Editing Roger Federer (section)

==Tennis career==
===1990s and 2000s===
====1995–1998: Junior years====
{{Main|Roger Federer junior years}}
In 1995, at age 13, Federer won the U14 Swiss national junior championship and was subsequently invited to train at the prestigious National Tennis Centre in the French-speaking [[Écublens, Vaud|Écublens]], where he enrolled shortly after his 14th birthday.<ref name=London/><ref name=bio>{{Cite web |url=https://history-biography.com/roger-federer/ |title=Roger Federer – History and Biography |website=history-biography.com |date=11 June 2018 |accessdate=16 December 2023 |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528062500/https://history-biography.com/roger-federer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There, he had the opportunity to combine three hours of tennis training per day along with education, but Federer had little interest in studying and struggled to balance his education with his tennis commitments.<ref name=Making1/> Speaking little French and struggling with living away from home, Federer found his first months at Écublens depressing.<ref name=Making1/> He was the youngest player in the group and also felt singled out as the "Swiss German" by many of the students and staff at the academy, experienced mild bullying, and was often on the verge of packing his bags and returning home.<ref name=Making1/> Federer credits this difficult period of his life as the reason for his independent spirit.<ref name=Making1/>

Federer played his first ITF junior match in July 1996, at the age of 14, at a grade-2 tournament in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/roger-federer/800202678/sui/jt/s/activity/ |title=Roger Federer Junior Activity |website=www.itftennis.com |access-date=29 December 2014 |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231120512/https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/roger-federer/800202678/sui/jt/s/activity |url-status=live }}</ref> He then played in the 1996 NEC World Youth Cup Final in [[Zürich]] against tennis players like [[Lleyton Hewitt]].<ref name=15anos>{{cite web |url=https://as.com/tenis/2019/07/02/wimbledon/1562058129_584294.html |title=Cómo eran Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Serena Williams y Venus con 15 años? |trans-title=What were Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Serena Williams and Venus like when they were 15 years old? |language=es |website=as.com |date=2 July 2019 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215023748/https://as.com/tenis/2019/07/02/wimbledon/1562058129_584294.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Hewitt>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/federers-special-memories-of-hewitt/v6i1srzl4 |title=Federer's special memories of Hewitt |website=www.sbs.com.au |date=16 January 2016 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/federers-special-memories-of-hewitt/v6i1srzl4 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 1997, at age 15, Federer won both the indoor and outdoor U18 Swiss national championship, defeating the [[Yves Allegro]] who was three years older than him, in both finals.<ref name=16anos>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/774 |title=Roger Federer As A 16 Year Old |website=www.worldtennismagazine.com |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/http://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/774 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May, Federer won his first-ever ITF junior title on the clay courts of a second-category tournament in [[Prato]], doing so without the loss of a set.<ref name=Prato>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/roger-federer-wins-his-first-itf-title-this-day-that-year |title=Roger Federer wins his first ITF title: This day, that year |website=www.sportskeeda.com |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/roger-federer-wins-his-first-itf-title-this-day-that-year |url-status=live }}</ref> In September, Federer earned the first 12 ATP points of his career in a four-week Swiss [[Satellite tournament#Tennis|satellite tournament]] in [[Bossonnens]], thus making his debut in the ATP rankings at No. 803, just five spots ahead of future rival Lleyton Hewitt.<ref name=16anos/><ref name=Prato/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/september-22-1997-the-day-roger-federer-earned-his-first-ranking-points-291511.html |title=22 September 1997: The day Roger Federer earned his first ranking points |website=www.tennismajors.com |date=22 September 2023 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011145/https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/september-22-1997-the-day-roger-federer-earned-his-first-ranking-points-291511.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

His main accomplishments as a junior player came at Wimbledon in 1998, when he won both the [[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Boys' singles|Boys' singles]] final over [[Irakli Labadze]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/roll_of_honour/boys-singles.html|publisher=The Championships, Wimbledon|title=Boys' Singles Finals 1947–2011|access-date=5 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208094938/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/roll_of_honour/boys-singles.html|archive-date=8 December 2014}}</ref> and the [[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Boys' doubles|Boys' doubles]] final, teamed with [[Olivier Rochus]], defeating the team of [[Michaël Llodra]] and [[Andy Ram]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/roll_of_honour/boys-doubles.html |publisher=The Championships, Wimbledon |title=Boys' Doubles Finals 1947–2011 |access-date=5 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208095044/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/roll_of_honour/boys-doubles.html |archive-date=8 December 2014}}</ref> Federer then reached the [[1998 US Open – Boys' singles|US Open Junior]] final, which he lost to [[David Nalbandian]]. This was the only occasion Federer lost a final on the junior circuit.<ref name=Prato/> He then brought his junior career to an end at the prestigious [[Junior Orange Bowl (tennis)|Junior Orange Bowl]] in [[Miami]], where he defeated Nalbandian in the semifinals and [[Guillermo Coria]] in the final.<ref name=Prato/> By the end of 1998 he had attained the No. 1 junior world ranking and was named ITF Junior World Champion.<ref name=Making2>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1251765-wimbledon-2012-roger-federer-the-making-of-a-champion-part-2 |title=Roger Federer: The Making of a Champion, Part 2 |website=bleacherreport.com |date=9 July 2012 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509143124/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1251765-wimbledon-2012-roger-federer-the-making-of-a-champion-part-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> He ended his junior career at the end of 1998 with a high ranking of No. 1 in singles and No. 7 in doubles (both achieved on 31 December 1998) and a win–loss record of 78–20 in singles and 36–21 in doubles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Roger Federer junior overview|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/roger-federer/800202678/sui/jt/s/overview/|access-date=21 August 2020|website=ITF Tennis|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231120523/https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/roger-federer/800202678/sui/jt/s/overview|url-status=live}}</ref>

<u>Junior Grand Slam results – Singles:</u>

Australian Open: SF (1998)<br />
French Open: 1R ([[1998 French Open – Boys' singles|1998]])<br />
Wimbledon: '''W''' ([[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Boys' singles|1998]])<br />
US Open: F ([[1998 US Open – Boys' singles|1998]])

<u>Junior Grand Slam results – Doubles:</u>

Australian Open: SF (1998)<br />
French Open: 1R ([[1998 French Open – Boys' doubles|1998]])<br />
Wimbledon: '''W''' ([[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Boys' doubles|1998]])<br />
US Open: 1R (1998)

====1998–2002: Early professional career====
{{Main|Roger Federer's early career}}
[[File:FEDERER Roger-24x30-1998.jpg|thumb|upright|Federer in 1998, the first year he joined the ATP Tour]]
In July 1998, an almost 17-year-old Federer made his ATP debut at the [[1998 Rado Open|Swiss Open Gstaad]], in his home country of Switzerland, losing to No. 88 [[Lucas Arnold Ker]] in the first round.<ref name=Gstaad>{{Cite web|title=7 July 1998: Roger Federer makes a debut on the ATP Tour in Gstaad|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/ATP_Tennis/45135/july-7-1998-roger-federer-makes-a-debut-on-the-atp-tour-in-gstaad/|access-date=8 June 2020|website=Tennis World USA|date=7 July 2017|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608000056/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/ATP_Tennis/45135/july-7-1998-roger-federer-makes-a-debut-on-the-atp-tour-in-gstaad/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennismajors.com/roger-federer-retires/august-1998-17-year-old-federer-makes-his-debut-in-a-tennis-world-almost-unrecognisable-compared-to-today-445963.html |title=17-year-old Federer makes his debut in a tennis world almost unrecognisable compared with today |website=www.tennismajors.com |date=15 September 2022 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210072132/https://www.tennismajors.com/roger-federer-retires/august-1998-17-year-old-federer-makes-his-debut-in-a-tennis-world-almost-unrecognisable-compared-to-today-445963.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that year, he won his first ATP match against [[Guillaume Raoux]] in [[1998 Grand Prix de Tennis de Toulouse – Singles|Toulouse]].<ref name=transformation>{{cite web |url=https://www.thelist.com/1022392/the-transformation-of-roger-federer/ |title=The Transformation Of Roger Federer |website=www.thelist.com |date=10 March 2023 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609035556/https://www.thelist.com/1022392/the-transformation-of-roger-federer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He then received a wildcard to the [[1998 Davidoff Swiss Indoors – Singles|1998 Swiss Indoors]] in his hometown in Basel, where he lost in the first round to former world No. 1 [[Andre Agassi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/61301/october-6-1998-roger-federer-loses-to-andre-agassi-in-basel-debut/ |title=Roger Federer loses to Andre Agassi in Basel debut |website=www.tennisworldusa.org |date=6 October 2018 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115214241/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/61301/october-6-1998-roger-federer-loses-to-andre-agassi-in-basel-debut/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He finished 1998 ranked 301st in the world.<ref name=Making2/>

In April 1999, Federer made his Davis Cup debut in a [[1999 Davis Cup World Group#Switzerland vs. Italy|World Group first round against Italy]], defeating [[Davide Sanguinetti]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/53386/april-2-1999-roger-federer-makes-successful-davis-cup-debut/ |title=Roger Federer makes successful Davis Cup debut |website=www.tennisworldusa.org |date=2 April 2018 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=5 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605212830/http://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/53386/april-2-1999-roger-federer-makes-successful-davis-cup-debut/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August, Federer won his first-ever professional title on the Challenger tour in [[Open Castilla y León|Segovia]], pairing with [[Sander Groen]] to beat [[Ota Fukárek]] and [[Alejandro Hernández (tennis)|Alejandro Hernández]] in the final, which was played on Federer's 18th birthday.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2445170-federer-won-eerste-titel-met-nederlandse-tennisnomade-hij-was-nog-een-kind |title=Federer won eerste titel met Nederlandse tennisnomade: 'Hij was nog een kind' |trans-title=Federer won first title with Dutch tennis nomad: 'He was still a child' |language=nl |website=nos.nl |date=19 September 2022 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=3 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103221748/https://nos.nl/artikel/2445170-federer-won-eerste-titel-met-nederlandse-tennisnomade-hij-was-nog-een-kind |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite losing in the first rounds of both the [[1999 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]] and [[1999 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]] and having just turned 18, he entered the world’s Top 100 for the first time on 20 September 1999.<ref name=Making2/> Later that month, Federer won his first and only singles ATP Challenger title in [[Brest, France|Brest]], defeating [[Max Mirnyi]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/a-teenage-federer-wins-sole-atp-challenger-in-france |title=A teenage Federer wins sole ATP Challenger in France |website=www.tennis.com |date=24 October 2019 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115214332/https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=Tennis&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1727015030955397140&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis.com%2Fbaseline%2Farticles%2Fa-teenage-federer-wins-sole-atp-challenger-in-france&sessionId=d667d039d213e02ef1da16e58cd5d368d65d0415&siteScreenName=Tennis&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px |url-status=live }}</ref> In his first full year as a professional, Federer jumped up to world No. 64,<ref name=bio/> and in doing so at 18 years and four months of age, he became the youngest player in the year-ending world top 100.<ref name=Card/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-Federer |title=Roger Federer – biography |website=www.britannica.com |date=19 November 2023 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630014032/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-Federer |url-status=live }}</ref>

