Roger Federer is a name known for tennis greatness. Throughout his career, he faced many tough opponents. He played 31 Grand Slam finals, showing off his amazing skill. But it’s the players he met most often in these finals that are most memorable. Let’s look at the five players Federer faced the most in these big matches.
5. Marin Cilic (2 Grand Slam Finals)
Roger Federer and Marin Cilic met twice in Grand Slam finals. In their 2017 Wimbledon final, Federer was in full control and won the title. But in the 2018 Australian Open, Cilic gave him a tough fight. After the match was tied 2-all, Federer won 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. This victory gave Federer his 20th Grand Slam title.
4. Andy Murray (3 Grand Slam Finals)
Roger Federer and Andy Murray faced each other in three Grand Slam finals. In their first meeting at the 2008 US Open, Federer won in straight sets. Then, in 2010, Federer beat Murray again in the Australian Open final. The most memorable match was the 2012 Wimbledon final. It was a tough four-set battle, but Federer won. Murray was aiming for his first Wimbledon title, but Federer’s experience won him his 7th Wimbledon title.
3. Andy Roddick (4 Grand Slam Finals)
Roger Federer and Andy Roddick had an amazing rivalry. They met in four Grand Slam finals, with Federer winning every time. The 2009 Wimbledon final was their longest match. It lasted over four hours. Federer won 5-7, 7-6(8-6), 7-6(7-5), 3-6, 16-14. This win gave Federer his 15th Grand Slam title and made him the leader in Grand Slam wins at the time.
2. Novak Djokovic (5 Grand Slam Finals)
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic faced off five times in Grand Slam finals. Djokovic won four of these matches. Their most dramatic match was in the 2019 Wimbledon final. Federer had two match points to win his 21st Grand Slam title. But Djokovic turned it around and won in a historic final-set tiebreaker.
1. Rafael Nadal (9 Grand Slam Finals)
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal met the most in Grand Slam finals. Their rivalry is one of the best in tennis. They played nine times, with Nadal winning six of the matches. The 2008 Wimbledon final is considered one of the best matches ever. After almost five hours of battle, Nadal won 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7. It was a key moment in their rivalry and showed the tough competition between these two legends.
Conclusion
Roger Federer’s career is full of unforgettable Grand Slam finals. The players he faced most often, like Marin Cilic, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, helped shape his amazing journey. These matches remain some of the best in tennis history. They show the fierce competition Federer faced in his quest for Grand Slam glory.
Also Read: How Much Did Jannik Sinner Earn With 2024 ATP Finals Title Win?
