Data check: In his 119th match at Wimbledon, Roger Federer loses a set 0-6 for the first time

There is a first time for almost every thing in sport. On July 7, 2021 — in his 22nd appearance at the Wimbledon — Swiss legend Roger Federer dropped a set 0-6 for the first time in his career at the famous courts of SW19.

Federer crashed out of the tournament in the quarter-finals at the hands of Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Wednesday, in what was his last match as a 30-something at the All England Club. If he does return to the Slam, he will do as a 40-something.

Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam title winner who turns 40 on August 8, lost 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 to a player 15 years younger than him. It was his 14th defeat at the tournament in 119 matches and his first straight-sets loss since an opening round exit against Mario Ancic in 2002.

Federer’s quarter-final defeat against Hubert Hurkacz on Wednesday was just his third in straight sets at Wimbledon.

2000 (R1) Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7-5, 7-5, 7-6(6)

2002 (R1) Mario Ancic 6-3, 7-6(2,) 6-3

2021 (QF) Hubert Hurkacz 6-3 ,7-6, 6-0    

This is in fact, the second set ever that Federer has lost 0-6 on a grass court match on the ATP circuit. The first was in his first match at Queen’s Club in 1999 against Byron Black. At a Grand Slam, the bagel is so rare for Federer that he has only lost three sets without winning a game.

Statistics courtesy ATP and Ultimate Tennis Statistics. With text inputs from AFP