His first Grand Slam win came at the [[2000 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], where he defeated former World No. 2 [[Michael Chang]].<ref name=15anos/> His first singles final came at the [[2000 Open 13|Marseille Open]] in February 2000, where he lost to fellow Swiss [[Marc Rosset]].<ref name=Card>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/playerCard?player=Federer |title=ESPN.com: Federer PlayerCard |work=ESPN |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126043409/http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/playerCard?player=Federer |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer then entered the Top 50 in March and ended 2000 ranked 29th in the world.<ref name=Making2/> Federer made his [[Summer Olympics|Olympic]] debut at [[Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's singles|Sydney]], where he surprised many by reaching the semifinals, where he lost to [[Tommy Haas]] and then to [[Arnaud Di Pasquale]] in the bronze medal match.<ref name=Card/><ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC World Service – Sportshour – Federer on his fading hopes of Olympic singles gold|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/kvZ2BNMlgnWvvt845sS53P/federer-on-his-fading-hopes-of-olympic-singles-gold|access-date=7 June 2020|website=BBC|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608185915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/kvZ2BNMlgnWvvt845sS53P/federer-on-his-fading-hopes-of-olympic-singles-gold|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2001, Federer won the [[2001 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]] representing Switzerland, along with world No. 1 [[Martina Hingis]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hingis, Federer win Hopman Cup title over U.S.|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/2001/01/06/hopman_saturday_ap/|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=6 January 2001|access-date=12 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190622/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/2001/01/06/hopman_saturday_ap/|archive-date=29 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Owen|last=Daniel|title=Hopman Cup: Hingis ends jinx|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/2996087/Hopman-Cup-Hingis-ends-jinx.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=7 January 2001|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518072307/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/2996087/Hopman-Cup-Hingis-ends-jinx.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The duo defeated the American pair of [[Monica Seles]] and [[Jan-Michael Gambill]] in the finals. Federer later said that his experience with Hingis "definitely helped me to become the player I am today."<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger Federer, Belinda Bencic claim the Hopman Cup for Switzerland with victory over Germany|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/tennis/roger-federer-puts-one-swiss-hand-on-hopman-cup-with-win-over-alexander-zverev-ng-b88707385z|publisher=Perth Now|date=6 January 2018|access-date=7 January 2018|archive-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108063100/https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/tennis/roger-federer-puts-one-swiss-hand-on-hopman-cup-with-win-over-alexander-zverev-ng-b88707385z|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2001, Federer won his first singles title at the [[2001 Milan Indoor]] tournament, where he defeated [[Julien Boutter]] in the final.<ref name=Card/><ref>{{cite web|title=Federer beats Boutter in Milan for first title|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=federer-beats-boutter-in-milan-for-first-title-2001-02-06|work=[[Hürriyet Daily News]]|date=6 February 2001|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103171219/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=federer-beats-boutter-in-milan-for-first-title-2001-02-06|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer then reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the [[2001 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]], losing to former world No. 2 and eventual finalist [[Àlex Corretja]].<ref name=65streak>{{Cite web|title=Looking back at each step of Roger Federer's 65-Slam run (Part 1)|url=https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/07/ailing-federer-pulls-out-french-open-ending-run-65-straight-slam-appearances/58565/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Tennis.com|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608000057/https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/07/ailing-federer-pulls-out-french-open-ending-run-65-straight-slam-appearances/58565/|url-status=live}}</ref> His international breakthrough came at the [[2001 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon Championships]], when the 19-year-old Federer faced the four-time defending champion and all-time Grand Slam leader [[Pete Sampras]] in the fourth round. Federer defeated the No. 1 seed in a five-set match to snap Sampras' 31-match win streak at Wimbledon before losing in the quarter-finals to [[Tim Henman]].<ref name=Card/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/474863/roger-federer-s-list-of-achievements |title=Roger Federer's list of achievements |website=www.rnz.co.nz |date=16 September 2022 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/474863/roger-federer-s-list-of-achievements |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Selena|last=Roberts|title=Sampras, King of Wimbledon, Is Dethroned|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/03/sports/tennis-sampras-king-of-wimbledon-is-dethroned.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 July 2001|access-date=2 November 2017|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103045439/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/03/sports/tennis-sampras-king-of-wimbledon-is-dethroned.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Roger federer 2002 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Federer at the [[2002 U.S. Open - Men's Singles|2002 US Open]]]]
In 2002, Federer reached his first Masters final at the [[2002 NASDAQ-100 Open – Men's singles|Miami event]], where he lost to [[Andre Agassi]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Miami 2002, Roger Federer recalls best second win ever|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/53298/miami-2002-roger-federer-recalls-best-second-win-ever/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Tennis World USA|date=April 2018|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608000058/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/53298/miami-2002-roger-federer-recalls-best-second-win-ever/|url-status=live}}</ref> but then won his first Masters title in [[2002 Hamburg Masters – Singles|Hamburg]], defeating [[Marat Safin]] in the final; the victory put him in the top 10 for the first time.<ref name=Hamburg02>{{Cite web|title=Hamburg 2002: Roger Federer beats Marat Safin for first Masters 1000 title|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/ATP_Tennis/49381/hamburg-2002-roger-federer-beats-marat-safin-for-first-masters-1000-title/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Tennis World USA|date=22 November 2017|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803095749/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/ATP_Tennis/49381/hamburg-2002-roger-federer-beats-marat-safin-for-first-masters-1000-title/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 August, Federer suffered the devastating loss of his long-time Australian coach and mentor, [[Peter Carter (tennis)|Peter Carter]], in a car crash in South Africa.<ref name=Making2/> Although he suffered first-round losses in the three tournaments he entered immediately after Carter's death, Federer gathered himself and began playing with more determination than ever after that.<ref name=tragic>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/august-1-2002-the-day-federers-former-coach-peter-carter-passed-away-tragically-440983.html |title=The day Federer's former coach Peter Carter passed away tragically |website=www.tennismajors.com |date=1 August 2023 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112202553/https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/august-1-2002-the-day-federers-former-coach-peter-carter-passed-away-tragically-440983.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After reaching the fourth round of the [[2002 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], he won the [[2002 CA-TennisTrophy – Singles|Vienna Open]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/sports/2002/oct/14fed.htm |title=Federer overpowers Novak to capture Vienna title |website=m.rediff.com |date=14 October 2002 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015095819/https://m.rediff.com/sports/2002/oct/14fed.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> jumping from No. 13 at the end of September to No. 7 in the rankings by early November, which allowed him to qualify  for the year-end [[2002 Tennis Masters Cup – Singles|Masters Cup]] for the first time, where he won all of his matches in the round-robin stage before losing to then-world no. 1 and eventual champion Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/124660/atp-finals-flashback-roger-federer-falls-to-lleyton-hewitt/ |title=ATP Finals Flashback: Roger Federer falls to Lleyton Hewitt |website=www.tennisworldusa.org |date=26 November 2022 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205111823/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/124660/atp-finals-flashback-roger-federer-falls-to-lleyton-hewitt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At age 21, he ended 2002 ranked as the world No. 6.<ref name=Hamburg02/>

====2003: Grand Slam breakthrough at Wimbledon====
{{Main|2003 Roger Federer tennis season}}
In 2003, Federer won his first Grand Slam singles title at [[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Men's Singles|Wimbledon]], beating [[Andy Roddick]] in the semifinals and [[Mark Philippoussis]] in the final.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 July 2003|title=Inspired Federer wins Wimbledon|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/wimbledon_2003/3049382.stm|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425040349/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/wimbledon_2003/3049382.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The big interview: Roger Federer|newspaper=[[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/africa-travel/south-africa/cape-town/the-big-interview-roger-federer-c090tpm600t|access-date=13 June 2021|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613175514/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-big-interview-roger-federer-c090tpm600t|url-status=live}}</ref> In doing so, he joined the likes of [[Björn Borg]], [[Pat Cash]] and [[Stefan Edberg]] as the only singles players to win both the junior and senior Wimbledon titles.<ref name=Prato/> In August he 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. However, he fell in the semifinals to Roddick, in a final-set tiebreaker, leaving him 120 points behind Agassi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles|title=Rankings &#124; Singles &#124; ATP Tour &#124; Tennis|website=ATP Tour|access-date=26 July 2019|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322123416/https://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles|url-status=live}}</ref> This, coupled with early losses to [[David Nalbandian]] at [[2003 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters – Singles|Cincinnati]] and the [[2003 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], denied Federer the chance to become No. 1 in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Meadows|first=Stephen Bierley at Flushing|date=6 September 2003|title=Federer departs amid charges of American favouritism|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/sep/06/tennis.usopentennis2003|access-date=7 June 2020|website=The Guardian|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607234325/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/sep/06/tennis.usopentennis2003|url-status=live}}</ref>

Federer won his first and only doubles Masters event in [[2003 NASDAQ-100 Open – Men's doubles|Miami]] with Max Mirnyi, beating the pair of [[Leander Paes]] and [[David Rikl]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/sports/2003/mar/30paes.htm |title=Paes, Rikl beaten in final |website=m.rediff.com |date=30 March 2003 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://m.rediff.com/sports/2003/mar/30paes.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He then reached the singles final of the Rome Masters on clay, which he lost to [[Félix Mantilla (tennis)|Félix Mantilla]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3018455.stm |title=Mantilla masters Federer in Rome |website=news.bbc.co.uk |date=11 May 2003 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011145/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3018455.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer reached nine finals on the ATP Tour and won seven of them on four different surfaces, including the 500 series events at [[2003 Dubai Tennis Championships – Singles|Dubai]] and [[2003 CA-TennisTrophy – Singles|Vienna]], defeating [[Jiří Novák]] and [[Carlos Moyá]] in the respective finals.<ref name="RF2003">{{cite web|title=Roger Federer – 2003 Singles Playing Activity|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2003&m=s&e=0|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112034425/http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2003&m=s&e=0|archive-date=12 January 2012|access-date=8 December 2014|publisher=[[ATP World Tour]]}}</ref> Lastly, Federer won the [[2003 Tennis Masters Cup – Singles|year-end championships]] over Andre Agassi, finishing the year as world No. 2, narrowly behind Andy Roddick by only 160 points.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heritage|url=https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/heritage|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Nitto ATP Finals|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801143405/https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/heritage|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2004: Imposing dominance====
{{Main|2004 Roger Federer tennis season}}
In 2004, Federer won three Grand Slam singles titles, becoming the first person to do so in a single season since [[Mats Wilander]] in 1988. His first major hard-court title came at the [[2004 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]] over [[Marat Safin]], making him the world No. 1 for the first time.<ref name=newno1>{{Cite news|date=1 February 2004|title=Majestic Federer takes title|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/australian_open_2004/3446761.stm|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806172719/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/australian_open_2004/3446761.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He then won the [[2004 Pacific Life Open – Men's singles|Indian Wells]] on hardcourts and the [[2004 Hamburg Masters – Singles|Hamburg Masters]] on clay, beating Tim Henman and [[Guillermo Coria]] in the finals respectively, snapping the latter's 31-match winning streak on clay.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3719229.stm |title=Federer ends Coria run |website=news.bbc.co.uk |date=16 May 2004 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3719229.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer won his [[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|second Wimbledon crown]] over [[Andy Roddick]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Newbery|first=Piers|date=4 July 2004|title=Federer fights back to retain title|work=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3865037.stm|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=2 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002212243/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3865037.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[Tennis at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's singles|Summer Olympics]] in [[Athens]], Federer was the clear favorite after claiming the world No. 1 ranking for the first time earlier in the year.<ref name=newno1/> However, he lost in the second round to 18-year-old [[Tomáš Berdych]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 August 2004|title=Federer crashes out|work=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics_2004/tennis/3572960.stm|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=28 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040828192321/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics_2004/tennis/3572960.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He then won the [[2004 Canada Masters – Singles|Canada Masters]], defeating Roddick in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/118154/canada-flashback-roger-federer-wins-first-canada-masters-over-andy-roddick/ |title=Canada Flashback: Roger Federer wins first Canada Masters over Andy Roddick |website=www.tennisworldusa.org |date=4 August 2004 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/118154/canada-flashback-roger-federer-wins-first-canada-masters-over-andy-roddick/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2004 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], Federer defeated the 2001 champion, [[Lleyton Hewitt]], for his first title there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/sep/13/tennis.usopentennis20044 |title=Federer proves a class apart in demolition job |website=www.theguardian.com |date=13 September 2004 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081059/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/sep/13/tennis.usopentennis20044 |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer also won his first tournament on home soil by capturing the [[Swiss Open (tennis)|Swiss Open]] in Gstaad and he wrapped up the year by winning the year-end championships for the second time after beating Hewitt in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/nov/22/tennis |title=Federer is master of the world |website=www.theguardian.com |date=22 November 2004 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054527/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/nov/22/tennis |url-status=live }}</ref>

His 11 singles titles were the most of any player in two decades, and his record of 74–6 was the best since [[Ivan Lendl]] in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com/record?recordId=SeasonTitles |title=Most Titles in Single Season |website=www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com/record?recordId=SeasonTitles |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2005: Consolidating dominance====
{{Main|2005 Roger Federer tennis season}}
In 2005, Federer failed to reach the finals of the first two Grand Slam tournaments, losing the [[2005 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]] semifinal to eventual champion Safin after holding match points, and the French Open semifinal to eventual champion [[Rafael Nadal]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bierley|first=Stephen|date=3 June 2005|title=Tennis: Nadal beats Federer in battle of wills|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/04/tennis.frenchopen2005|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305153154/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/04/tennis.frenchopen2005|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Federer reestablished his dominance on grass, winning [[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]] for a third time by defeating [[Andy Roddick]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 July 2005|title=Federer seals Wimbledon hat-trick|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4643611.stm|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=2 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002213732/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4643611.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2005 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], Federer defeated [[Andre Agassi]] in the latter's last major final.<ref name=RF2005>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2005&m=s&e=0|title=Roger Federer – 2005 Singles Playing Activity|publisher=[[ATP World Tour]]|access-date=8 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709073147/http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2005&m=s&e=0|archive-date=9 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=York|first=Stephen Bierley in New|date=13 September 2005|title=Federer beats Agassi to claim US crown|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/sep/13/tennis.usopentennis2005|access-date=7 June 2020|website=The Guardian|archive-date=21 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021044104/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/sep/13/tennis.usopentennis2005|url-status=live}}</ref>

Federer also took four Masters wins: Indian Wells, Miami and Cincinnati on hard court, and Hamburg on clay.<ref name=RF2005/> The win in Miami was particularly noteworthy as it was the first final contested between Federer and Nadal. Federer recovered from two sets down to take the final in five sets. Furthermore, Federer won two ATP 500 series events at Rotterdam and Dubai.<ref name=RF2005/> Federer lost the year-end championships to [[David Nalbandian]] in five sets while playing through a foot injury that sidelined him for almost the rest of the season after September.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4336738.stm|title=Federer suffers ligament injury|date=13 October 2005|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518115144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4336738.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He maintained his position as No. 1 for the entire season.<ref name=RF2005/>

That year, Federer won 11 singles titles, which tied his mark during the 2004 season. Federer's 81 match victories were the most since [[Pete Sampras]] in 1993, and his record of 81–4 (95.2%) remains the third-best winning percentage in the Open Era behind [[John McEnroe]]'s 1984 and [[Jimmy Connors]]'s 1974.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com/bestSeasons |title=Best Seasons – winning percentage |website=www.ultimatetennisstatistics.com |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208130508/https://ultimatetennisstatistics.com/bestSeasons |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2006: Career-best season====
{{Main|2006 Roger Federer tennis season}}
The 2006 season was statistically the best season of Federer's career. In November 2011, Stephen Tignor, chief editorial writer for [[Tennis.com]], ranked Federer's 2006 season as statistically the second-best season of all time during the Open Era, behind [[Rod Laver]]'s Grand Slam year of 1969.<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Tignor|title=Final thoughts|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2011/11/final-thoughts/45347/|publisher=[[Tennis.com]]|date=28 November 2011|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629002127/http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2011/11/final-thoughts/45347/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Amazing Roger Federer.jpg|thumb|Federer hits a forehand at the 2006 US Open, where he became the first man in history to achieve the Wimbledon-US Open double for three consecutive seasons.]]
Federer won 12 singles titles (the most of any player since Thomas Muster in 1995 and John McEnroe in 1984) and had a match record of 92–5 (the most wins since Ivan Lendl in 1982). Federer reached the finals in an astounding 16 of the 17 tournaments he entered during the season.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=VAVEL.com|date=28 December 2015|title=Greatest Seasons: Roger Federer 2006|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2015/12/28/583678-greatest-seasons-roger-federer-2006.html|access-date=7 June 2020|website=VAVEL|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607215138/https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2015/12/28/583678-greatest-seasons-roger-federer-2006.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, Federer won three Grand Slam singles titles and reached the final of the other, with the only loss coming against Nadal in the [[2006 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]].<ref name=":2" /> This was Federer and Nadal's first meeting in a Grand Slam final. He was the first man to reach all four finals in a calendar year since Rod Laver in 1969. Federer defeated Nadal in the [[2006 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon Championships]] final. In the [[2006 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], Federer defeated [[Marcos Baghdatis]],<ref name="RF2006">{{cite web|title=Roger Federer – 2006 Singles Playing Activity|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2006&m=s&e=0|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209225833/http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2006&m=s&e=0|archive-date=9 February 2012|access-date=8 December 2014|publisher=[[ATP World Tour]]}}</ref> and at the [[2006 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], Federer defeated 2003 champion Roddick.<ref name=":2" /> In addition, Federer reached six Masters finals, winning four on hard surfaces and losing two on clay to Nadal. Federer, however, consistently pushed Nadal to the limit on clay throughout the season taking him to fourth-set tiebreakers in Monte-Carlo and Paris, and a thrilling match in Rome that went to a deciding fifth-set tiebreaker.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bierley|first=Steve|date=24 May 2006|title=Tennis: Nadal blocks Federer's record hunting|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/25/tennis.frenchopen2006|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421031659/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/25/tennis.frenchopen2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

