Roger Federer: Counting Down Fed-Ex's Greatest Career U.S. Open Moments

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Few men have done with a tennis racket what Roger Federer has over the last 10 years. Included in that 10-year span was an incredible five-year period where no one even touched Federer at the U.S. Open. 

His five wins were each impressive and special for their own reasons. They are clearly his top five moments in New York. 

Here is the power ranking of those five wins. 

5. Win No. 4 in 2007

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It's hard to put into context five separate wins. The order of them is ultimately pretty random it seems. 

Federer's fourth win goes here because, as of now, it is the least earth-shattering. Granted, few players have ever won four consecutive U.S. Open tournaments. 

But Federer's fourth triumph had the least drama and came as less of a surprise than some of his other victories. 

Yes, he defeated up-and-coming Rafael Nadal for the title, but at the time that meant less than it does now sitting here in hindsight 20/20. 

4. Win No. 3 in 2006

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

In 2006 Roger Federer took out America's best tennis player since the greats of the '90s, Andy Roddick, to win his third consecutive U.S. Open title. 

The No. 4 ranking is due in part because Roddick never lived up to his potential, though this week he has reminded us of how great that potential and talent level was as he continues to delaying his impending retirement by winning and advancing through this tournament. 

It should also be noted that Federer's third win didn't ring quite as pretty as "repeat" or "first U.S. Open win", at least in the ears of yours truly. 

Impressive nonetheless, Federer's third win should not be hated on, just not lifted above some of the others on this list. 

3. First One Is Sweet

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

As I sit here thinking through how to power rank Federer's five victories, it seems unfathomable to rank the first win lower than No. 2, yet at the end I had to land there. 

It is a testament to how sweet win No. 2 and No. 5 were, and still are. 

I'm sure Federer would tell you there's something so sweet about the first victory, especially in a major such as the U.S. Open. That's why it could go no lower on this list than No. 3. 

But it had to end up there, for good reason, I think. 

2. Win No. 2 in 2005

Al Bello/Getty Images

Not only did Roger Federer cap a repeat of U.S. Open victories with his win in 2005, he defeated a living legend, Andre Agassi, to do it. 

Obviously Agassi was not playing in 2005 at the level he had previously in his career, but he had long been a favorite at Flushing Meadows and always one of its great competitors. 

Agassi made one last amazing run in 2005, and stopping that while claiming a second title makes Federer's 2005 win sweeter than sweet. 

It is clearly one of the best. 

Win No. 5 in 2008

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

How do you cap winning five consecutive U.S. Open tournaments? Well, you win six. But short of that, the answer is that you don't. 

Federer was beyond giddy and probably feeling like a little school girl going on the slide for the first time as he journeyed on his magical ride of winning five consecutive US Opens. 

Of course the journey is often the best part, but to insinuate that the capper is not special, most in special in fact, seems wrong. 

Federer won five titles. That's amazing!

 

Follow @BRwillosgood