And here's the reasons why these shots are the top 10:
Wimbledon Final 2007 vs Nadal:
Federer was going for his 5th consecutive Wimbledon title, trying to tie Borg’s record. Federer faced stern competition from Nadal who leveled the score at 2-2 after a commanding fourth set. In the fifth, Nadal had a few break points in the beginning, before Federer came back with a truly remarkable game, capping it off with this amazing forehand winner giving him the crucial break to seal the title in the end.
Australian Open QF 2010 vs Davydenko:
At this point in time, Davydenko was the man of the hour, believe it or not. The Russian was at the peak of his powers and after winning the WTF 2009 and the Doha tournament previous to the Australian Open, he was one of the big favourites coming into the tournament. He was actually dominating Federer in the first set and in the beginning of the second, before Federer showed why he’s a champion who never gives up. With this break point he turned the match around. Later he would go on to win his 16th Grand Slam title.
Australian Open Final 2007 vs Gonzalez:
Once again, Federer came up against a player at the peak of his powers. Gonzalez got all the way to the final after ripping players like Nadal apart with his magnificent forehand. He continued the same way in the first set against Federer… until he got to two set points on his own serve. That’s when Gonzalez realized, that he wasn’t the only player at his peak. After breaking back, Federer clinched the title in three sets, becoming the first player since Borg 1980 to win a Grand Slam without dropping a set.
French Open 4th Round vs Haas:
Perhaps the most important point and shot in Federer’s career. If he would have lost that point, there almost certainly wouldn’t be any French Open title in his trophy collection.
Madrid Final 2009 vs Nadal:
Federer had enjoyed a quite bad year so far by his standards. He lost the final in the Australian Open against Nadal and wasn’t close to winning a title after that. Then came Madrid, on clay, in May. Federer cruised to the final where he outplayed Nadal. Then, serving 5-4, 40-40, in the second set, the game seemed to be turning on its head. That’s when Federer came up with a spectacular second serve ace, giving him the match point to clinch the title. We all know what happened in 2009 after that title…
Miami Final 2005 vs Nadal:
This was the second meeting between Nadal and Federer. Exactly one year before, Nadal had beaten Federer in two straight sets and was looking to do the same thing in the final in 2005. Nadal had a huge grip on Federer, even in the tiebreak in the third set. Then Federer showed what he’s made of. He won that tiebreak and would go on to win the match.
Masters Cup Round Robin 2003 vs Agassi
Federer had never won against Agassi before this match. And it looked like he was going to lose again… until he ripped an amazing “ice-in-the-veins”-forehand to turn the match around in the deciding tiebreaker.
US Open Final 2007 vs Djokovic:
Federer had barely escaped in the first set, saving a couple of set points against a highly inspirational Djokovic. In the second set, Djokovic once again dominated and got all the way to two new set points. Federer defended exceptionally well, before Djokovic missed a set up forehand by a millimeter or two. After that point, Federer won the game, the set and eventually the match quite easily.
Wimbledon Final 2012 vs Murray:
Murray, playing in front of a cheering home crowd, was the better player through the first and second set. Well, that’s almost through the second set. Because in the end of that set, Federer changed up a gear and won the set with a breathtaking volley. After that, he didn’t look back. The win meant his 17th Grand Slam title, a record equaling 7th Wimbledon title, as well as becoming the player with most weeks as number 1.
Wimbledon 4th Round 2001 vs Sampras:
In this match, Federer showed he was a future star. But it also seemed that he would be the losing player against the legendary Pete Sampras when the American forced his way to a break point late in the deciding fifth set. That’s when Federer told the world: “I will be more than a future star. I will be the next great champion.” With great courage he saved the breakpoint and a few games later he was the winner – and Sampras, the loser.