Federer won one ATP 500 series event in Tokyo and captured the year-end championships for the third time in his career, again finishing the year as world No. 1.<ref name=RF2006/> Federer only lost to two players during 2006, to Nadal four times in finals, and to 19-year-old [[Andy Murray]] in the second round of the [[2006 Cincinnati Masters]], in what was Federer's only defeat before the final of a tournament that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=August 16, 2006: Murray snaps Federer's 55-match winning streak at..|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/ATP_Tennis/46423/august-16-2006-murray-snaps-federer-s-55match-winning-streak-at/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Tennis World USA|date=16 August 2017|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607215137/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/ATP_Tennis/46423/august-16-2006-murray-snaps-federer-s-55match-winning-streak-at/|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer finished the season on a 29-match winning streak, as well as winning 48 of his last 49 matches after the French Open.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Roger Federer's 2006 season beats Novak Djokovic's 2015 season|date=4 March 2020|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/why-roger-federer-s-2006-season-beats-novak-djokovic-s-2015-season|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527113959/https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/why-roger-federer-s-2006-season-beats-novak-djokovic-s-2015-season|url-status=live}}</ref>

Near the end of the season, he won his hometown tournament, the [[Swiss Indoors]] in Basel, Switzerland for the first time, having finished runner up in 2000 and 2001, and missing the tournament in 2004 and 2005 due to injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Basel 2006: Roger Federer wins first title at home to start the supremacy|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/62317/basel-2006-roger-federer-wins-first-title-at-home-to-start-the-supremacy/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Tennis World USA|date=30 October 2018|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807042915/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/62317/basel-2006-roger-federer-wins-first-title-at-home-to-start-the-supremacy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2007: Holding off young rivals====
{{Main|2007 Roger Federer tennis season}}
In 2007, Federer reached all four Grand Slam singles finals, winning three of them again. At the [[2007 Australian Open|Australian Open]], he became the first man since [[Björn Borg]] in 1980 to win a major without dropping a set, beating [[Fernando González]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/aus07/news/story?id=2744992|title=Federer defeats Gonzalez for 10th Grand Slam title|date=28 January 2007|publisher=ESPN|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116061428/http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/aus07/news/story?id=2744992|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer captured his fourth Dubai crown to extend his winning streak to 41 matches, the longest of his career and only five shy of the all-time record. Federer then entered [[2007 Pacific Life Open – Men's singles|Indian Wells]] as the three-time defending champion, but his streak ended in controversy when he was defeated by [[Guillermo Cañas]], who had failed a drug test for illegal doping.<ref>{{cite web|first=Bonnie|last=DeSimone|title=Canas keeps the ball in court in doping case|url=http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=2819004|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=5 April 2007|access-date=22 October 2016|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926114647/http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=2819004|url-status=live}}</ref> This surprising first-round loss marked the first time that he was defeated since August 2006, a period spanning over seven months.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 March 2007|title=Federer stunned by Canas on day of upsets|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-men-pacific-idUSL1002391020070312|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607213129/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-men-pacific-idUSL1002391020070312|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:The Mighty Federer cropped.jpg|thumb|Federer was called "Darth Federer" by fans and commentators at the 2007 US Open.]]

During the clay season, Federer snapped Nadal's 81-match winning streak on clay, an Open-era record, in the final of the [[2007 Hamburg Masters – Singles|Hamburg Masters]] after turning the match around from a set down, including a final set [[Bagel (tennis)|bagel]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 May 2007|title=Federer ends Nadal's clay streak in Hamburg|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-men-masters-idUSL2034409220070520|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607213126/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-men-masters-idUSL2034409220070520|url-status=live}}</ref> This win convinced some that Federer could win the [[2007 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]] to become the first man in almost 40 years to hold all four majors simultaneously, but instead he lost in a four-set final to Nadal again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/2007/520/MS001/match-stats|title=Rafael Nadal VS. Roger Federer – Paris 2007|work=ATP World Tour |access-date=29 October 2017|archive-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424024338/http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/2007/520/MS001/match-stats|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[2007 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Federer defeated Nadal for a second consecutive year in the final, this time in a [[2007 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles final|thrilling five-set encounter]] that many analysts hailed as the greatest Wimbledon final since [[1980 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles final|1980]]. This victory equaled him with [[Björn Borg]] for the record of five consecutive Wimbledon championships.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2007|title=Wimbledon: Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to win the men's singles final|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/08/tennis.wimbledon7|access-date=7 June 2020|website=The Guardian|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607213142/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/08/tennis.wimbledon7|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2007 Rogers Masters – Singles|Canada Masters]], Federer lost in the final to [[Novak Djokovic]] in a final-set tiebreaker upset. Federer rebounded in [[2007 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters – Singles|Cincinnati]] to capture his fifth title of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/09/tennis.wimbledon |title=Federer's fifth and finest draws level with Borg |website=www.theguardian.com |date=9 July 2007 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054527/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/09/tennis.wimbledon |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer entered the [[2007 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] as the three-time defending champion and faced Djokovic in the final. This time, Federer prevailed in a close straight-set match.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 September 2007|title=Federer wins fourth US Open title|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6985663.stm|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116054648/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6985663.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> This victory moved him ahead of Laver and Borg for third on the all-time list of major championship victories. He closed out the year with victories in [[Swiss Indoors|Basel]] and the [[ATP World Tour Finals|year-end championships]] in Shanghai.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 November 2007|title=Supreme Federer destroys Ferrer|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7100446.stm|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806203829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7100446.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

He finished the season as the year-end No. 1 for the fourth year in a row, compiling an impressive 68–9 record. After his phenomenal triple Grand Slam season yet again, Federer became the only player in history to win three majors in a year for three years (2004, 2006, 2007).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ausopen.com/history/great-champions/roger-federer |title=Roger Federer |website=ausopen.com |date=30 January 2017 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://ausopen.com/history/great-champions/roger-federer |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the third consecutive season that Federer held the No. 1 ranking for all 52 weeks of the year.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Allen|first=J. A.|title=10 Records Roger Federer Will Never Equal or Break|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1371892-ten-records-roger-federer-will-never-equal-or-break|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Bleacher Report|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607213129/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1371892-ten-records-roger-federer-will-never-equal-or-break|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2008: Illness, Olympic gold, and fifth US Open====
{{Main|2008 Roger Federer tennis season}}
Federer's success in 2008 was severely hampered by a lingering bout of [[mononucleosis]], which he suffered during the first half of the year.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |title=Federer battles off-court foe – mononucleosis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/sports/07iht-arena.3.10811374.html |date=7 March 2008 |access-date=25 October 2014 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421214008/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/sports/07iht-arena.3.10811374.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]] Federer lost in the semifinals to eventual winner Djokovic, which ended his record of 10 consecutive finals.<ref name=RF2008>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2008&m=s&e=0 |title=Tennis – ATP World Tour – Tennis Players – Roger Federer |publisher=[[ATP World Tour]] |access-date=8 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708055435/http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2008&m=s&e=0|archive-date=8 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> He lost twice in Masters finals on clay to Nadal, at Monte Carlo and Hamburg.<ref name=RF2008/> Federer captured three titles playing in 250-level events at Estoril, Halle, and Basel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Almeida |first=Henrique |date=20 April 2008 |title=Federer ends title drought with Estoril win |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-men-estoril-idUSL208446720080420 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607202856/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-men-estoril-idUSL208446720080420 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Federer wins fifth Halle title |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/federer-wins-fifth-halle-title/6732470 |date=15 June 2008 |access-date=7 June 2020 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607202858/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/federer-wins-fifth-halle-title/6732470 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=The Associated Press |date=26 October 2008 |title=Federer Beats Nalbandian in Swiss Final |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/sports/tennis/27sportsbriefs-FEDERERBEATS_BRF.html |access-date=7 June 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607202855/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/sports/tennis/27sportsbriefs-FEDERERBEATS_BRF.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer was defeated by Nadal in two Grand Slam finals, the [[2008 French Open|French Open]] and [[2008 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], which was regarded as the best match of tennis history by many, when he was going for six straight wins to break [[Björn Borg]]'s record. He came back from two sets down to force a fifth set, where he fell just two points from the title.<ref name=RF2008/>

At the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]], Federer and [[Stan Wawrinka]] won the gold medal in doubles by beating the [[Bryan brothers]] American team in the semifinals and the Swedish duo of [[Simon Aspelin]] and [[Thomas Johansson]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Specials/Roger_Federer/News/Federer_and_Wawrinka_golden_together.html?cid=62174 |title=Federer and Wawrinka golden together |access-date=16 August 2008 |archive-date=29 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429161551/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Specials/Roger_Federer/News/Federer_and_Wawrinka_golden_together.html?cid=62174 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, Federer could reach only the quarterfinals in the singles draw, bowing out to then No. 8 [[James Blake (tennis)|James Blake]], thus ceding his No. 1 ranking to Nadal after being at the top for a record 237 consecutive weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2008&m=d&e=0 |title=Tennis – ATP World Tour – Tennis Players – Roger Federer |access-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222222852/http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=pa&y=2008&m=d&e=0|archive-date=22 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Federer captured his only Grand Slam of 2008 at the [[2008 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], defeating Andy Murray in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/09/usopentennis.andymurray |title=Courageous Murray blown away as Federer claims his 13th major |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=9 September 2008 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417134950/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/09/usopentennis.andymurray |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the end of the year, Federer suffered a back injury, which caused him to withdraw from the [[2008 BNP Paribas Masters – Singles|Paris Masters]] and resulted in a poor showing at the [[2008 Tennis Masters Cup – Singles|year-end championship]], where he was eliminated in the round-robin stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/federer-ousted-from-masters-20081115-ge7is7.html |title=Federer ousted from Masters |website=www.theage.com.au |date=10 November 2008 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011145/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/federer-ousted-from-masters-20081115-ge7is7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This marked the only time in his career that he was eliminated before the semifinals. Federer ended the year ranked No. 2.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Gaurav|date=2 November 2018|title=2008: The year that first poked holes in Roger Federer's aura of invincibility|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/2008-the-year-that-led-to-the-downfall-of-roger-federer|access-date=7 June 2020|website=www.sportskeeda.com|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607202857/https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/2008-the-year-that-led-to-the-downfall-of-roger-federer|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2009: Career Grand Slam and major title record====
{{Main|2009 Roger Federer tennis season}}

Federer began the 2009 season with a loss to Nadal in the final of the [[2009 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]] in a hotly contested [[2009 Australian Open – Men's singles final|five-set match]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/01/rafael-nadal-roger-federer-australian-open |title=Australian Open: Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer in five sets |access-date=1 February 2009 |work=[[The Guardian]] |last=Bierley |first=Steve |date=1 February 2009 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518120925/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/01/rafael-nadal-roger-federer-australian-open |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer struggled following the defeat in Melbourne and entered the clay season without a title.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bierley |first=Steve |date=16 April 2009 |title=Tennis: Roger Federer in shock early exit from the Monte Carlo Masters |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/16/roger-federer-stanislas-wawrinka-monte-carlo1 |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607195806/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/16/roger-federer-stanislas-wawrinka-monte-carlo1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Roger Federer at the 2009 French Open 6.jpg|thumb|Federer winning the 2009 French Open, and completing the career Grand Slam]]

Federer's season turned around in the final Masters event of the clay season when he defeated Nadal on clay for only the second time to capture the [[Madrid Open (tennis)|Madrid Masters]].<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=17 May 2009 |title=Federer Wins Madrid Open, Defeating a Run-Down Nadal |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/sports/tennis/18tennis.html |access-date=7 June 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918232700/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/sports/tennis/18tennis.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After Nadal's unexpected defeat to [[Robin Söderling]], Federer became the overwhelming favorite to win the elusive [[2009 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]]. In his next match, he came from two sets and break point down in the third set to defeat [[Tommy Haas]] in five sets.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/26850806/how-french-open-win-tommy-haas-cemented-federer-legacy |title=How a French Open win over Tommy Haas cemented Federer's legacy |work=ESPN |date=30 May 2019 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/26850806/how-french-open-win-tommy-haas-cemented-federer-legacy |url-status=live }}</ref> He also fought back from a two-sets-to-one deficit against a young [[Juan Martín del Potro]] to win a five-setter in the semifinals.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2009 |title=Roger Federer beats Juan Martín del Potro to make French Open final |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jun/05/roger-federer-french-open-del-potro |access-date=7 June 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607195702/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jun/05/roger-federer-french-open-del-potro |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[2009 French Open – Men's singles final|the final]], he defeated Söderling in straight sets to finally capture the [[Coupe des Mousquetaires]] and career Grand Slam.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/sports/tennis/08tennis.html|title=The Greatest? Federer's Victory Fills Last Hole on His Résumé|access-date=26 February 2017|work=The New York Times|first=Christopher|last=Clarey|date=7 June 2009|archive-date=23 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623044416/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/sports/tennis/08tennis.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This victory also tied him with Pete Sampras for the most Grand Slam singles titles at 14.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flashback: Federer Completes Career Grand Slam In Paris {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-soderling-roland-garros-2009-flashback|access-date=7 June 2020|website=ATP Tour|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607015949/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-soderling-roland-garros-2009-flashback|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], Federer faced long-time rival [[Andy Roddick]] in the final in what was their eighth and final meeting at a Grand Slam. The [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|final]] was historic for being the longest Grand Slam final in terms of games played with Federer prevailing 16–14 in a record-setting fifth set, thus winning his 15th Grand Slam singles title and breaking the all-time record of Pete Sampras.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 July 2009 |title=Roger Federer wins Wimbledon after epic Andy Roddick battle |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/05/wimbledon-federer |access-date=7 June 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607195745/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/05/wimbledon-federer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon09/news/story?id=4307143 |title=Federer triumphs in another English epic |work=ESPN |date=5 July 2009 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120010923/https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon09/news/story?id=4307143 |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer continued his summer run by winning his third [[2009 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters – Singles|Cincinnati Masters]], defeating Novak Djokovic in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/aug/24/roger-federer-wins-cincinnati-masters |title=Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic to win Cincinnati Masters |website=www.theguardian.com |date=24 August 2009 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/aug/24/roger-federer-wins-cincinnati-masters |url-status=live }}</ref> For the third consecutive year, Federer defeated Djokovic in the semifinals of the [[2009 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]]. On the penultimate point, he hit what many consider to be the greatest shot of his career, a [[Tweener (tennis)|tweener]] winner, to set up match points.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Novak_Djokovic/61767/novak-djokovic-recalls-roger-federer-s-2009-us-open-tweener-/ |title=Novak Djokovic recalls Roger Federer's 2009 US Open tweener |website=www.tennisworldusa.org |date=16 October 2018 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Novak_Djokovic/61767/novak-djokovic-recalls-roger-federer-s-2009-us-open-tweener-/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer was defeated by del Potro in the final despite falling just two points from the title in the fourth set.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/15/juan-martin-del-potro-us-open |title=Juan Martín del Potro shocks Roger Federer to win US Open title |website=www.theguardian.com |date=15 September 2009 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/15/juan-martin-del-potro-us-open |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federer finished the season as the year-end No. 1 for the fifth time in his career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Federer Will Finish 2009 Number One |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federer-will-finish-2009-number-one/ |access-date=7 June 2020 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=25 November 2009 |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607195700/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federer-will-finish-2009-number-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2010s===

