I struggled to breathe: Federer
Swiss ace labours in crushing humidity, loses to Australian world No. 55 Millman
Roger Federer revealed he struggled to breathe during his shock 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3) loss to world No. 55 John Millman in the US Open yesterday (Singapore time).
The 37-year-old five-time champion laboured to his earliest loss at the tournament in five years, with his challenge sinking in the crushing humidity on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I just thought it was very hot tonight. Was just one of those nights where I guess I felt I couldn't get air. There was no circulation at all," said 20-time Major winner Federer, who was bidding to clinch the US Open for the first time in a decade.
"I just struggled in the conditions. It's one of the first times it's happened to me.
"It's uncomfortable. Clearly just kept on sweating more and more and more and more as the match goes on. You lose energy as it goes by.
"But John was able to deal with it better. He maybe comes from one of the most humid places on earth, Brisbane!"
It was Federer's first loss against a player outside the top 50 in 41 meetings at the US Open. He finished with 77 unforced errors and 10 doublefaults but had a host of chances to wrap up the game in straight sets, squandering set-points in the second and third sets.
He had also been a break to the good at 4-2 in the fourth but the errors just kept piling up.
The result meant there would be no quarter-final showdown with old rival Novak Djokovic, who will now face Australian Millman instead tonight.
"I knew I was in for a tough one. Maybe when you feel like that, as well, you start missing chances, and I had those," he said.
"That was disappointing. I was just happy that the match was over."
Federer believes the decision to build a roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium contributed to his problems. The roof was open, but the space above the arena has been reduced by the wings which help support the structure.
He added that he did not regret his decision to invite Millman to train with him after the Australian's first-round loss at Roland Garros.
Millman, meanwhile, said he felt a little bit guilty because Federer didn't have his best day.
Said Millman: "I'm very aware he didn't have a great day in the office. Probably to beat him I needed him to have an off day and I needed to have a good day."
Millman, in the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time, admitted to feeling like "a deer in the headlights" in the first set.
Even though he felt his win owed something to Federer's off night, he didn't see why he couldn't press on in his bid to become the first Australian man to win a Grand Slam since Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon in 2002.
"Why not," he said of his chances of beating 13-time Major winner Djokovic in the last eight. - REUTERS, AFP
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now