Roger Federer faces question: Will he win another major?
MELBOURNE, Australia — So sings the tennis chorus: Will Roger Federer ever win a major title again?
The Australian Open this year appeared to be another shot for the 17-time major champion, who entered this tournament as the No. 2 seed and fresh off a 83rd career title at a Brisbane warm-up event two weeks ago.
But then Federer, the greatest of his generation and perhaps of all time, did the unthinkable: He lost in four sets to a player he was 10-0 against previously, failing to make the fourth round in Melbourne for the first time since 2001 and snapping a streak of 11 straight semifinal appearances here.
At 33, it's the question that looms largest over Federer, who now is without a major in his last 10 Grand Slam appearances, having last emerged a victor nearly three years ago, at Wimbledon in 2012.
"It was just a bad day," Federer told reporters after the 6-4, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(5) loss to world No. 46 Andreas Seppi. "I felt for some reason this morning it was not going to be very simple today."
Simple it was not. It's become clear that opponents no longer quiver across the net from Federer, who won 12 of 18 majors he played in between 2003 and 2008.
"If I had to bet, I would probably bet that he would win another [major]," said Andy Murray, the world No. 6 who has lost in three Grand Slam finals to Federer. "He's still playing great tennis. But Roger knows more than anyone how difficult these competitions are to win. And I think obviously when he was playing at his peak, he made it look extremely easy, but it's not. It's not an easy thing to do."
Since that 2012 Wimbledon, Federer has faced endless questions about his age, about how much longer he can and will play. He now has four kids, more than $88 million in prize money and a legacy in the sport. But it seems he wants one more major – at least one more.
"Roger can definitely win another major championship," said Justin Gimelstob, a former player and now a TV commentator and coach. "Obviously it is going to continue to get more challenging, but Roger has proved time and time again that he should never be counted out.
"It is understandable that the demise of Federer is brought up after tough losses in majors, but [his demise] won't happen anytime soon."
Pam Shriver, the veteran ESPN analyst, agreed, adding that Federer's greatest chance remains at Wimbledon, where he has won seven of his 17 trophies.
"I still maintain that he's the best grass court player, and he'll have a chance to win Wimbledon, certainly," Shriver said. "Throughout history, it has gotten harder for players to win a major as they've gotten older, but the best of the best can win them into their 30s, and they usually come up with a beauty at the end. I have a feeling he'll win one more."
Federer had a feeling on Friday in Melbourne that things might not go well, telling reporters after his loss that his ball striking was off, even during practice before his match. Is it a feeling that he fears will come up more often down the road?
"I don't read anything into that," Federer said, shooing such a suggestion. "It's just not the best feeling to have. It's not like I'm playing shocking or I'm feeling shocking. It's one of those things you look back and (think), 'Yeah, I didn't feel so good.' But if you win, you never even question it."
Seppi doesn't doubt there's another Slam in Federer's future, either.
"I think he's still playing because he believes he can win another one," Seppi said. "He's a great player. I think for sure he has good chances."