====2010: Fourth Australian Open====
{{Main|2010 Roger Federer tennis season}}
[[File:R federer.jpg|thumb|Federer won a record 16th major at the 2010 Australian Open.]]
Federer started the year with a win at the [[2010 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where he defeated Andy Murray in the final, extending the Grand Slam singles record to sixteen titles and matching [[Andre Agassi]]'s record of four Australian Open titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/336620-federer-murray-game-recap |title=Aussie Open: Federer Claims 16th Grand Slam Despite Murray's Will To Win |website=bleacherreport.com |date=31 January 2010 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011145/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/336620-federer-murray-game-recap |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/31/andy-murray-roger-federer-australian-open |title=Andy Murray falls to brilliant Roger Federer in Australian Open final |website=www.theguardian.com |date=31 January 2010 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630145247/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/31/andy-murray-roger-federer-australian-open |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2005 Wimbledon, Federer had made 18 out of 19 finals in Grand Slam tournaments, a period of sustained excellence unparalleled in the [[History of tennis|Open Era]]. This tournament, however, marked the end of his dominance at the majors.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Drape|first=Joe|date=31 January 2010|title=With Australian Title, Federer Returns From Vulnerable to Invincible|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/sports/tennis/01tennis.html|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919100550/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/sports/tennis/01tennis.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2010 French Open|French Open]], Federer won his 700th tour match and 150th tour match on clay.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/05/Roland-Garros/Roland-Garros-Friday-Federer-Wins-700th-Match.aspx |title=Tennis – ATP World Tour – Roland Garros Friday – Federer Joins 700 Match Wins Club |publisher=ATP World Tour |access-date=22 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601060936/http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/05/Roland-Garros/Roland-Garros-Friday-Federer-Wins-700th-Match.aspx |archive-date=1 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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, having been just one week away from equaling [[Pete Sampras]]'s record of 286 weeks as world No. 1.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=1 June 2010 |title=Roger Federer beaten by Robin Söderling in French Open |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jun/01/roger-federer-robin-soderling |access-date=7 June 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806201702/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jun/01/roger-federer-robin-soderling |url-status=live }}</ref> In a huge upset at [[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], Federer lost in the quarterfinals again to [[Tomáš Berdych]] and fell to No. 3 in the rankings for the first time in six years and eight months.<ref>{{cite web |last=Buddell |first=James |url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/06/Wimbledon/Wimbledon-Wednesday2-Berdych-Upsets-Federer.aspx |title=Tennis – ATP World Tour – The Championships – Berdych Sends Federer Spinning Out |publisher=ATP World Tour |access-date=22 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122045857/http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/06/Wimbledon/Wimbledon-Wednesday2-Berdych-Upsets-Federer.aspx |archive-date=22 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jun/22/slide-show-1-roger-federer-joins-elite-club.htm |title=Federer joins an elite club – Rediff Sports |work=Rediff.com |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=22 January 2013 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518144331/http://sports.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jun/22/slide-show-1-roger-federer-joins-elite-club.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Towards the middle of July, Federer hired Pete Sampras's old coach, [[Paul Annacone]], on a trial basis to put his tennis game and career back on track.<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Federer hires Paul Annacone as coach to help revive career |date=26 July 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/26/roger-federer-paul-annacone |work=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |access-date=19 November 2013 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518185757/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/26/roger-federer-paul-annacone |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2010 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], Federer reached the semifinals, where he lost a five-set match to Novak Djokovic after holding two match points.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/sep/12/roger-federer-novak-djokovic-us-open |title=Novak Djokovic stuns Roger Federer in US Open semi-final |work=www.theguardian.com |date=12 September 2010 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=25 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925132730/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/sep/12/roger-federer-novak-djokovic-us-open |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer reached four Masters finals prevailing against [[Mardy Fish]] at [[2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters – Singles|Cincinnati]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Federer back to winning ways with fourth Cincinnati crown |date=22 August 2010 |url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/08/33/Cincinnati-Sunday2-Federer-Ends-Title-Drought.aspx |publisher=ATP |access-date=22 August 2010 |archive-date=25 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025223237/http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/08/33/Cincinnati-Sunday2-Federer-Ends-Title-Drought.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Federer finished the year in strong form, winning indoor titles at the [[2010 If Stockholm Open – Singles|Stockholm Open]], [[2010 Swiss Indoors – Singles|Swiss Indoors]] and the [[2010 ATP World Tour Finals|ATP Finals]] in London, beating Djokovic and Nadal in the finals of the latter two.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/tennis/11/07/basle.federer.djokovic.ferrer/index.html |title=Federer beats Djokovic to win back Swiss Indoors title |website=CNN |date=7 November 2010 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011155/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/tennis/11/07/basle.federer.djokovic.ferrer/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=28 November 2010 |title=Roger Federer surges to victory over Rafa Nadal at World Tour Finals |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/28/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-atp-world-tour-finals |access-date=7 June 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724143819/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/28/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-atp-world-tour-finals |url-status=live }}</ref> It remains the only tournament in his career in which Federer defeated all fellow members of the [[Big Four (tennis)|Big Four]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Results|url=https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/heritage/results|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Nitto ATP Finals|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806181723/https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/heritage/results|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, Federer finished in the top two for the eighth consecutive season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 Flashback: Roger Federer Draws Level With Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-2010-nitto-atp-finals-champion |date=6 November 2018 |access-date=7 June 2020 |website=ATP Tour |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915132423/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-2010-nitto-atp-finals-champion |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2011: Tour Finals title record====
{{Main|2011 Roger Federer tennis season}}
The year 2011 was a lean year for Federer, although great by most player's standards. He was defeated in straight sets in the semifinals of the [[2011 Australian Open|Australian Open]] by eventual champion [[Novak Djokovic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/27/australian-open-2011-djokovic-federer |title=Australian Open 2011: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to reach final |website=www.theguardian.com |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011042334/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/27/australian-open-2011-djokovic-federer |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2011 French Open|French Open]] semifinals, Federer ended Djokovic's undefeated streak of 43 consecutive wins with a four-set victory,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Garros|first=Kevin Mitchell at Roland|date=3 June 2011|title=Roger Federer shocks French Open by beating Novak Djokovic|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/03/roger-federer-french-open-novak-djokovic|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607181752/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/03/roger-federer-french-open-novak-djokovic|url-status=live}}</ref> but he then lost in the final to Rafael Nadal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 June 2011|title=Nadal outlasts Federer, wins sixth French Open|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/french11/news/story?id=6628276|access-date=7 June 2020|website=ESPN.com|archive-date=3 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203004125/http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french11/news/story?id=6628276|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], Federer lost in the quarterfinals to [[Jo-Wilfried Tsonga]]. It marked the first time in his career that he had lost a Grand Slam match after winning the first two sets.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wimbledon|first=Owen Gibson at|date=29 June 2011|title=Wimbledon 2011: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stuns Roger Federer over five sets|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/29/wimbledon-2011-tsonga-roger-federer|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607182614/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jun/29/wimbledon-2011-tsonga-roger-federer|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Federer lost in the semifinals to Novak Djokovic in five sets after winning the first two sets for the second time in 2011. In a repeat of the previous year's semifinal event, Federer again squandered two match points, this time on his own serve. The loss meant that it was the first time since 2002 that Federer had not won any of the four Grand Slam titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/sep/10/novak-djokovic-roger-federer-us-open |title=Novak Djokovic reaches US Open final after stunning Roger Federer |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=UK |date=10 September 2011 |accessdate=20 December 2023 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422004944/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/sep/10/novak-djokovic-roger-federer-us-open |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6953108/two-sets-novak-djokovic-rallies-beat-roger-federer |title=Two sets down, Novak Djokovic rallies to beat Roger Federer |work=ESPN |date=10 September 2011 |accessdate=20 December 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009161345/https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6953108/two-sets-novak-djokovic-rallies-beat-roger-federer |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federer finished the season successfully in the indoor season, winning his last three tournaments of the year at the [[2011 Swiss Indoors Basel|Swiss Indoors]], [[2011 BNP Paribas Masters – Singles|Paris Masters]] and [[2011 ATP World Tour Finals – Singles|ATP Finals]], forming a 16-match winning streak. Federer finished the year ranked No. 3.<ref>{{cite web|last=Buddell|first=James|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2011/11/47/London-Finals-Final-Federer-Tsonga.aspx|title=Tennis – ATP World Tour – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 2011 Final – Federer Wins Record Sixth Title|publisher=ATP World Tour|access-date=24 January 2012|archive-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214163115/http://www.atpworldtour.com/news/tennis/2011/11/47/london-finals-final-federer-tsonga.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2012: Wimbledon title, return to No. 1, and Olympic silver====
{{Main|2012 Roger Federer tennis season}}
Federer began the 2012 season by reaching the semifinal of the [[2012 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], which he lost to Nadal.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Park|first=Kevin Mitchell at Melbourne|date=26 January 2012|title=Rafael Nadal triumphs over Roger Federer in epic Australian Open semi|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/26/rafael-nadal-roger-federer-australian-open|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607181921/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/26/rafael-nadal-roger-federer-australian-open|url-status=live}}</ref> He then won the [[2012 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament|Rotterdam Open]] for the first time since 2005, defeating del Potro in the final.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 February 2012|title=Roger Federer beats Juan Martín del Potro in Rotterdam final-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/17090325|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607193747/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/17090325|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2012 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai Championships]], he defeated Murray in the final.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 March 2012|title=Roger Federer beats Andy Murray to win Dubai Championships-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/17245570|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607193734/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/17245570|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer then won the [[2012 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Masters]] after defeating Nadal in the semifinals, and [[John Isner]] in the final.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 March 2012|title=Roger Federer beats John Isner to take Indian Wells title-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/17424241|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607193743/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/17424241|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Federer Wimbledon 2012 Champion.jpg|thumb|Federer won a record 17th major, a record-equaling 7th Wimbledon, and returned to No. 1]]
Federer went on to compete at the [[2012 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Masters]] on the new blue clay surface, where he beat Tomáš Berdych in the final, thus regaining the No. 2 ranking from Rafael Nadal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/from-the-vault-roger-federer-s-spectacular-run-madrid-masters-2012 |title=From the vault: Roger Federer's spectacular run at the 2012 Madrid Masters |website=www.sportskeeda.com |date=2 May 2019 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011145/https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/from-the-vault-roger-federer-s-spectacular-run-madrid-masters-2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2012 French Open|French Open]], Federer reached the semifinals before losing to Djokovic in straight sets, in a rematch of the previous year's semifinal.<ref>{{cite news |title=French Open: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to reach final |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/18373533 |access-date=1 July 2019 |archive-date=1 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701075526/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/18373533 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At [[2012 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Federer played a five-set match in the third round against [[Julien Benneteau]] on his way to winning the tournament, defeating Djokovic in the semifinals and then Murray in a four-set final to win his seventh Wimbledon championship, tying Sampras' Open Era record.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/07/09/roger-federer-wins-wimbledon-title-major/GoHcfAZgCc28XFLfFMQSDM/story.html|title=Roger Federer wins 7th Wimbledon title|date=9 July 2012|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|first=Kevin Paul|last=Dupont|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518134809/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/07/09/roger-federer-wins-wimbledon-title-major/GoHcfAZgCc28XFLfFMQSDM/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With this victory, Federer returned to the top spot in the world rankings and, in doing so, broke Sampras' record of 286 weeks atop the list.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/federer-beats-murray-7th-wimbledon-17th-major-203809091--spt.html|title=Federer beats Murray for 7th Wimbledon, 17th major|last=Fendrich|first=Howard|date=8 July 2012|access-date=5 December 2014|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518141323/https://news.yahoo.com/federer-beats-murray-7th-wimbledon-17th-major-203809091--spt.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Summer Olympics]], Federer defeated Del Potro in a 4-hour 26-minute semifinal by winning 19–17 in the third and final set.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/03/roger-federer-del-potro-olympics|title=Roger Federer beats Juan Martín del Potro to reach Olympic final|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=3 August 2012|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=9 January 2013|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518141323/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/03/roger-federer-del-potro-olympics|url-status=live}}</ref> Clearly exhausted from his clash with Del Potro, Federer then lost the final to Murray in a surprisingly lopsided match, thus winning a silver medal for his country.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/08/05/roger-federer-olympics-loss|title=Despite loss to Murray, silver medal meaningful for Federer in London|last=Killion|first=Ann|date=5 August 2012|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=9 January 2013|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518180643/https://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/08/05/roger-federer-olympics-loss|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August, Federer won the [[2012 Western & Southern Open – Men's singles|Cincinnati Masters]], beating Djokovic in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/19314254|title=Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic to win Cincinnati Open|access-date=19 August 2012|date=19 August 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524193340/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/19314254|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2012 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], Federer was defeated by Tomáš Berdych in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/19497670|title=Roger Federer loses to Tomas Berdych in US Open quarters|access-date=6 September 2012|date=6 September 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715025032/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/19497670|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2012 Shanghai Rolex Masters – Singles|Shanghai Masters]], after defeating Wawrinka in the third round, Federer confirmed his 300th week at No. 1, thus becoming the first player to reach this milestone. Federer ended the season by reaching the final of the [[2012 ATP World Tour Finals – Singles|ATP Finals]], where he lost to Djokovic.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Djokovic-beats-Federer-to-win-World-Tour-Finals-title/articleshow/17200658.cms|title=Djokovic beats Federer to win World Tour Finals title|access-date=13 November 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|archive-date=19 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119185922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Djokovic-beats-Federer-to-win-World-Tour-Finals-title/articleshow/17200658.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/21797541 |title=Rafael Nadal powers to win over Roger Federer at Indian Wells |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 March 2013 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715025513/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/21797541 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2013: Injury struggles and fall in rankings====
{{Main|2013 Roger Federer tennis season}}
Federer developed back injuries in March and July and his ranking dropped from No. 2 to No. 6.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Federer reflects on mistakes of playing injured|url=https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/10/federer-reflects-mistakes-playing-injured/49518/#.UxbEVSgwLzI|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Tennis.com|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421214008/http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/10/federer-reflects-mistakes-playing-injured/49518/#.UxbEVSgwLzI|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Clarke|first=Patrick|title=Analyzing Roger Federer's Slow Start to 2013 Tennis Season|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1598386-analyzing-roger-federers-slow-start-to-2013-tennis-season|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Bleacher Report|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607180112/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1598386-analyzing-roger-federers-slow-start-to-2013-tennis-season|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer's first and only title of 2013 came at the [[Gerry Weber Open]], defeating [[Mikhail Youzhny]] in the final. With the victory in Halle, he tied John McEnroe for the third-most ATP titles won by a male player in the Open Era.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/9421|title=Roger Federer Ties John McEnroe With 77th Career Title In Halle|work=World Tennis Magazine |date=16 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421214006/http://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/9421|url-status=live |author1=Admin }}</ref> Federer, however, was unable to maintain his form into Wimbledon, suffering his worst Grand Slam tournament defeat since 2003 in the second round against [[Sergiy Stakhovsky]]. This loss ended Federer's record streak of 36 consecutive quarterfinals at Grand Slam tournaments,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/roger-federer-quarterfinal-streak/|title=Roger Federer loses at Wimbledon, snapping greatest streak in tennis|work=USA Today|access-date=6 July 2013|archive-date=2 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702164255/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/roger-federer-quarterfinal-streak/|url-status=live}}</ref> and it also meant that he would drop out of the top 4 for the first time since July 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=rh|title=Roger Federer's ranking history|newspaper=Atp Tour|publisher=ATP World Tour|access-date=6 July 2013|archive-date=11 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511115233/http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Roger-Federer.aspx?t=rh|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Wimbledon, Federer continued to be upset early in tournaments in [[2013 International German Open|Hamburg]] and [[2013 Crédit Agricole Suisse Open Gstaad|Gstaad]] because of a serious back injury through October, when he announced that he was parting ways with Paul Annacone, his coach for the last three years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Paul |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/the-fading-roger-federer-puts-coach-paul-annacone-out-to-grass-8877276.html |title=The fading Roger Federer puts coach Paul Annacone out to grass |work=The Independent |date=13 October 2013 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421214002/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/the-fading-roger-federer-puts-coach-paul-annacone-out-to-grass-8877276.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Federer made the final in Basel, succumbing to [[Juan Martín del Potro]] in three sets, and indicated it was a mistake to have played certain tournaments while suffering from a back injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Federer reflects on mistakes of playing injured|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/10/federer-reflects-mistakes-playing-injured/49518/|publisher=[[Tennis.com]]|date=20 October 2013|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402001247/https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/10/federer-reflects-mistakes-playing-injured/49518/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 December 2013, Federer announced that [[Stefan Edberg]] was joining his team as co-coach with [[Severin Lüthi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/27/roger-federer-stefan-edberg-coach |title=Stefan Edberg to join Roger Federer's coaching team at Australian Open |website=www.theguardian.com |date=27 December 2013 |access-date=19 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/27/roger-federer-stefan-edberg-coach |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2014: Davis Cup glory====
{{Main|2014 Roger Federer tennis season}}
At the [[2014 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], Federer defeated Tsonga and Murray to reach his 11th consecutive semifinal in Melbourne, before losing to Rafael Nadal in straight sets.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 January 2014|title=Australian Open 2014: Nadal beats Federer to reach final-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/25855302|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213220256/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/25855302|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2014 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai Championships]], he defeated Djokovic in the semifinals and Berdych in the final to win his sixth Dubai crown.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/26402050 |title=Roger Federer fights back to beat Tomáš Berdych in Dubai |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2014 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808214251/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/26402050 |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer then reached the [[2014 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] final, but lost to Djokovic in a final-set tiebreaker.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 March 2014|title=Indian Wells: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in final-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/26606409|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175015/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/26606409|url-status=live}}</ref> The emergence of countryman [[Stanislas Wawrinka]] as a Grand Slam singles champion in 2014 renewed hope for Federer in his Davis Cup quest, and the pair both committed to playing each tie in the [[2014 Davis Cup|Davis Cup]]. Their commitment paid off as wins over [[Serbia Davis Cup team|Serbia]], [[Kazakhstan Davis Cup team|Kazakhstan]] (in which Federer won the first deciding rubber of his Davis Cup career), and [[Italy Davis Cup team|Italy]] allowed the Swiss team to advance to the final for the first time since 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Davis Cup – Swiss battle to victory over Kazakhstan|url=https://www.daviscup.com/174126?channel=daviscupnews|access-date=7 June 2020|website=www.daviscup.com|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175010/https://www.daviscup.com/174126?channel=daviscupnews|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Switzerland 3:2 Italy|url=http://www.daviscup.com/en/draws-results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100021089|website=Davis Cup|access-date=17 September 2014|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322010617/http://www.daviscup.com/en/draws-results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100021089|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the clay season, Federer took a wild card into the [[2014 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters|Monte-Carlo Masters]], defeating Djokovic on his way to the final, which he lost to Wawrinka.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 April 2014|title=Stanislas Wawrinka beats Roger Federer in Monte Carlo final-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/27096939|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041627/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/27096939|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2014 Gerry Weber Open|Halle Open]], Federer reached both the singles and the doubles finals, beating [[Alejandro Falla]] in the singles final.<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 June 2014|title=Roger Federer wins seventh Gerry Weber Open title in Halle-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/27857448|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607190920/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/27857448|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], Federer reached a record ninth final, but he was defeated by Djokovic in an [[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles final|epic five-set match]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 July 2014|title=Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to win Wimbledon title-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/28184903|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020827/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/28184903|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Steinberg|first=Jacob|date=6 July 2014|title=Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to win Wimbledon final – as it happened |work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/06/novak-djokovic-v-roger-federer-wimbledon-2014-final-live|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175015/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/06/novak-djokovic-v-roger-federer-wimbledon-2014-final-live|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Match Federer-Gasquet (Coupe Davis 2014).JPG|thumb|Federer receiving serve against Richard Gasquet in the title-clinching match for Switzerland at the 2014 Davis Cup]]
Federer reached the final of the [[2014 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]], where he was defeated by Tsonga.<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 August 2014|title=Rogers Cup: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beats Roger Federer to win title-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/28734123|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607192213/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/28734123|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer then defeated Spain's [[David Ferrer]] in three sets to capture his sixth [[2014 Western & Southern Open|Cincinnati]] crown.<ref>{{Cite web|title=August 17, 2014: Roger Federer downs David Ferrer to win Cincinnati crown|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/59076/august-17-2014-roger-federer-downs-david-ferrer-to-win-cincinnati-crown/|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Tennis World USA|date=17 August 2018|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175011/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/59076/august-17-2014-roger-federer-downs-david-ferrer-to-win-cincinnati-crown/|url-status=live}}</ref> He then reached the semifinals at the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] but lost in straight sets to eventual champion [[Marin Čilić]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Meadows|first=Kevin Mitchell at Flushing|date=7 September 2014|title=US Open: Cilic demolishes Federer after Nishikori shocks Djokovic|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/marin-cilic-roger-federer-nishikori-djokovic-us-open|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175015/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/marin-cilic-roger-federer-nishikori-djokovic-us-open|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[2014 Shanghai Rolex Masters|Shanghai Masters]], Federer saved five match points against Leonardo Mayer in the second round before defeating Djokovic in the semifinals to end his 28-match unbeaten run on Chinese soil.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/oct/11/roger-federer-novak-djokovic-shanghai-masters |title=Roger Federer defeats Novak Djokovic to reach Shanghai Masters final |website=www.theguardian.com |date=11 October 2014 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/oct/11/roger-federer-novak-djokovic-shanghai-masters |url-status=live }}</ref> He then beat [[Gilles Simon]] to win his second Shanghai final.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 October 2014|title=Roger Federer beats Gilles Simon to win Shanghai Masters-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/29588238|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607192210/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/29588238|url-status=live}}</ref> The victory saw Federer return to the No. 2 ranking for the first time since May 2013. Federer then won the [[2014 Swiss Indoors|Swiss Indoors]] for a record sixth title, defeating [[David Goffin]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/11767203/roger-federer-beats-david-goffin-6th-swiss-indoors-title |title=Roger Federer wins 6th Swiss title |work=ESPN |date=26 October 2014 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011145/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/11767203/roger-federer-beats-david-goffin-6th-swiss-indoors-title |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer also reached the finals of the [[2014 ATP World Tour Finals – Singles|2014 ATP Finals]] to face Djokovic again, but withdrew from the final because of another back injury.<ref>{{Cite news|last=O2|first=Kevin Mitchell at the|date=16 November 2014|title=Roger Federer pulls out of ATP Tour Finals with back injury|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/nov/16/roger-federer-withdraws-atp-tour-final|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175012/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/nov/16/roger-federer-withdraws-atp-tour-final|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite his injury, Federer finished the season on a high by defeating [[Richard Gasquet]] to clinch the [[2014 Davis Cup|Davis Cup]] for Switzerland for the first time in its history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2014/11/23/switzerland-wins-davis-cup-final/19441277/|title=Roger Federer, Switzerland win first Davis Cup title|date=23 November 2014|work=USA Today|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518121812/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2014/11/23/switzerland-wins-davis-cup-final/19441277/|url-status=live}}</ref> The final was held at the [[Stade Pierre-Mauroy]] in Lille, France, attracting over 27,000 spectators per match; this broke attendance record for the highest ever officially sanctioned competition tennis match.<ref>{{cite news|title=Davis Cup final attracts record crowd|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-davis-crowd-idUSKCN0J51NI20141121|work=Reuters|access-date=29 March 2017|date=21 November 2014|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227185816/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/21/us-tennis-davis-crowd-idUSKCN0J51NI20141121|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2015: 1,000th victory and finals at the US Open and Wimbledon====
{{Main|2015 Roger Federer tennis season}}
Federer started his 2015 season by winning the [[2015 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]], defeating [[Milos Raonic]] in the final, thereby becoming only the third man in the Open Era to have 1,000 or more wins, joining [[Jimmy Connors]] and Ivan Lendl, as well as the first man in the Open Era to win at least one title in each of 15 consecutive years.<ref>{{cite web|first=Greg|last=Sharko|title=By the numbers: Federer's 1000 match wins|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/01/1/By-The-Numbers-Federer-1000-Match-Wins.aspx|publisher=Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP)|date=11 January 2015|access-date=11 January 2015|archive-date=18 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718165901/http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/01/1/By-The-Numbers-Federer-1000-Match-Wins.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2015 Dubai Tennis Championships – Men's singles|Dubai Championships]], Federer successfully defended his title with a straight-set victory over Djokovic in the final.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/31675689| title=Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic to win Dubai title| access-date=28 February 2015| date=28 February 2015| publisher=BBC Sport| archive-date=15 July 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715025517/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/31675689| url-status=live}}</ref> He then reached the [[2015 BNP Paribas Open – Men's singles|Indian Wells]] final, which he lost to defending champion Djokovic.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32011960| title=Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in Indian Wells final| access-date=24 March 2015| date=22 March 2015| publisher=BBC Sport| archive-date=2 April 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402202752/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32011960| url-status=live}}</ref>

