Top 5 chokes in men's tennis

“Choke – verb – have severe difficulty in breathing because of a constricted or obstructed throat or a lack of air”, says the dictionary. In tennis terms, it could read like this – “Choke – verb – have severe difficulty in hitting freely and finishing up points because of a sudden mental breakdown or a drop in self- confidence”.

How many times have we said “I can’t believe he lost the match! It was his but he choked and blew it!” As a spectator, it’s very easy to pass such a comment but as a player, it’s probably the hardest thing to deal with, given the thin line that separates a winner from a loser (of a match) many a time. An important point also is that a choke from one player usually results in a sharp surge in confidence in the other. So, it isn’t just an individual effort that results in ‘the choker’ losing. Remember that, for it is equally important.

This piece lists out the top chokes that I remember in men’s tennis in the last 15 years. It’s in no particular order – just matches that stayed in my mind long after they finished.

Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic – US Open 2011 Semis

With 2 match points in hand, Federer ended up losing the match all because of that one lucky shot – a forehand cross court from Djokovic. A ‘hail Mary’ of tennis shots, if you will. But his prayer was answered. He won that point and then using the momentum from that, went on to win that game and the next two. Did Federer choke? Yes, for sure, but not single-handedly. The disappointment that he couldn’t close out the match on his serve clearly showed. And the fact that he was in a similar situation the previous year probably started playing on his mind as well. That dip in confidence and that nagging doubt was all Djokovic needed to carry him through.

Andy Roddick vs. Roger Federer – Wimbledon 2009 Finals

The choke didn’t happen at the end in this epic match. It happened in the second set tie-break when Roddick had 4 points in the tie-break to go two sets up. On the last of those four points, he volleyed out a simple put-away. The immediate disappointment showed but to his credit, he didn’t let it carry over to the next three sets. Can we assume that Federer couldn’t have overcome being down two sets to none? No we can’t, but statistics favour the player being up two sets to none. That was truly a match that could’ve gone either way as evinced by the high-level tennis both players played that afternoon, but I, for one, am glad of the outcome.

Guillermo Coria vs. Gaston Gaudio –French Open 2004 Finals

This match was the classic choke battle. After winning the first two sets, Coria collapsed in the third and fourth sets. In the fifth, both Gaudio and Coria took turns to choke and try and hand the match over to the other. “Take it, it’s yours”, both seemed to say at frequent intervals. The spectators probably fervently prayed that one would take up the other’s offer! Finally, Gaudio prevailed 8-6 in the fifth. An epic, in a not-so-good sense for sure.

Tim Henman vs. Goran Ivanisevic –Wimbledon 2001 Semis

For all the pressure he’s played under since the start of his career, Henman has produced some stellar tennis in many matches. This one against Ivenisevic was no exception. With a two sets to one lead, he seemed on his way to victory and to securing a spot in the final. What should intervene but the rains! As luck would have it, rain played spoil-sport and delayed play. The Henman that returned was completely out of it. The off-rhythm tennis he played caused him to choke more and more until he ended up losing in a five-setter.

Roger Federer vs. Juan Martin del Potro – US Open 2009 Finals

Federer played some brilliant tennis and was serving up 5-4, 30 all in the second set. A forehand winner from del Potro was called out giving Federer set point to go up two sets to love. Del Potro challenged and won the call giving him a rush of adrenalin and seemingly draining it out of a very angry Federer. The anger that choked him in that game continued in spurts through the match until he lost in five sets.

I think I’ve been quite objective in this piece – 2 of the 5 chokes I’ve mentioned feature Federer! But at the end of the day, choke or no choke, a favourite is a favourite is a favourite.