'Grigor's moment': Roger Federer's classy response to US Open shocker
Roger Federer has crashed out of the US Open in difficult scenes as his upper back gave way during a five-set thriller against Grigor Dimitrov.
Federer suffered a stunning collapse after taking a two-sets-to-one lead in their quarter-final clash on Tuesday, appearing to be hampered by a back injury.
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He left the court for a medical timeout after the fourth set, and looked completely shot in the fifth.
Dimitrov kept his composure and sent Federer packing 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
The Bulgarian had never defeated the Swiss maestro in a Masters or Grand Slam event - with a hitherto record 0-7 - and Federer paid tribute to his friend following the devastating defeat.
“This is Grigor’s moment and not my body’s moment,” the 20-time Grand Slam champ said in the post-match press conference.
‘I got to take the losses, it’s part of the game and I am looking forward to family time.”
Federer was praised for his class in defeat.
WHAT A CHAMPION & GENUINE HUMAN. FEDERER FOREVERER 😭❤️ #USOpen https://t.co/EDgYIv2pSU
— Megan Leung (@meganleung) September 4, 2019
Classy professional as always 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— AJ (@ayejah86) September 4, 2019
he refused to quit the match or let his poor play detract from Dimitrov victory- in some ways he was adamant to finish it differently than Djokovic it seems.
— Josh Welch (@joshwelch_) September 4, 2019
Federer still maintains his incredible record of never retiring hurt in a match.
Dimitrov makes history
It was a remarkable triumph for Dimitrov - the man once dubbed ‘Baby Federer’.
The Bulgarian has dropped from third to 78th in the world rankings, and lost to the 405th-ranked player last month.
He becomes the lowest-ranked grand slam semi-finalist since No. 94 Rainer Schüttler at Wimbledon in 2008.