In May, Federer won the inaugural [[Istanbul Open]] clay-court tournament, ending a title drought on red clay since the [[2009 French Open]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/03/roger-federer-istanbul-open-win-pablo-cuevas |title=Roger Federer wins inaugural Istanbul Open against Pablo Cuevas |website=www.theguardian.com |date=3 May 2015 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011147/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/03/roger-federer-istanbul-open-win-pablo-cuevas |url-status=live }}</ref> He then reached the [[2015 Italian Open – Men's singles|Italian Open]] final, but was unable to win his first title there, losing to Djokovic in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/05/19/Rome-Final-Djokovic-Federer.aspx|title=Djokovic Wins Fourth Rome Crown; Fourth Masters 1000 Title Of 2015|access-date=3 June 2015|archive-date=19 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519215252/http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/05/19/Rome-Final-Djokovic-Federer.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2015 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]], he lost in the quarterfinals by the eventual champion Stan Wawrinka.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jun/02/roger-federer-stanislas-wawrinka-french-open-2015-live |title=Stanislas Wawrinka knocks out Roger Federer at French Open – as it happened |website=www.theguardian.com |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011151/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jun/02/roger-federer-stanislas-wawrinka-french-open-2015-live |url-status=live }}</ref> As the new expanded grass season began, Federer won his record eighth [[2015 Gerry Weber Open|Gerry Weber Open]] and became only the third man in the Open Era to win a title eight times.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/13123971/roger-federer-beats-andreas-seppi-claim-record-eighth-title-gerry-weber-open|title=Roger Federer beats Andreas Seppi to claim record eighth title at Gerry Weber Open|publisher=ESPN|date=21 June 2015|access-date=22 June 2015|archive-date=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409220514/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13123971/roger-federer-beats-andreas-seppi-claim-record-eighth-title-gerry-weber-open|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[2015 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Federer defeated Murray in straight sets in the semifinals to advance to his tenth Wimbledon final, which he lost to Djokovic in four sets in a rematch of the previous year's final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/33499557|title=Wimbledon 2015: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in final|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=17 July 2015|date=12 July 2015|first=Piers|last=Newbery|archive-date=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909153444/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/33499557|url-status=live}}</ref>

