“Would have been better if I had won,” Roger Federer explains one of the biggest losses of his career at the 2008 Wimbledon final

Federer won five consecutive Wimbledon titles from 2003-2007 and was on the verge to extend the record to six.

“Would have been better if I had won,” Roger Federer explains one of the biggest losses of his career at the 2008 Wimbledon final

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer during their final tennis match of the 2008 Wimbledon championships against at The All England Tennis Club in southwest London, UK on July 6, 2008 (Image Credits: Imago)

For Roger Federer, winning the Wimbledon title on the grass court is everything. The Swiss star won five consecutive times in a row but was stopped from making it six by his biggest rival, Rafael Nadal, in 2008. During his recent speech at Dartmouth College, he explained how it was the biggest defeat of his career.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner gave the commencement address at Dartmouth College, New England, to the graduating class on Sunday. He was awarded the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters’ degree before giving his well-articulate and funny speech. It was the second time he was in a gown talking to young graduates from a college.

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During the speech, Federer recounted what was the biggest career loss ever. The Swiss legend remembers the 2008 Wimbledon final against Rafael Nadal. He was deemed the favorite to win the match after remaining undefeated in over 40 matches and had won the championship for five consecutive years.

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The final was repeatedly interrupted by rain but Nadal won in a five-set epic thriller 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 in four hours 48 minutes. Federer recanted that it would be better if he had won the match.

For me, one of the biggest losses was the final at Wimbledon in 2008, me versus Rafael Nadal. Some call it the greatest match of all time. Okay, but all respect to Rafa, he would have been way way better if I had won. Losing at Wimbledon was a big deal because winning Wimbledon is everything. In Wimbledon, when you finish as the champion you feel the moment and there's nothing like it.
Roger Federer said

Recently, Federer became familiar with American colleges after visiting Stanford University earlier this year. He met with the University tennis team and had a night chat with them.

Roger Federer Foundation aims to provide more childhood education to needy children

Roger Federer is not only known for his on-court prowess but also as a philanthropist. The 42-year-old celebrated the 20-year anniversary of his Roger Federer Foundation last year of December. A foundation that has helped 2.5 million children in the past decade.

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Roger Federer (Image via Imago)
We decided to target early childhood education, and significantly improve the prospects and opportunities of many needy kids. Early education provides a foundation for lifelong skill sets — an area too often taken for granted in many societies.
Roger Federer said via Dartmouth website

The foundation has given children, especially in his home country and South Africa, early education and teaching them individual skills. In 2006 and 2013, Federer won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic achievements.

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