What Roger Federer said was the reason he lost the US Open final in 2009, it ‘cost him the match’

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In 2009, Roger Federer came agonisingly close at the US Open to doing what no man in the Open Era had ever done before.

Federer was bidding to become the first to clinch six Grand Slam titles in a row at the same event.

He was denied the feat at Wimbledon the year prior, falling to Rafael Nadal in the 2008 final at the All England Club.

This time at Flushing Meadows, he was tasked with Juan Martin Del Potro, who defeated the Swiss legend in a five-set thriller, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.

Del Potro’s triumph finally snapped Federer’s incredible streak at the US Open, as the Argentine became the first from his country to hoist the title since Guillermo Vilas in 1977.

Following his defeat, the then-15-time major champion reflected on what could have been, and pinpointed where it went wrong.

Roger Federer reflected on his loss to Juan Martin Del Potro in 2009

In his post-match press conference, Federer said: “I thought it was a tough match from the start.

“I think even the first set was, you know, pretty close. I think both are getting used to the conditions. It was kind of tough starting around the 4:00 time because the shadows were moving in and stuff.

“I got off to a pretty good start and had things under control as well in the second set. I think that one cost me the match eventually, but I had many chances before that to make the difference.

“So it was tough luck today, but I thought Juan Martin played great. I thought he hung in there and gave himself chances, and in the end, was the better man.”

Roger Federer said six in a row at the US Open would have been a ‘dream’

A reporter asked Federer: “How disappointing is this not to get number six?”

The runner-up responded: “Five was great, four was great, too. Six would have been a dream, too.

“Can’t have them all. I’ve had an amazing summer and a great run. I’m not too disappointed, just because I thought I played another wonderful tournament.

“Had chances today to win, but couldn’t take them. It was unfortunate.”

Federer never reclaimed the US Open crown after his unsuccessful title defence in 2009, but went on to win five more majors to reach a total of 20 overall.