While Roger has more US Open and Wimbledon titles, his Australian Open performances had been quite consistent.  From 2004-2014, Federer posted a 64-7 record at the Australian Open resulting in 4 titles, 1 runner-up finish, and 6 semifinal finishes.  That would be a bit like an NCAA basketball team doing no worse than the final four for 11 years.

Roger Federer’s Loss 

History aside, Federer’s loss obviously raises questions.  He did win Brisbane and had a strong ending to 2014, but this is easily Roger’s worst loss under Stefan Edberg.  I am not going to tell you what it means because no one knows what this loss means.  On one hand, the great champion Pete Sampras lost to Jaime Ygaza at the 1994 US Open in the midst of his prime.  Maybe Federer just had one of those days. On the other hand, Federer’s prime years were probably 2004-2007.  He is far enough past those years to be concerned for his future.  One thing that has always been in Federer’s favor is his ability to move on from losses.  If losses such as these start to eat at him, that I think will be when a countdown to retirement begins.