ATP Tour

Flashback: From Federer's 'wildest dreams' to five consecutive US Open titles

Prime Roger Federer was always in an Empire State of mind at the US Open, reigning supreme in New York for an Open Era-record five consecutive years.

From 2004-08, the ATP No. 1 Club member won the American major, defeating five different superstars and rivals in the final to remain atop the Flushing Meadows throne. ATPTour.com looks back at Federer’s five triumphs at the US Open:

2004: From wildest dreams to champion
“Not even in my wildest dreams I would have ever thought I'm going to win the US Open,” said a 23-year-old Federer when he first lifted the trophy in New York. Little did he know what was to come in the years ahead. The top-seeded Swiss went through a formidable lineup of stars en route to the ‘04 title, ousting three Top-10 players from the quarters onward: Andre Agassi (a five-set, 3-hour battle), Tim Henman and Lleyton Hewitt. In the final, Federer routed the 2001 titlist Hewitt 6-0, 7-6(3), 6-0. The first set alone took 18 minutes.

“It's still tough to believe [I won] because I think once I settle down, I'll be looking back thinking, 'How in the world did I do all this?’” Federer said at the time.

Federer captured three Slam titles in an impressive 2004 season (Australian Open, Wimbledon), during which he competed without a coach and lost just six matches. With his trademark flowing hair, though noticeably longer in those early years, Federer’s dominance was on full display at the American Slam as he captured his fourth major crown.

2005: In a league of his own
Even an icon like two-time champion Agassi could not stop Federer’s reign in New York. The Swiss successfully defended his title, spoiling the hopes of home favourite and tour-veteran Agassi 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-1 in the final. Federer became the first man in the Open Era to successfully defend his title at Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year.

Agassi, who had been part of a historic rivalry with countryman and five-time US Open champion Pete Sampras, recognised the greatness of Federer.

“He's the best I've ever played against,” said Agassi after the 2005 US Open, which doubled as his last appearance in a major final. “There's nowhere to go [against him]. Every shot has that sort of urgency on it.”

Federer extended his major final winning streak to six, a mark he pushed to seven before Rafael Nadal halted him in the 2006 Roland Garros final. Federer finished the 2005 season with a career-best winning percentage of 95.3 per cent (81-4 match record).

2006: Dominance becomes dynasty
Federer smashed an overhead winner and dropped to his knees upon officially clinching a US Open hat-trick. He earned a hard-fought 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 final victory against another home favourite, this time Andy Roddick, who had won the event three years prior. Locked at 5-5 in a testy third set, Federer tallied eight of the final nine games to return to the winner’s circle and maintain his grip on the US Open trophy. “He's a hell of a tennis player and a hell of an athlete,” Roddick said of Federer that fortnight.

Federer reached the final at all four majors in 2006, lifting the champion’s trophy at Melbourne Park and the All England Club as well as in New York. Federer, who finished the season with a remarkable 92-5 match record, etched his name in history, becoming the first man to win Wimbledon and the US Open in the same season for three consecutive years.

“I always knew that I was talented, I had potential and everything — I think that's maybe sometimes there for a Slam or so, but after that, it just is a different league, winning so many. I'm shocked myself how well it's been going the last three, four years,” Federer assessed. “Being not only compared to former great tennis players, but now especially also other great athletes all over sports, it's just really nice.”

2007: A new rival arrives
Sporting an iconic all-black outfit, Federer met a 20-year-old Novak Djokovic in a major final for the first time. One of their 50 Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings — and a month after Djokovic beat the Swiss in the Montreal final — Federer ousted the Serbian 7-6(4), 7-6(2), 6-4 in an engaging championship match.

Federer, competing in his 10th straight major final, saved five set points in the first set and fended off two more in the second frame, deflating the hopes of his young rival. It was the only time in five Grand Slam final meetings that Federer defeated Djokovic.

“Seeing them challenge me, beating them in the final, it's really, for me, the best feeling,” Federer said when asked about a newer generation of rivals.

For the second consecutive year, Federer won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. He finished runner-up in Paris, again falling to Nadal.

2008: Historic fifth straight crown
Federer arrived at the season’s final major off the back of winning the doubles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, alongside Stan Wawrinka. Unlike previous years, however, he entered Flushing Meadows without a major title to his name that season. He had also been knocked from the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings by Nadal, who ascended to the pole position for the first time that summer.

Federer made history in New York, where he raced past Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 in a rain-delayed Monday final to secure his fifth straight US open trophy. “I'm quite proud of my achievement,” said Federer, who extended his Flushing Meadows winning streak to 40 consecutive matches before falling to Juan Martin del Potro in a dramatic five-set final in 2009.

Federer became the first man to win an unprecedented five consecutive titles at two different slam events (Wimbledon, 2003-07). To this day, Federer is the only one to accomplish such a lofty feat.