Federer defeated Murray and Djokovic in straight sets to win the [[2015 Western & Southern Open – Men's singles|Cincinnati Masters]] for the seventh time. This marked the first time that Federer defeated the top two players in the world at the same event.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger Federer wins seventh Cincinnati Masters title|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/34035454|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 August 2015|date=23 August 2015|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715024004/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/34035454|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], he advanced to his first final there since 2009 without dropping a set, including a win over Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/us-open-2015-roger-federer-swats-aside-stan-wawrinka-to-reach-final|title=US Open 2015: Roger Federer swats aside Stan Wawrinka to reach final|work=The Guardian|first=Kevin|last=Mitchell|date=12 September 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926174043/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/us-open-2015-roger-federer-swats-aside-stan-wawrinka-to-reach-final|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final, he was once again beaten by top seed Djokovic in four sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/34241632|title=US Open 2015: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in final|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Piers|last=Newbery|date=14 September 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626210333/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/34241632|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer then won the [[2015 Swiss Indoors – Singles|Swiss Indoors]], defeating Nadal in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to win Swiss Indoors title|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/34693874|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 November 2015|date=1 November 2015|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715025339/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/34693874|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December, Federer announced that Stefan Edberg would be replaced by Croatian former world No. 3 player [[Ivan Ljubičić]], with countryman Severin Lüthi remaining his head coach. Federer revealed that Edberg originally signed on to the coaching team for one season only in 2014 but agreed to stay on in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-new-look-team-2016|title=Federer To Begin 2016 With New-Look Team &#124; ATP Tour &#124; Tennis|website=ATP Tour|access-date=26 July 2019|archive-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718075556/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-new-look-team-2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2016: Knee surgery, back injury, and long recovery hiatus====
{{Main|2016 Roger Federer tennis season}}
Federer started his season in the [[2016 Brisbane International – Men's singles|Brisbane International]] as the defending champion. However, in a rematch of the previous year's final, he lost in the final to Milos Raonic in straight sets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35275896|title=Brisbane International: Milos Raonic beats Roger Federer|date=10 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629030516/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35275896|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2016 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], he lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in four sets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35428216|title=Australian Open 2016: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer|date=28 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427171128/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35428216|url-status=live}}</ref> The day after his loss to Djokovic, Federer sustained a knee injury and in early February, he underwent [[arthroscopic surgery]] to repair a [[torn meniscus]] in his knee and missed the tournaments in [[2016 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament|Rotterdam]], [[2016 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai]], and [[2016 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] in February and March.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/feb/03/roger-federer-knee-surgery |title=Roger Federer faces a month on sidelines after knee surgery |date=3 February 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=3 February 2016 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518072306/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/feb/03/roger-federer-knee-surgery |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to a stomach virus, he had to withdraw from the [[2016 Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]], thus prolonging his time on the sidelines.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35901070 |title=Roger Federer pulls out of comeback match at Miami Open |date=25 March 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=25 March 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421221221/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35901070 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federer made his comeback at the [[2016 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters – Singles|Monte-Carlo Masters]], losing in the quarterfinals to Tsonga in three sets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/roger-federer-eliminated-monte-carlo-masters-2016 |title=Roger Federer eliminated from Monte Carlo Masters 2016 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |date=15 April 2016 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/roger-federer-eliminated-monte-carlo-masters-2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> He then participated in the [[2016 Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] where he lost in the third round to [[Dominic Thiem]]. His withdrawal from the [[2016 French Open|French Open]] broke a record run of 65 consecutive participations in the main draw of Grand Slam tournaments, stretching back to the [[2000 Australian Open]].<ref name=65streak/><ref>{{cite news|title=Roger Federer: Former world number one withdraws from French Open|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36336722|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 May 2016|date=19 May 2016|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402001555/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36336722|url-status=live}}</ref>

Still suffering from recurring knee pain during the grass season, he lost in the semifinals of [[2016 MercedesCup – Singles|Stuttgart]] and [[2016 Gerry Weber Open – Singles|Halle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36567218 |title=Roger Federer loses in semi-final of Wimbledon warm-up event |website=www.bbc.com |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36567218 |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], Federer came back from two sets down to defeat Marin Čilić in the quarterfinals, equalling Jimmy Connors's all-time records of 11 Wimbledon semifinals and 84 match wins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/wimbledon16/story/_/id/16827251/roger-federer-capacity-surprise|title=The comeback king: Roger Federer still has the capacity to surprise|publisher=ESPN|first=Greg|last=Garber|date=6 July 2016|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=17 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717031254/http://espn.go.com/tennis/wimbledon16/story/_/id/16827251/roger-federer-capacity-surprise|url-status=live}}</ref> He then suffered his first defeat in a Wimbledon semifinal in a five-set loss to Raonic, re-injuring his knee in the fifth set.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36748029|title=Wimbledon 2016: Milos Raonic beats Roger Federer to reach first Grand Slam final|last=Newbery|first=Piers|date=8 July 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421224441/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36748029|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 July, Federer announced that he would miss the [[Tennis at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's singles|Summer Olympics]] and the remainder of the 2016 season to recover fully from his knee injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36899496 |title=Roger Federer to miss Rio 2016 Olympics and rest of season with knee injury |date=26 July 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=26 July 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421221413/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36899496 |url-status=live }}</ref> The sudden withdrawal not only implied that 2016 would be Federer's first season since 2000 in which he failed to win a title, but it also meant that he would have to drop out of the top ten for the first time in fourteen years. This, combined with a grand slam drought spanning over four years, led to many analysts believing that his outstanding career was finally coming to an end and that he would never win any major titles again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/is-this-the-end-for-roger-federer-072716|title=Is this the end for Roger Federer?|date=27 July 2016|website=FOX Sports|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421214011/https://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/is-this-the-end-for-roger-federer-072716|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2016/05/03/roger-federer-will-never-win-another-grand-slam---heres-why/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2016/05/03/roger-federer-will-never-win-another-grand-slam---heres-why/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Why Roger Federer will never win another grand slam|first=Charlie|last=Eccleshare|date=3 May 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

====2017: Renaissance with Australian Open and Wimbledon titles====
{{main|2017 Roger Federer tennis season}}
Federer's 2017 season marked a return to Grand Slam wins since 2012, the most titles since 2007, and the highest win percentage since 2006. Statistically, this season was his best since 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 August 2017|title=Federer's comeback season 'off the charts', says pundits|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-usopen-federer-idUSKCN1B42E7|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607170215/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-usopen-federer-idUSKCN1B42E7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Think You Missed Roger Federer At His Peak? Think Again {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-serving-his-best-infosys-2017|access-date=7 June 2020|website=ATP Tour|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607170223/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-serving-his-best-infosys-2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

His 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. At the [[2017 Australian Open|Australian Open]], Federer defeated top-10 players Tomáš Berdych and [[Kei Nishikori]] on his way to the semifinals, making Federer the oldest man to compete in a grand slam semifinal since Jimmy Connors in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2017-roger-federer-beats-kei-nishikori-in-enthralling-fiveset-battle-20170122-gtwi6u.html|title=Australian Open 2017: Roger Federer beats Kei Nishikori in enthralling five-set battle|first=Michael|last=Gleeson|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=22 January 2017|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=23 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123062655/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2017-roger-federer-beats-kei-nishikori-in-enthralling-fiveset-battle-20170122-gtwi6u.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There, he defeated Wawrinka in five sets, making him the oldest player to compete in a Grand Slam final since [[Ken Rosewall]] in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-26/australian-open--roger-federer-beats-stan-wawrinka-to-make-final/8215832|title=Australian Open: Roger Federer outlasts Stan Wawrinka in five sets to make Melbourne Park final|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=26 January 2017|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229132143/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-26/australian-open--roger-federer-beats-stan-wawrinka-to-make-final/8215832|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38755188|title=Roger Federer beats Stan Wawrinka to reach Australian Open final|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 January 2017|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231183252/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38755188|url-status=live}}</ref> Coming back from a break down in the fifth set, Federer defeated Rafael Nadal to win his first major since 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38787436|title=Australian Open: Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to win 18th Grand Slam title|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2017|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110052942/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38787436|url-status=live}}</ref> The final also marked Federer's 100th match at the Australian Open, and Federer's first-ever Grand Slam victory over Nadal outside of the grass courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/federer-beats-nadal-australian-open-2017-final|title=Federer Tops Nadal In Epic For 18th Major Crown|publisher=ATP World Tour|date=30 January 2017|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116063212/https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/federer-beats-nadal-australian-open-2017-final|url-status=live}}</ref> With this victory, he also re-entered the top ten.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/match_reports/2017-01-29/federers_high_five.html|title=Federer's high five|first=Matt |last=Trollope |publisher=ausopen.com|date=30 January 2017|access-date=30 January 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129155912/https://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/match_reports/2017-01-29/federers_high_five.html|archive-date=29 January 2017}}</ref>

In March, Federer won his 90th career title at [[2017 BNP Paribas Open – Men's singles|Indian Wells]], defeating Wawrinka in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/federer-sets-new-goals-after-indian-wells-triumph-2017-sunday|title=Federer reassesses goals after Indian Wells triumph|publisher=ATP World Tour|date=20 March 2017|access-date=20 March 2017|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116062350/https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/federer-sets-new-goals-after-indian-wells-triumph-2017-sunday|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2017 Miami Open – Men's singles|Miami]], Federer defeated Nadal in the final in straight sets and climbed to No. 4 in the ATP rankings. This marked the third time Federer had won the Sunshine Double.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/miami-2017-final-federer-nadal|title=Federer Completes Third Sunshine Double With Miami Title|publisher=ATP World Tour|date=2 April 2017|access-date=7 April 2017|archive-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403110825/http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/miami-2017-final-federer-nadal|url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to concerns about his longevity, Federer decided that he would skip the entire clay-court season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19389305/roger-federer-skip-french-open-eyes-upcoming-grass-court-season|title=Roger Federer will skip French Open, eyes grass-court season|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=15 May 2017|access-date=15 May 2017|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116060457/http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19389305/roger-federer-skip-french-open-eyes-upcoming-grass-court-season|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned to the tour at [[2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Stuttgart]], where he suffered a shock defeat to Tommy Haas in the second round despite holding match points, the lowest-ranked player (No. 302) to beat him since No. 407 Bjoern Phau in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/atp-stuttgart/2017/roger-federer-returns-with-win-over-tommy-haas-in-stuttgart_sto6216781/story.shtml|title=Roger Federer stunned by Tommy Haas in first game back|publisher=Eurosport|date=14 June 2017|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626210317/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/atp-stuttgart/2017/roger-federer-returns-with-win-over-tommy-haas-in-stuttgart_sto6216781/story.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He rebounded the following week by winning a record-extending ninth title at the [[Halle Open|Gerry Weber Open]] in Halle, doing so without the loss of a set.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19731380/roger-federer-claims-92nd-title-tennis-career-victory-gerry-weber-open-halle-germany|title=Roger Federer warms up for Wimbledon with 92nd career title|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=25 June 2017|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116060423/http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19731380/roger-federer-claims-92nd-title-tennis-career-victory-gerry-weber-open-halle-germany|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer then won [[2017 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]] without dropping a set, defeating Marin Čilić in the final to win a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title and his record-extending 19th major title overall, becoming the oldest male player to win Wimbledon in the Open era.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/cilic-federer-wimbledon-2017-final-set-by-set |title=How the 2017 Wimbledon Final Was Won |publisher=ATP World Tour |date=17 July 2017 |access-date=17 July 2017 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116062643/https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/cilic-federer-wimbledon-2017-final-set-by-set |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer became the second man in the Open era to win Wimbledon without dropping a set after [[Björn Borg]] in [[1976 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|1976]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.in/tennis/story/_/id/20080962/wimbledon-somehow-roger-federer-keeps-pushing-boundaries-greatness|title=Somehow, Roger Federer keeps pushing the boundaries of greatness|publisher=ESPN|first=Kurt|last=Streeter|date=17 July 2017|access-date=17 July 2017|archive-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117042756/http://www.espn.in/tennis/story/_/id/20080962/wimbledon-somehow-roger-federer-keeps-pushing-boundaries-greatness|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the opening of the summer hard court swing, Federer lost the final of the [[2017 Rogers Cup|Canada Masters]] to [[Alexander Zverev]] after injuring his back during the match.<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 August 2017|title=Rogers Cup: Alexander Zverev beats Roger Federer in Montreal final-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40918025|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607192158/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40918025|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the injury, he opted to withdraw from the [[2017 Western & Southern Open|Cincinnati Masters]] to be fit for the [[2017 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]]. However, Federer lost to Juan Martín del Potro in the quarterfinals at the US Open.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 September 2017|title=US Open 2017: Juan Martin del Potro beats Roger Federer to make semi-finals-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41182558|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607192155/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41182558|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September, Federer represented Team Europe in the [[2017 Laver Cup|inaugural Laver Cup]], a tournament that he had founded. Federer won both his singles matches against [[Sam Querrey]] and [[Nick Kyrgios]], defeating the latter in the champion's tiebreak (saving a match point) to seal the cup for Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lavercup.com/news/2017/09/24/team-europe-wins-laver-cup-epic-federer-victory|title=Team Europe wins Laver Cup after epic Federer victory – Laver Cup|date=24 September 2017|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518144316/https://lavercup.com/news/2017/09/24/team-europe-wins-laver-cup-epic-federer-victory|url-status=live}}</ref> The tournament was also notable for Federer playing doubles with long-time rival Rafael Nadal for the first time, defeating the Team World duo of Querrey and [[Jack Sock]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 December 2017|title=Fedal pairing nominated for Sporting Moment of the Year {{!}} News|url=https://lavercup.com/news/2017/12/11/fedal-pairing-nominated-sporting-moment-year|access-date=7 June 2020|website=Laver Cup|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806233351/https://lavercup.com/news/2017/12/11/fedal-pairing-nominated-sporting-moment-year|url-status=live}}</ref> With three wins and seven points, Federer was the most accomplished player of the tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 September 2017|title=Laver Cup 2017: Team Europe beat Team World 15–9 in inaugural competition-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41381665|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=14 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914124608/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41381665|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Laver Cup 2017: Europe v The World – results & standings-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41326484|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=17 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917112834/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41326484|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2017 Shanghai Rolex Masters – Singles|Shanghai Masters]] Federer captured his third Masters title of the season, defeating No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final. This was Federer's fifth straight victory over Nadal in their rivalry and his 94th career title, drawing him level with 2nd-placed [[Ivan Lendl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enca.com/sport/tennis/federer-wins-shanghai-masters-with-straight-sets-victory-over-nadal|title=Federer wins Shanghai Masters with straight sets victory over Nadal|website=enca.com|access-date=15 October 2017|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426110148/https://www.enca.com/sport/tennis/federer-wins-shanghai-masters-with-straight-sets-victory-over-nadal|url-status=dead}}</ref> Federer then defeated Juan Martín del Potro in the final of the [[2017 Swiss Indoors – Singles|Swiss Indoors]] to surpass Ivan Lendl in number of career titles.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 October 2017|title=Swiss Indoors: Roger Federer beats Juan Martín del Potro to win eighth Basel title-gb|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41796315|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607171542/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41796315|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer qualified for the [[2017 ATP Finals]], but was beaten by [[David Goffin]] in the semifinals in three sets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Goffin Shocks Federer In London {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/goffin-federer-nitto-atp-finals-2017-saturday-sf-atp|access-date=7 June 2020|website=ATP Tour|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607170220/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/goffin-federer-nitto-atp-finals-2017-saturday-sf-atp|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2018: 20th major title and oldest No. 1====
{{main|2018 Roger Federer tennis season}}

