'2003 Davis Cup defeat to Hewitt was one of my toughest losses,' says Federer

Melbourne, Sep 16(ANI): Swiss tennis star Roger Federer insists that his 2003 Davis Cup failure against Lleyton Hewitt, having led by two sets and 5-2, was one of his "toughest losses".

Federer's comment comes after he failed to convert two match points in his US Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic that condemned the 16-time major winner to his first year in the past nine without a grand slam title.

"People might think Djokovic was tough, but it was nothing compared to the loss back in '03, just because I thought I should have won so bad. And today, I'm not 22 years old any more, I'm 30, so I take losses much easier," the Age quoted Federer, as saying.

"But back then, it was a very tough loss for me. But still the atmosphere was incredible on Rod Laver Arena and it was a privilege to be part of such a great match and a great tie," he added. (ANI)