Paradox of 20-time Grand Slam champion ending his career by losing 0-6 at Grand Slam

Paradox of 20-time Grand Slam champion ending his career by losing 0-6 at Grand Slam

by Balasz Virag

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Without a doubt, Roger Federer has enjoyed one of the most fruitful tennis careers in the history of this beautiful sport, but often, he didn't make it beautiful for his opponents to stand on the other side of the court.

During his career, Roger Federer delivered a total of 94 bagels (winning a set 6-0). Some of them were even double bagels, like for example against Mischa Zverev in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Halle Open when the Swiss Maestro triumphed 6-0, 6-0. But one thing that didn't happen that often was the 20-time Grand Slam champion being bageled.

During his lengthy career, Federer lost a set 0-6 only five times and three of the bagels came during only his second year on the ATP Tour, back in 1999. In Monte Carlo, he lost 6-7(3), 0-6 to Vincent Spadea. One month later, Patrick Rafter defeated the Swiss player 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 and only two weeks later, Federer lost 3-6, 0-6 to Byron Black in the Queen's Club.

But for a very long time no more bagels were added to Federer's collection. Until 2008, when he faced Rafael Nadal in one of the most dominant Roland Garros finals by the Spaniard. Back then, he won 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 and after 9 years, added another 0-6 loss to Federer's short list of bagels.

The Swiss Maestro then spent another 13 years on the ATP Tour without ever losing a set 0-6. Until he faced Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals of the last year's Wimbledon. Federer lost the match 3-6, 6-7(4), 0-6 and eventually, that became his last Grand Slam match as he's set to retire at the 2022 Laver Cup.

Despite delivering a total of 94 bagels and losing 0-6 only once from 2000 until 2020, the sensational career of the 20-time Grand Slam champion ends with a little paradox, but he certainly won't remember that when he'll be counting the trophies in his enormous collection.

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