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 Swiss former professional tennis player renowned for his remarkable career. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks, and concluded the year as No. 1 on five occasions. Federer secured 103 singles titles on the ATP Tour, the second-highest in the Open Era. His accomplishments include 20 major men's singles titles and six year-end championships, solidifying his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Sections (6)

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

1999: Discharge from Military Service Due to Back Problem

In 1999, Roger Federer was discharged from compulsory military service in Switzerland due to a chronic back problem, which would continue to affect his career.

1999: Lowest ranked player to beat Federer since 1999

In 2017, Federer suffered a defeat to Tommy Haas in Stuttgart, the lowest-ranked player (No. 302) to beat him since No. 407 Bjoern Phau in 1999.

2000: Drought since 2000

On July 26, 2016, Federer announced his withdrawal from the Summer Olympics and the remainder of the 2016 season to recover from a knee injury. This meant it would be Federer's first season since 2000 without a title and that he would drop out of the top ten for the first time in fourteen years.

2002: First Masters Title and Coach's Death

In 2002, Roger Federer won his first Masters title in Hamburg, defeating Marat Safin, and reached his first Masters final at the Miami event. On August 1, Federer's coach and mentor, Peter Carter, died in a car crash.

2002: No Grand Slam wins

In 2011, it was the first time since 2002 that Federer had not won any of the four Grand Slam titles.

2004: Failure at the French Open

At the French Open, Federer failed to reach a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time since the 2004 French Open, losing to Söderling in the quarterfinals and relinquishing his No. 1 ranking.

2004: Missed Swiss Indoors due to injuries

In 2004, Federer missed the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel, Switzerland due to injuries.

2005: Missed Swiss Indoors due to injuries

In 2005, Federer missed the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel, Switzerland due to injuries.

2006: Federer's Wins and Losses

In 2006, Roger Federer won one ATP 500 series event in Tokyo and captured the year-end championships for the third time, finishing the year as world No. 1. He only lost to Nadal four times in finals and to Andy Murray in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters. He finished the season on a 29-match winning streak.

December 2007: Possible Onset of Mononucleosis

Roger Federer suspected he may have contracted mononucleosis as early as December 2007, though it was not formally diagnosed until March 2008.

2007: Federer's Grand Slam Finals and Winning Streak

In 2007, Roger Federer reached all four Grand Slam singles finals, winning three of them. At the Australian Open, he became the first man since Björn Borg in 1980 to win a major without dropping a set. He captured his fourth Dubai crown, extending his winning streak to 41 matches. His streak ended in controversy at Indian Wells.

March 2008: Diagnosis of Mononucleosis

In March 2008, Roger Federer revealed that he had been diagnosed with mononucleosis and may have been suffering from it since as early as December 2007, significantly impacting his fitness.

2008: Federer's Season Hampered by Mononucleosis

In 2008, Roger Federer's success was hampered by mononucleosis. At the Australian Open, he lost in the semifinals to Djokovic, ending his record of 10 consecutive finals. He lost twice in Masters finals on clay to Nadal. Federer captured three titles playing in 250-level events. Federer was defeated by Nadal in two Grand Slam finals, the French Open and Wimbledon.

2009: Loss to Nadal

In 2009, Federer began the season with a loss to Nadal in the final of the Australian Open. Federer struggled following the defeat in Melbourne and entered the clay season without a title.

2011: Loss to Novak Djokovic in the US Open Semifinals

In 2011, at the US Open, Federer lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals after winning the first two sets. The loss meant that it was the first time since 2002 that Federer had not won any of the four Grand Slam titles.

2011: Mixed Results for Federer in 2011

The year 2011 was a lean year for Federer. He lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open to Djokovic. At the French Open, he ended Djokovic's streak but lost in the final to Nadal. At Wimbledon, he lost in the quarterfinals to Tsonga, marking the first time he lost a Grand Slam match after winning the first two sets.

2013: Federer's struggles

In 2013, Federer developed back injuries. His only title of the year came at the Gerry Weber Open. He suffered his worst Grand Slam tournament defeat since 2003 at Wimbledon, losing in the second round. This loss ended his record streak of 36 consecutive quarterfinals at Grand Slam tournaments.

2014: Victories and withdrawal from ATP Finals

In 2014, at the Shanghai Masters, Federer saved five match points against Leonardo Mayer and defeated Djokovic, ending his 28-match unbeaten run in China, and then beat Gilles Simon. He won the Swiss Indoors for a record sixth title, defeating David Goffin. Federer reached the finals of the 2014 ATP Finals but withdrew due to a back injury.

October 2016: Federer dropped out of top eight in October 2016

Roger Federer's continuous ranking among the top eight players in the world ended on October 31, 2016, due to injuries.

2016: Hiatus for Knee Surgery in 2016

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

2016: First Knee Surgery

In 2016, Roger Federer underwent the first of three knee procedures, this one on his left knee, to remove a key portion of tissue. Despite this, he returned to top-level play for years.

2016: Ranking slip to No. 17

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

2016: Withdrawal from Olympics and end of season

2020: Federer's 2020 Season and Knee Surgery

In 2020, Roger Federer reached the Australian Open semifinals but lost to Djokovic. He underwent arthroscopic surgery for a right knee injury in February and withdrew from several tournaments. This marked only the second year since his first title that Federer finished without winning a title.

2020: Second Knee Surgery

In 2020, Roger Federer underwent a second procedure on his left knee, continuing to face challenges related to his knee health.

January 2021: Federer withdrew from the Australian Open in January 2021

In January 2021, Roger Federer withdrew from the Australian Open due to ongoing recovery from knee surgery and strict COVID-19 quarantine measures in Australia.