Roger Federer On U.S. Open Loss: "I Wasn't In A Safe Place"

The much anticipated U.S. Open Semifinals showdown between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal wont be happening. Federer lost in four sets to Juan Martin del Potro in the quarterfinals last night, meaning tennis fans will have to wait for the first US Open matchup between Federer and Nadal.

The 36-year old tennis legend described himself as too "edgy'' and said "that little magic was missing,'' but praised Juan Martin for fighting like a lion last night.

Per ATP World Tour,

“Of course, you're always disappointed when you lose in the very moment,” said Federer. “It's terrible to think of what lies ahead, packing bags, going home. It's just annoying as a tennis player. It's just not the fun part. You'd rather think about how you're going to relax tonight and have a massage and think about the match, think about the great shots you hit.

“Now you see all the bad stuff. And it's just not so much fun. It should hurt, and it does, rightfully so. But, I think my perspective at this age and with the season that I have had is easier to grasp faster. So I'll be fine quickly.

“It's all a bonus at this stage,” continued the 36-year-old Federer. “I've had a wonderful year. I can't win them all. You run into guys who are better than you on the night. Juan Martin fought like a lion, so it's fine there. I'm upbeat about what's to come.”

In discussing his loss to Juan Martin del Potro in the U.S. Open quarterfinals, Federer said he knew going in that he wasn't in a safe place, a feeling that he didn't have at Wimbledon or the Australian Open when he captured his 18^th and 19^th major titles.

Federer said, per ATP World Tour,

“It was one of those matches where if I ran into a good guy, I was going to lose, I felt,” confessed Federer. “I don't want to say I was in a negative mindset, but I knew going in that I'm not in a safe place. Might have depended too much on my opponent, and I don't like that feeling. I had it throughout the tournament, and I just felt that way every single match I went into.

Juan Martin del Potro, ranked 24th, will now go up against #1 ranked Rafael Nadal in the U.S. Open Semifinals tomorrow night. The other semifinal features two men who have never been this far at any major, #12 Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain and #28 Kevin Anderson of South Africa.