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Roger Federer explains shocking loss: 'I could not get air, I was sweating'

by LUIGI GATTO
 Roger Federer

In press conference Roger Federer analyzed his four-set US Open loss to John Millman. The Swiss player had more than one opponent on Monday during his fourth round match. 'I just thought it was very hot tonight', Federer admitted.


'Was just one of those nights where I guess I felt I couldn't get air. There was no circulation at all. I don't know, for some reason I just struggled in the conditions tonight. It's one of the first times it's happened to me.

Yeah, it's uncomfortable. Clearly just keep on sweating more and more and more and more as the match goes on. You lose energy as it goes by. But John was able to deal with it better. He maybe comes from one of the most humid places on earth, Brisbane.

I knew I was in for a tough one. Maybe when you feel like that, as well, you start missing chances, and I had those. That was disappointing. But, look, at some point also I was just happy that the match was over, I guess.' Federer continued: 'When you feel like that, everything is off, so...

But, look, I've trained in tougher conditions. I've played in the daytime, you know, at 120. Some days it's just not the day where the body can cope with it. I do believe since the roof is on that there is no air circulation in the stadium.

I think just that makes it a totally different US Open. Plus conditions maybe were playing slower this year on top of it. You have soaking wet pants, soaking wet everything. The balls are in there, too. You try to play. Everything gets slower as you try to hit winners.'