Federer started his season by winning his second [[2018 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]] title, this time partnering with [[Belinda Bencic]], after having won previously in 2001 with [[Martina Hingis]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hopmancup.com/2018/01/kerber-zone-level-final/|title=Swiss precision lands third Hopman Cup title – Hopman Cup|date=6 January 2018|work=Hopman Cup|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185547/https://hopmancup.com/2018/01/kerber-zone-level-final/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Swiss team won all its ties and Federer won every match he played, defeating the [[Germany at the Hopman Cup|German]] pair, [[Alexander Zverev]] and [[Angelique Kerber]], in the final 2–1.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=6 January 2018|title=Roger Federer in fine form as Switzerland seal third Hopman Cup victory|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jan/06/roger-federer-in-fine-form-as-switzerland-seal-third-hopman-cup|access-date=7 June 2020|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514210832/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jan/06/roger-federer-in-fine-form-as-switzerland-seal-third-hopman-cup|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2018 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], Federer reached the final without dropping a set, and successfully defended his title beating Marin Čilić in a five-set final. It was Federer's sixth title at the [[Australian Open]], equaling the then record held by [[Roy Emerson]] and Novak Djokovic, which was surpassed by Djokovic in 2019. He also became the first man to win twenty [[List of Grand Slam men's singles champions|Grand Slam]] titles. It was also the first time since the 2008 US Open that Federer successfully defended a major title.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roger Federer wins sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/42851064|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 February 2018|date=28 January 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109021238/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/42851064|url-status=live}}</ref>

In mid-February, Federer defeated [[Grigor Dimitrov]] to win his third [[Rotterdam Open]] title and return to No. 1 in the ATP rankings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger Federer, 36, to become oldest No. 1 ever in ATP rankings|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/22468637/roger-federer-returns-top-atp-rankings-oldest-ever-36|publisher=ESPN|access-date=19 February 2018|date=16 February 2018|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130154248/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/22468637/roger-federer-returns-top-atp-rankings-oldest-ever-36|url-status=live}}</ref> At 36 years and 195 days of age, he became the oldest ATP world No. 1 by more than three years, a record that stood until Novak Djokovic broke the record in 2024. He also broke the ATP record for the longest span between two successive reigns at No. 1 at 5 years and 106 days.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger Federer wins Rotterdam Open two days after becoming world No 1|work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11256610/roger-federer-wins-rotterdam-open-two-days-after-becoming-world-no-1|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=19 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219055137/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11256610/roger-federer-wins-rotterdam-open-two-days-after-becoming-world-no-1|url-status=live}}</ref> In March, Federer entered the [[2018 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Masters]], where he defeated [[Chung Hyeon]] in the semifinals for a career-best start to a season at 17–0, beating his previous best start at 16–0 in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/indian-wells-2018-saturday-federer-coric|title=Federer Outlasts Coric, Completes Best Start To A Season {{!}} ATP World Tour {{!}} Tennis|work=ATP World Tour|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321020217/http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/indian-wells-2018-saturday-federer-coric|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite holding three championship points, Federer was defeated by Juan Martín del Potro in a close three-set final. After a second-round exit to [[Thanasi Kokkinakis]] in [[2018 Miami Open|Miami]], Federer announced that he would miss the clay court season, including the French Open, for the second consecutive season, thus allowing Nadal to regain his No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/43529911|title=Miami Open: Roger Federer to lose top spot and miss French Open after defeat|date=25 March 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-date=4 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304164459/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/43529911|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June, Federer regained the No. 1 ranking at the [[2018 MercedesCup – Singles|Stuttgart Open]], which he won after defeating Milos Raonic in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roger Federer beats Milos Raonic to win Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11407773/roger-federer-beats-milos-raonic-to-win-mercedes-cup-in-stuttgart |access-date=19 June 2018 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826124622/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11407773/roger-federer-beats-milos-raonic-to-win-mercedes-cup-in-stuttgart |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he lost his No. 1 ranking for the last time in the following week when he failed to defend his [[Halle Open]] title, losing in the final to Borna Ćorić in three sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Borna Coric defeats Roger Federer in absorbing Gerry Weber Open final in Halle|work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11414634/borna-coric-defeats-roger-federer-in-absorbing-gerry-weber-open-final-in-halle|access-date=24 June 2018|archive-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730153947/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11414634/borna-coric-defeats-roger-federer-in-absorbing-gerry-weber-open-final-in-halle|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], Federer was seeded first at a Grand Slam for the first time since the [[2012 US Open (tennis)|2012 US Open]], but he lost in the quarterfinals to [[Kevin Anderson (tennis)|Kevin Anderson]] in five sets, despite being two sets up and having a match point in the third.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24069423/2018-wimbledon-roger-federer-squanders-huge-lead-kevin-anderson |title=Roger Federer squanders huge lead at Wimbledon |work=ESPN |date=11 July 2018 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011147/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24069423/2018-wimbledon-roger-federer-squanders-huge-lead-kevin-anderson |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federer next played in [[2018 Western & Southern Open – Men's singles|Cincinnati]], where he lost in the final to Novak Djokovic, who won a record Career Golden Masters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Djokovic clinches career golden Masters |url=https://www.sport24.co.za/Tennis/ATPTour/djokovic-beats-federer-to-win-in-cincinnati-20180820 |publisher=Sport24 |access-date=20 August 2018 |date=20 August 2018 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518121818/https://www.sport24.co.za/Tennis/ATPTour/djokovic-beats-federer-to-win-in-cincinnati-20180820 |url-status=live }}</ref> The loss ended Federer's run of 100 consecutive service holds and 14-match winning streak in Cincinnati. At the [[2018 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Federer was upset by [[John Millman]] in the 4th round, citing extreme conditions of heat and humidity that took a toll on his body.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australia-s-john-millman-victorious-against-roger-federer-at-us-open-20180904-p501ot.html|title=Australia's John Millman victorious against Roger Federer at US Open|date=4 September 2018|last=Barry|first=Jamie|access-date=4 September 2018|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|archive-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507145223/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australia-s-john-millman-victorious-against-roger-federer-at-us-open-20180904-p501ot.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Federer then played at the [[2018 Laver Cup|Laver Cup]] where he successfully helped Team Europe defend their title, winning both his singles matches against Nick Kyrgios and John Isner.<ref>{{cite web|title=Laver Cup 2018 results: Team Europe WIN – Roger Federer and Zverev seal Chicago glory|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1021028/Laver-Cup-2018-results-latest-scores-updates-Team-Europe-vs-Team-World-Federer-Djokovic|publisher=Express|access-date=14 October 2018|date=24 September 2018|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518130801/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1021028/Laver-Cup-2018-results-latest-scores-updates-Team-Europe-vs-Team-World-Federer-Djokovic|url-status=live}}</ref> He also paired up with Djokovic in doubles for the first time in his career, losing their match against Jack Sock and Kevin Anderson in three sets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/24755425/tennis-roger-federer-novak-djokovic-doubles-combo-work-progress |title=The Federer-Djokovic doubles combo a work in progress |work=ESPN |date=21 September 2018 |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/24755425/tennis-roger-federer-novak-djokovic-doubles-combo-work-progress |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the [[2018 Swiss Indoors – Singles|Swiss Indoors]] in October, Federer defended his title with a straight-sets win over [[Marius Copil]] in the final, winning his 9th title at the event and his 99th career singles title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roger Federer wins Swiss Indoors to claim 99th career ATP title |url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/25106836/roger-federer-wins-swiss-indoors-99th-career-atp-title |publisher=ESPN |access-date=28 October 2018 |date=28 October 2018 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413074301/http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/25106836/roger-federer-wins-swiss-indoors-99th-career-atp-title |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2018 Rolex Paris Masters|Paris Masters]], Federer lost in the semifinals to Djokovic. At the [[2018 ATP Finals|ATP Finals]], Federer lost in straight sets to Alexander Zverev in the semifinal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zverev Beats Federer To Reach Final In London {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-zverev-nitto-atp-finals-2018-saturday-atp|access-date=7 June 2020|website=ATP Tour|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607164428/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-zverev-nitto-atp-finals-2018-saturday-atp|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2019: Record third Hopman Cup, 100th title, 1,200th match win and 12th Wimbledon final====
{{main|2019 Roger Federer tennis season}}

