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, a Swiss former professional tennis player, achieved remarkable success in his career. He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 310 weeks, including 237 consecutive weeks, and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. Federer secured 103 singles titles on the ATP Tour, the second-most in the Open Era, and won 20 major men's singles titles along with six year-end championships, solidifying his legacy 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

In 1999, at the age of 18, Roger Federer was discharged from compulsory military service due to a chronic back problem.

1999: Lowest-ranked player to beat Federer

In 2017, Tommy Haas, ranked No. 302, became the lowest-ranked player to beat Federer since No. 407 Bjoern Phau in 1999.

2000: Runner-up at the Swiss Indoors

In 2000, Roger Federer finished runner-up at the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel, Switzerland.

2000: Possibility of Federer failing to win a title

The withdrawal from the 2016 season implied that 2016 would be Federer's first season since 2000 in which he failed to win a title.

2001: Runner-up at the Swiss Indoors

In 2001, Roger Federer finished runner-up at the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel, Switzerland.

2002: First Masters Title and Loss of Peter Carter

In 2002, Roger Federer won his first Masters title in Hamburg and then suffered the loss of his coach Peter Carter, marking a year of both triumph and tragedy.

2002: The first time since 2002 that Federer had not won any of the four Grand Slam titles.

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

July 2003: Dropped out of the top 4 for the first time since July 2003

In July 2003, was the last time before July 2013 that Federer dropped out of the top 4.

2004: Federer lost in the quarterfinals and relinquishing his No. 1 ranking

At the French Open, Roger Federer won his 700th tour match and 150th tour match on clay. However, he 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, Roger Federer missed the Swiss Indoors tournament due to injuries.

2005: Missed Swiss Indoors due to injuries

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

August 2006: Defeated by Cañas

In August 2006, prior to the loss in March 2007, was the last time he was defeated.

December 2007: Possible onset of mononucleosis

In December 2007, Roger Federer may have started suffering from mononucleosis, though he was only diagnosed in March 2008.

March 2008: Mononucleosis Diagnosis

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.

2008: Success hampered by mononucleosis and losses to Nadal

In 2008, Roger Federer's success was severely hampered by mononucleosis. He lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open and twice in Masters finals on clay to Nadal. However, he did capture three titles at Estoril, Halle, and Basel.

2010: Rivalry with Nadal

By 2010, Rafael Nadal had emerged as Roger Federer's main rival, marking a shift in the landscape of men's tennis.

2011: Lost in the US Open semifinals to Novak Djokovic

In 2011, Roger Federer lost in the semifinals of the US Open to Novak Djokovic in five sets 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: Losses to Djokovic and Nadal, lean year

The year 2011 was a lean year for Roger Federer. He was defeated by Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals and lost to Nadal in the French Open final. He also lost to Tsonga at Wimbledon. It marked the first time in his career that he had lost a Grand Slam match after winning the first two sets.

2013: Won Gerry Weber Open, worst Grand Slam tournament defeat since 2003

In 2013, Roger Federer's first and only title of the year came at the Gerry Weber Open. However, he suffered his worst Grand Slam tournament defeat since 2003 at Wimbledon.

2014: Shanghai Masters win and return to No. 2 ranking

In 2014, at the Shanghai Masters, Federer won his second Shanghai final, defeating Gilles Simon. This victory marked Federer's return to the No. 2 ranking for the first time since May 2013. He also won the Swiss Indoors for a record sixth title, defeating David Goffin in the final. He withdrew from the 2014 ATP Finals final due to a back injury.

October 2016: End of Top 8 Ranking Streak

Federer's streak of being ranked among the top eight players in the world ended on October 31, 2016, due to injuries.

2016: Ranking slip to No. 17

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

2016: Hiatus for Knee Surgery Recovery

In 2016, Roger Federer took a half-year hiatus to recover from knee surgery, a period of challenge and recovery in his career.

2016: First Knee Surgery

In 2016, Roger Federer underwent the first of three knee procedures, this one on his left knee. A key portion of tissue was removed during surgery.

2016: Announcement of season-ending knee injury recovery

On 26 July 2016, Federer announced that he would miss the Summer Olympics and the remainder of the 2016 season to recover fully from a knee injury.

2020: Australian Open Semifinals and Knee Surgery

In 2020, Roger Federer reached the Australian Open semifinals after saving seven match points in the quarterfinal. He lost to Djokovic in the semi-final, having sustained a groin injury. In February 2020, he underwent arthroscopic surgery for a right knee injury, causing him to withdraw from several tournaments.

2020: Second Knee Surgery

In 2020, Roger Federer underwent a second knee procedure on his left knee.

January 2021: Withdrawal from Australian Open

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

2021: Setback from Knee Injury

On June 10, 2020, due to a setback from his initial rehabilitation from the knee injury, Federer announced that he had to have an additional arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, vowing to return in 2021.

2022: Third Knee Surgery

In 2022, Roger Federer underwent a third knee procedure, this time on his right knee.

2022: Another Knee Surgery and US Open Withdrawal

On August 15, 2021, Federer announced that he underwent another knee surgery after a further injury during the grass-court season. He withdrew from the US Open, but he hoped to make a return to the tour in 2022.