Roger Federer's French Open Failure Spells Disaster for 2013 Season

Another stinging defeat, another question to answer.

There’s no denying Roger Federer’s impact on tennis, and there’s no questioning the merits of his tremendous career at the forefront of the sport. But for how quick we are to avoid the big discussion, now may be the time to finally face facts.

FedEx isn’t the player he was five years ago, nor is he the same player who won two Grand Slam events in 2009. He’s not even the same player who won at Wimbledon last year.

Federer still has the talent to beat nearly anyone on the planet, but it’s the handful of players he can no longer consistently defeat who will keep him from finding much success in 2013.

Just as Rafael Nadal dismantled FedEx at the Rome Masters, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made quick work of the 31-year-old on the red clay of Roland Garros in the French Open quarterfinals, signaling an end to another disappointing 2013 performance from the world No. 3.

There’s something to be said for even reaching the quarterfinals, but when was the last time that was an accomplishment for one of the greatest players of all time?

It’s simply a different time.

It’s not easy watching a legend enter the twilight of his career—and there are those out there who won’t admit he’s near the end until he retires—but the facts remain. After 17 Grand Slam titles spanning nine seasons, the well may have officially dried up.

Many expected Federer to come back from his two-month layoff earlier this year and spring back into shape as he has always done. Early indications pointed to a rejuvenated Federer who could still hang with anyone on the planet. Even the opening rounds of the French Open yielded similar beliefs.

But for the first time since 2004, Federer lost in straight sets prior to reaching the semifinals. And for perhaps the first time in his career, it wasn’t a massive surprise.

Sure, clay has never been very friendly to Federer. And yes, Tsonga has always given him problems. But that straight-set loss wasn’t at all what we have come to expect from FedEx—at least it wasn’t two years ago.

Wimbledon will be a titanic test for the Swiss star, and not just because it will likely be his best chance at securing another Grand Slam title this year. Should Federer fail to impress in a tournament he’s won seven times in the last 10 years, the questions will only continue piling up.

Every professional athlete endures a decline at the end of his or her career. We’ve seen the same things from nearly every other great who has played tennis at its highest level. Federer can’t be faulted for still putting in his best effort each and every match.

But the facts remain. Federer doesn’t have that “it” factor anymore, and by the time Wimbledon and the U.S. Open have come and gone, there won’t be any doubt of that.