Why Has No One Been Able to Defend the US Open Title Since Roger Federer?

20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer earned a big name in the United States when he won five back to back US Open titles from 2004 to 2008. The Swiss Maestro was simply invincible and defeated almost everyone he met at the Flushing Meadows during this period.

Roger Federer even reached the 2009 US Open final but Juan Martin del Potro finally defeat him there. Interestingly, the Argentine also broke his 41-match winning streak at the Grand Slam after surviving a five-set marathon against him.

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Day Five of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)

Interestingly, since Federer, no other player has been able to defend the US Open title. Even though Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won the title four and three times respectively in the last decade, they too have failed to defend the title.

Unfortunately, no one will be able to do it even this year as defending champion, Dominic Thiem, is already out of the Grand Slam.

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Is there something unique on the US Open surface or was Roger Federer played exceptionally well?

Unlike other surfaces, the hard-courts at the Flushing Meadows offer much more topspin. As a result, the ones who win the tournament have to be really good at handling topspin- something that Rafa has shown in the recent past. It is because of this reason that the tournament hasn’t seen many players defending the title.

A general view of Arthur Ashe Stadium between Naomi Osaka and Cori Gauff. Day six of the 2019 US Open in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

One of the reason why Federer became so successful was because none of Nadal or Djokovic were at their prime at that time. He received no real competition from any other player and by the time, both Rafa and Djoker started dominating the sport, Federer’s dream run came to an end.

In addition, the US Open is the last Slam of the season and by this time, most of the players are not fresh. As a result, fans often witness many upsets at the Grand Slam.

As of now, World No.1 Novak Djokovic is the favorite to win the US Open title this year. Will he be able to achieve his Calendar Slam in New York this year?

Also Read: Tiger Woods vs Roger Federer 2021 Net Worth Comparison: Who Is the Richer Athlete?

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