Federer opened his campaign by retaining the [[2019 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]] alongside Belinda Bencic, becoming the first player to win the mixed-gender event three times.<ref>{{cite news | title=Hopman Cup: Roger Federer & Belinda Bencic retain title for Switzerland | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46768533 | date=5 January 2019 | access-date=10 January 2019 | publisher=BBC Sport | archive-date=26 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426110140/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46768533 | url-status=live }}</ref> They again defeated Zverev and Kerber of Germany in the final and won the final tie by a tiebreak in the decisive set (5–4).<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 January 2019|title=Federer wins record third Hopman Cup crown|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-06/roger-federer-wins-record-third-hopman-cup-crown/10687474|access-date=7 June 2020|website=www.abc.net.au|archive-date=11 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111213901/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-06/roger-federer-wins-record-third-hopman-cup-crown/10687474|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2019 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], Federer was upset by [[Stefanos Tsitsipas]] in four close sets. After the match, Federer announced he would play the clay court season for the first time since 2016.<ref>{{cite news | title=Roger Federer plans to play clay-court season after Australian Open exit | publisher=BBC Sport | date=20 January 2019 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46937116 | access-date=1 July 2019 | archive-date=13 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513021846/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46937116 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Federer beaten by Stefanos Tsitsipas in Australian Open fourth round |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46937398 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 January 2019 |date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427171658/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46937398 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2019 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai Championships]], Federer defeated Tsitsipas in straight sets in the final to win his 100th career singles title, thus becoming only the second man after [[Jimmy Connors]] to reach the three figure mark in the Open Era.<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Federer wins 100th ATP title in Dubai with victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/47428945 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=3 March 2019 |date=2 March 2019 |archive-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715025038/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/47428945 |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer then reached the finals of both [[2019 BNP Paribas Open – Men's singles|Indian Wells]], where he lost to [[Dominic Thiem]], and [[2019 Miami Open – Men's singles|Miami]], where he defeated [[John Isner]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dominic Thiem upsets Roger Federer at Indian Wells for first Masters title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/17/dominic-thiem-roger-federer-indian-wells-tennis-final |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=19 March 2019 |date=18 March 2019 |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518155753/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/17/dominic-thiem-roger-federer-indian-wells-tennis-final |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Federer beats hobbled John Isner at Miami Open for 101st career title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/31/roger-federer-john-isner-miami-open-tennis-final |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=1 April 2019 |date=31 March 2019 |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518134808/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/31/roger-federer-john-isner-miami-open-tennis-final |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federer played his first clay court tournament in three years at the [[2019 Mutua Madrid Open – Men's singles|Madrid Open]], where after securing his 1200th career win in the third round against [[Gaël Monfils]], he lost in the quarterfinals to Dominic Thiem, despite having two match points in the second set.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/26717926/federer-drops-two-match-points-falls-thiem |title=Federer drops two match points, falls to Thiem |work=ESPN |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220011146/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/26717926/federer-drops-two-match-points-falls-thiem |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer played at the [[2019 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]] for the first time in 4 years. In the quarterfinals, he avenged his loss to Wawrinka at the same stage of the tournament 4 years ago, but then lost in the semifinals to defending and 11-time champion Nadal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Federer to face Rafael Nadal in French Open semi-finals |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48514159 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=4 June 2019 |date=4 June 2019 |archive-date=25 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825120643/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48514159 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federer began his grass court season at the [[2019 Halle Open – Singles|Halle Open]] where he won his tenth title at the event, defeating [[David Goffin]] in the final in straight sets. This marked the first time Federer had won a singles tournament ten times or more.<ref>{{cite web |title=Federer Win 10th Halle Title, Sends Wimbledon Warning |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-goffin-halle-2019-final |publisher=ATP Tour |access-date=23 June 2019 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518112400/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-goffin-halle-2019-final |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], Federer defeated Nadal in their [[Federer–Nadal rivalry|40th and final professional meeting]] to reach his record 12th final at the tournament. This was also the first time Federer played Nadal at Wimbledon since the [[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles final|2008 Wimbledon final]], and at {{age in years, months and days|1981|08|08|2019|07|14}}, Federer became the oldest man to reach a major final since [[Ken Rosewall]] in the [[1974 US Open – Men's singles|1974 US Open]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon-2019-result-roger-federer-vs-rafael-nadal-reach-final-novak-djokovic-a9003026.html |title=Wimbledon 2019 result: Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal in four-set classic to reach 12th final |website=www.independent.co.uk |date=14 July 2019 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215114934/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon-2019-result-roger-federer-vs-rafael-nadal-reach-final-novak-djokovic-a9003026.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal in four sets to reach Wimbledon men's final |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/12/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-wimbledon-semi-final-match-report |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=14 July 2019 |date=12 July 2019 |last1=Mitchell |first1=Kevin |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518130916/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/12/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-wimbledon-semi-final-match-report |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer then faced Djokovic in the [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles final|final]], against whom he lost in a five-set thriller lasting 4 hours and 57 minutes, despite having two championship points on serve in the fifth set. The match also marked the first time a fifth set tiebreaker was played at 12 games all and was the longest final in Wimbledon history.<ref name=wimby19>{{cite news |title=Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in Wimbledon final-set tie-break thriller |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48981518 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 July 2019 |date=14 July 2019 |archive-date=20 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320151328/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48981518 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federer next played at the [[2019 Western & Southern Open – Men's singles|Cincinnati Masters]] and reached the third round where he lost in straight sets to [[Andrey Rublev]]. This was his quickest defeat in 16 years, taking just 62 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roger Federer suffers his fastest defeat in 16 years at the Cincinnati Masters |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/16/tennis/federer-rublev-tennis-loss-cincinnati-spt-intl/index.html |website=CNN |date=16 August 2019 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816125734/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/16/tennis/federer-rublev-tennis-loss-cincinnati-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2019 US Open – Men's singles|US Open]], Federer lost in the quarterfinals to No. 78 [[Grigor Dimitrov]] in five sets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/04/us-open-roger-federer-grigor-dimitrov |title=Ailing Roger Federer's US Open run ended as Grigor Dimitrov springs upset |website=www.theguardian.com |date=4 September 2019 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426082843/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/04/us-open-roger-federer-grigor-dimitrov |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2019 Laver Cup|Laver Cup]] in Geneva, Federer won singles matches against Kyrgios and Isner to help the European team capture their third consecutive title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/federer-zverev-win-europe-retains-laver-cup-title/ |title=Federer, Zverev win as Europe retains Laver Cup title |website=www.sportsnet.ca |date=22 September 2019 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/federer-zverev-win-europe-retains-laver-cup-title/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2019 Rolex Shanghai Masters – Singles|Shanghai Masters]], Federer lost in the quarterfinals to [[Alexander Zverev]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livetennis.com/category/tournaments/federer-handed-point-penalty-in-surprise-defeat-to-zverev-in-shanghai-20191011/|title=Federer handed point penalty in surprise defeat to Zverev at the Shanghai Masters|access-date=11 October 2019|website=Live Tennis|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012054815/http://www.livetennis.com/category/tournaments/federer-handed-point-penalty-in-surprise-defeat-to-zverev-in-shanghai-20191011/|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the [[2019 Swiss Indoors – Singles|Swiss Indoors]], Federer played the 1500th match of his career in the first round, beating [[Peter Gojowczyk]] in less than an hour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/27897073/roger-federer-wins-easily-basel-1500th-tour-singles-match |title=Rodger Federer wins easily at Basel in 1,500th tour singles match |publisher=ESPN |date=28 October 2019 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217054526/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/27897073/roger-federer-wins-easily-basel-1500th-tour-singles-match |url-status=live }}</ref> In the final, he defeated [[Alex de Minaur]] in straight sets for a record-extending tenth Swiss Indoors title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/27939759/roger-federer-wins-10th-basel-crown-victory-alex-de-minaur?platform=amp |title=Roger Federer claims 10th Basel crown with victory over Alex de Minaur |publisher=ESPN |date=28 October 2019 |access-date=28 October 2019 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518134809/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/27939759/roger-federer-wins-10th-basel-crown-victory-alex-de-minaur?platform=amp |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2019 ATP Finals – Singles|ATP Finals]], Federer rebounded from an opening match loss to Dominic Thiem to defeat [[Matteo Berrettini]] and Djokovic (his first win over Djokovic since 2015) in straight sets to qualify for the semifinals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic at 2019 ATP Finals in London |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/50423549 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115121331/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/50423549 |url-status=live }}</ref> He then lost the semifinal to Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Roger Federer & faces Dominic Thiem for title at ATP Finals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/50446609 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116221615/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/50446609 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2020s===

====2020–2022: Final years====
Federer began his 2020 season at the [[2020 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]], where he reached the semifinals after saving seven match points in his five-set quarterfinal win over [[Tennys Sandgren]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Roger Federer Saves Seven Match Points And Beats Tennys Sandgren At Australian Open |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2873445-roger-federer-saves-7-match-points-beats-tennys-sandgren-at-australian-open |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=28 January 2020 |archive-date=29 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129161408/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2873445-roger-federer-saves-7-match-points-beats-tennys-sandgren-at-australian-open |url-status=live }}</ref> Federer then lost his semifinal match to Djokovic in straight sets, having sustained a groin injury earlier in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brilliant Djokovic Beats Federer, Reaches Australian Open Final |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-federer-2020-australian-open-semifinal |website=ATP Tour |access-date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130115307/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-federer-2020-australian-open-semifinal |url-status=live }}</ref> In February, Federer underwent arthroscopic surgery for a right knee injury and subsequently withdrew from the [[2020 Dubai Tennis Championships – Men's singles|Dubai Championships]], [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells]], [[Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]] and the [[2020 French Open|French Open]] to give time for his knee to recover for the grass season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Federer Undergoes Right Knee Surgery, Set To Return In June |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-right-knee-surgery-announcement |website=ATP Tour |access-date=22 February 2020 |archive-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221162456/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-right-knee-surgery-announcement |url-status=live }}</ref> On 10 June, 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. This was only the second year in Federer's career since he won his first title that he finished without a title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Federer Announces Right Knee Procedure, To Return In 2021 |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-procedure-announcement-june-2020 |website=ATP Tour |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610092914/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-procedure-announcement-june-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2021, Federer withdrew from the [[2021 Australian Open – Men's singles|Australian Open]] due to still recovering from knee surgery and strict [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] quarantine measures in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roger Federer Withdraws From The Australian Open |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-australian-open-2021-withdrawal |website=ATP Tour |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110155112/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-australian-open-2021-withdrawal |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Roger Federer's Australian Open Withdrawal due to Family not Injury – Tennis Australia Official |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/australian-open/2021/roger-federer-s-ausralian-open-withdrawal-due-to-family-not-injury-tennis-australia-official_sto8056351/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |date=7 January 2021 |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120003514/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/australian-open/2021/roger-federer-s-ausralian-open-withdrawal-due-to-family-not-injury-tennis-australia-official_sto8056351/story.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> On 8 March, [[Novak Djokovic]] surpassed him for the most career weeks spent as the [[Open Era tennis records – men's singles#ATP rankings achievements|ATP number 1 ranked player]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Djokovic Sets New All-Time Record For Weeks At No. 1 In FedEx ATP Rankings |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-311-weeks-no-1-fedex-atp-rankings |website=atptour.com |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308150555/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-311-weeks-no-1-fedex-atp-rankings |url-status=live }}</ref> On 10 March, he made his return to the ATP Tour at the [[2021 Qatar ExxonMobil Open – Singles|Qatar Open]], where he won his first ATP match in 14 months against [[Dan Evans (tennis)|Dan Evans]] before losing to [[Nikoloz Basilashvili]] in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/11/roger-federer-comeback-qatar-open-ended-nikoloz-basilashvili-tennis|title=Roger Federer's comeback at Qatar Open ended by Nikoloz Basilashvili|website=The Guardian|date=11 March 2021|access-date=12 March 2021|archive-date=12 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312091021/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/11/roger-federer-comeback-qatar-open-ended-nikoloz-basilashvili-tennis|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2021 French Open – Men's singles|French Open]], Federer withdrew from the tournament before his fourth-round match citing knee problems, giving a [[walkover]] to [[Matteo Berrettini]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/06/tennis/roger-federer-knee-french-open-spt-intl/index.html|title=Roger Federer withdraws from French Open over knee concerns|website=[[CNN]]|date=6 June 2021|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606180010/https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/06/tennis/roger-federer-knee-french-open-spt-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2021 Halle Open|Halle]], he lost in the second round to [[Félix Auger-Aliassime]], with their 19-year age difference being the biggest in Federer's 1,521 career matches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-auger-aliassime-halle-2021-tuesday|title=Felix Auger-Aliassime Stuns 'Idol' Roger Federer to Reach Halle QF &#124; ATP Tour &#124; Tennis|work=ATP Tour |access-date=22 June 2021|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531041235/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-auger-aliassime-halle-2021-tuesday|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/On_the_ATP_results_with/99043/atp-halle-roger-federer-experiences-earliest-exit-to-felix-augeraliassime|title=ATP Halle: Roger Federer experiences earliest exit to Felix Auger-Aliassime|date=16 June 2021|access-date=22 June 2021|archive-date=16 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616150017/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/On_the_ATP_results_with/99043/atp-halle-roger-federer-experiences-earliest-exit-to-felix-augeraliassime/|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[2021 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|Wimbledon]], the nearly 40-year-old Federer became the oldest Wimbledon quarterfinalist in the Open Era, breaking the record held by [[Ken Rosewall]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/07/05/roger-federer-oldest-wimbledon-quarterfinals/|title=Roger Federer breaks age record for men in Open era, reaching Wimbledon quarters|date=5 July 2021|access-date=7 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705235414/https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/07/05/roger-federer-oldest-wimbledon-quarterfinals/|url-status=live}}</ref> but he was then upset by 14th seed [[Hubert Hurkacz]] in straight sets. This was the first time in 19 years at Wimbledon he had lost in straight sets, and only the second time he had lost a set 6–0 in the 21st century (the previous occasion was against Nadal in the [[2008 French Open – Men's singles|2008 French Open]] final).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10007216-roger-federer-upset-by-hubert-hurkacz-in-2021-wimbledon-quarterfinals|title=Roger Federer Upset by Hubert Hurkacz in 2021 Wimbledon Quarterfinals|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=7 July 2021|archive-date=7 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707220901/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10007216-roger-federer-upset-by-hubert-hurkacz-in-2021-wimbledon-quarterfinals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/wimbledon-quarterfinals-hubert-hurkacz-defeats-roger-federer-first-major-semi|title=In stunning, straight-set defeat to Hubert Hurkacz, Roger Federer suffers first 6–0 set loss at Wimbledon|access-date=7 July 2021|archive-date=7 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707212519/https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/wimbledon-quarterfinals-hubert-hurkacz-defeats-roger-federer-first-major-semi|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 August, Federer announced that he underwent another knee surgery after a further injury during the grass-court season. He withdrew from the [[2021 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], but he hoped to make a return to the tour in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-surgery-august-2021|title=Federer Announces Knee Surgery, US Open Withdrawal|website=ATP Tour|access-date=15 August 2021|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815202311/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-surgery-august-2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Federer did not play in a singles tournament after Wimbledon 2021, and dropped out of the top 50 on 13 June 2022. On 11 July 2022, he became unranked for the first time since his professional debut.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2022 |title=Roger Federer Rankings History ATP Tour Tennis |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/players/roger-federer/f324/rankings-history |access-date=20 June 2022 |website=ATP Tour |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603105137/https://www.atptour.com/en/players/roger-federer/f324/rankings-history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Federer out of ATP rankings for 1st time in 25 yrs |language=en |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34226083/men-tennis-star-roger-federer-drops-atp-rankings-first-25-years-djokovic-kyrgios-fall-no-points-awarded-wimbledon |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711172546/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34226083/men-tennis-star-roger-federer-drops-atp-rankings-first-25-years-djokovic-kyrgios-fall-no-points-awarded-wimbledon |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Federer announced that he was set to return to the tour at the [[2022 Laver Cup]] in September.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2022 |title=Roger Federer set to to[sic] play Laver Cup followed by Basel with Rafael Nadal ready for his return in Madrid |work=Sky Sports News |url=https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/12599348/roger-federer-set-to-to-play-laver-cup-followed-by-basel-with-rafael-nadal-ready-for-his-return-in-madrid |access-date=20 June 2022 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620090244/https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/12599348/roger-federer-set-to-to-play-laver-cup-followed-by-basel-with-rafael-nadal-ready-for-his-return-in-madrid |url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 September 2022, he announced his impending retirement from professional tennis on the ATP Tour, noting that the Laver Cup would be his final ATP event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roger Federer Announces End Of Historic Career {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/roger-federer-retirement-legacy-story |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=ATP Tour |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001231114/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/roger-federer-retirement-legacy-story |url-status=live }}</ref> He stated that he "will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/tennis-legend-roger-federer-announces-retirement/story?id=89950551 | title=Tennis legend Roger Federer announces retirement | publisher=ABC News | date=15 September 2022 | accessdate=15 September 2022 | archive-date=15 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915133153/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/tennis-legend-roger-federer-announces-retirement/story?id=89950551 | url-status=live }}</ref> His final match resulted in a three-set loss in doubles partnering [[Federer–Nadal rivalry|long-time rival]] and friend [[Rafael Nadal]] against [[Jack Sock]] and [[Frances Tiafoe]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Erin |last=Walsh |date=23 September 2022 |title=Roger Federer Loses Farewell Doubles Match with Rafael Nadal at 2022 Laver Cup |work=Bleacher Report |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10050050-roger-federer-loses-farewell-doubles-match-with-rafael-nadal-at-2022-laver-cup |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924072109/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10050050-roger-federer-loses-farewell-doubles-match-with-rafael-nadal-at-2022-laver-cup |archive-date=24 September 2022 |url-status=live|quote=Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer played his final match alongside Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup on Friday at O2 Arena in London, and the duo fell 6–4, 6(2)–7, 9–11 loss to American duo Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.}}</ref> The match was his 1750th on the tour.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=23 September 2022 |title=Laver Cup Live: Federer Loses Doubles Showdown to End Career |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/23/sports/roger-federer-nadal-laver-cup |access-date=23 September 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923234149/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/23/sports/roger-federer-nadal-laver-cup |url-status=live }}</ref>