But where opponents failed on the court, a lung infection set the World No. 1 back just weeks later. Upon his return in mid-March, Federer struggled to regain his form, uncharacteristically failing to convert on match points in losses at Indian Wells and Miami. He bowed out in the Roland Garros quarter-finals, ending his six-year semi-final streak at majors and leaving him one week shy of Pete Sampras on the list of all-time weeks at No. 1. He then made a quarter-final exit at Wimbledon, the first time since 2002 that he had failed to reach the final at the All England Club.
He stepped back out on court a month later, rejuvenated from a family vacation through the Mediterranean and the addition of Paul Annacone to his support team. He stated after a runner-up finish in Toronto, “That's definitely a good sign for what's to come.” True to his word, Federer snapped a seven-month title drought in his next tournament at Cincinnati.
Federer hit his stride in the final months of the season, compiling a circuit-best 21-2 match record following the US Open. He established himself as the player to beat at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after reaching the Shanghai final, and winning Stockholm and Basel back-to-back. At The O2, Federer won his round robin and semi-final matches without the loss of a set, and prevailed against rival Rafael Nadal in the championship match to hoist a record-tying fifth circuit finale title.
“I'm just really happy the way I was able to finish the season in style, playing some of my best tennis, really saving the best for last,” he said. “I believe I can have another great season in 2011.”
Date: 11.12.2010, Source: ATP
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