grand Slam finals

In 2008, Roger Federer's performance was hampered by mononucleosis. He lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open and in two Grand Slam finals to Nadal. However, he captured three titles playing in 250-level events.

2009: US Open Final Appearance

At the US Open in 2015, Roger Federer advanced to his first final since 2009, ultimately losing to Novak Djokovic.

2009: Lost in the final of the Australian Open and struggled

In 2009, Roger Federer began the season with a loss to Nadal in the final of the Australian Open, followed by a period of struggle before the clay season.

2011: Lost to Novak Djokovic after winning the first two sets

In 2011, Roger Federer lost in the semifinals of the US Open to Novak Djokovic in five sets after winning the first two sets, marking the second time that year he lost after winning the first two sets.

2011: Defeated Djokovic at French Open but Lost to Nadal

The year 2011 was a lean year for Federer. He ended Djokovic's undefeated streak of 43 consecutive wins at the French Open semifinals, but then lost in the final to Rafael Nadal.

2012: Murray Defeats Federer at Summer Olympics

In the final of the 2012 Summer Olympics, Andy Murray defeated Roger Federer in straight sets, denying Federer a career Golden Slam.

2013: Won Gerry Weber Open and suffered worst Grand Slam defeat since 2003

In 2013, Roger Federer won the Gerry Weber Open but suffered his worst Grand Slam tournament defeat since 2003 at Wimbledon.

2016: Hiatus for Knee Surgery

In 2016, Roger Federer took a half-year hiatus to recover from knee surgery.

2016: Withdrawal from Olympics and Season

On July 26, 2016, Roger Federer announced his withdrawal from the Summer Olympics and the remainder of the season to recover from a knee injury. This marked his first season since 2000 without a title and a drop out of the top ten rankings for the first time in fourteen years.

2016: Lowest Ranking in Over Fifteen Years

Roger Federer's withdrawal from most of the 2016 season led his ranking to slip to No. 17 at the start of the 2017 season, his lowest in over fifteen years.

2020: Federer's 2020 Season and Knee Surgery

In 2020, Roger Federer reached the Australian Open semifinals but lost to Djokovic after sustaining a groin injury. He then underwent arthroscopic surgery for a right knee injury in February and withdrew from several tournaments to recover. A setback in rehabilitation led to another procedure, sidelining him for the rest of the year.

2020: Second Knee Surgery

In 2020, Roger Federer underwent the second of three procedures on his knees, on his left knee.

January 2021: Withdrawal from Australian Open

In January 2021, Roger Federer withdrew from the Australian Open because he was still recovering from knee surgery and because of the strict COVID-19 quarantine measures in Australia.

2021: Federer's Knee Injury and Tournament Withdrawals

In 2021, Federer withdrew from the Australian Open due to ongoing recovery from knee surgery and COVID-19 quarantine measures. He returned to the ATP Tour at the Qatar Open in March, but withdrew from the French Open due to knee problems and lost early in Halle.