Roger Federer Memories: 2011

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Roger Federer went 64-12 in 2011, with four titles.

But as he began the season, he was ranked No. 2. By the end, he was down to No. 4 even though he successfully defended his ATP Finals crown in London.

It was the first time since 2003 that he had not won a major.

Those were better days for FedFans in Australia, when the practice courts along the elevated walkway – No. 16 and No. 17 – still existed and they could set up the banners and wait for their hero to arrive.

Even before the easy availability of practice-court information, somehow they always knew when to be there.

Federer lost to Novak Djokovic three straight times – at the Australian Open, in Dubai and at Indian Wells.

He did beat Djokovic in the Roland Garros semifinals, but lost to Rafael Nadal in the final.

There are some photos below of Djokovic and Federer sharing Chatrier to warm up before that semifinal – not something you see every day.

In Montreal, Federer defeated a young Vasek Pospisil in his opening round, only to lose to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the round of 16.

Here’s what he had to say after that win over Pospisil, who was just 21 at the time.

After winning the first two sets, he was shocked by Tsonga at Wimbledon, going down in five sets in the quarterfinals.

The US Open semifinal against No. 1 Novak Djokovic was more of the same – up two sets to none, he went down in five.

And he did get back at Tsonga for those losses at Wimbledon (and in Canada). He defeated him in straight sets at the US Open and the Paris Masters, and in three sets – twice, once in the round robin and once in the final – at the ATP Finals.

Overall, Federer made six finals and lost four of them. But only one was at a major.

Here’s Open Court’s look back.