The Most Important Tournament Titles Missing from Roger Federer's Resume

Roger Federer is the most accomplished men's tennis player in history. 

The all-time leader in Grand Slam titles, he's comprehensively rewritten the record books and collected enough trophies to fill the Taj Mahal. Yet not even Federer's near-pristine resume is without holes. 

There are a number of prestigious tournaments he hasn't mastered. The red clay of Europe has often confounded Federer, who's also been unable to bring his native Switzerland much glory in international events. 

The following slideshow will highlight the most noteworthy tournaments Federer hasn't won. He only has a few chances left to win these titles as he enters the twilight of his historic career.

5. Queen's Club

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Federer holds dominion over the grounds of Wimbledon and Halle like an iron-fisted ruler. He's won both tournaments seven times, earning him the moniker "The King of Grass."

He's the all-time leader in grass tournament titles (14), despite playing in an era with few events contested on the surface. His skidding slices, twisting kick serves and ballet-like movement are perfectly suited for lawn tennis.

But for all his grass-court wizardry, Federer has never lifted the Queen's Club crown. 

Queen's Club, located in London, is an ATP 250 event. While it may not offer much cache in the rankings, Queen's Club is one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world and the premier grass court competition outside of Wimbledon.

The top players in the world have long used Queen's Club as their final tuneup before Wimbledon. With its scenic backdrop and royal influence, it's one of the most striking venues on tour.

Just don't expect to find Federer there.

While Queen's Club is in full swing during mid-June, Federer can usually be found across the pond in Halle, Germany. He's won there more times than any other man in history, so it's no wonder Federer finds comfort under the Gerry Weber Stadion roof.

He won the event from 2003-06, as well as 2008 and 2013-14, finishing runner-up in 2010 and 2012.

Though Federer has accomplished all he can there, he may never opt out for Queen's Club. In 2010, Federer signed a lifetime agreement to play in Halle, as ESPN noted.

A Queen's Club trophy will likely remain out of his reach forever.

4. Monte Carlo

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Monte Carlo is renowned for its historic casino, but Federer has yet to find luck in the city along the French Riviera.

The first stop on the road to Roland Garros and the first big European tournament of the tennis season, Monte Carlo is the only Masters 1000 event without mandatory status. Federer opted to use that provision and skipped the event in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Going deep in the tournament hasn't been a problem for Federer. Four times he's reached the final of the Monte Carlo Masters; four times he's come up short.

Federer found his way into the final three successive years from 2006 to 2008. Those were the prime seasons of his career, when he had the ATP Tour under his thumb. 

A young, muscle-bound Spaniard would deny him of the Monte Carlo prize on each of those three occasions. His name was Rafael Nadal.

Nadal's eight-year reign atop Monte Carlo began in 2005 and lasted until Novak Djokovic's overthrow in the 2013 final. During that time, Nadal coasted to victory over Federer in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 finals. 

The dominance with which Nadal ruled the Monte Carlo Masters was startling. But dynasties don't last forever.

With Nadal absent from the final for the first time in 10 years, 2014 appeared to be Federer's time in Monte Carlo. After dismantling Djokovic 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals, the only obstacle in his path was friend and frequent punching bag, Stan Wawrinka.

Heading into the match, Federer owned a 13-1 record against Wawrinka. That one loss occurred in Monte Carlo in 2009, and history repeated itself when Wawrinka scored a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over Federer this spring.

Grinding rallies characterized the opening sets of the match, but Federer floundered in the final set. A golden opportunity to capture his first title slipped away.

As a result, Monte Carlo remains one of the two Masters 1000 events still missing from Federer's resume.

3. Rome

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Federer waited 11 years into his career before he finally conquered the French Open in 2009 and lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires. That victory completed his career slam and lifted an enormous weight off his shoulders.

His quest to win Rome for the first time hasn't led to a similar storybook ending. 

Currently referred to as the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome is a Masters 1000 event and the most prestigious clay court event after Roland Garros. Rome's courts play notoriously slow, which doesn't suit Federer's ultra-aggressive style of play. 

There's been plenty of heartbreak along the way in Rome. He's reached the final on three occasions. Each time, Federer has walked away with the runner-up trophy.

At the age of 22, a fresh-faced and ponytailed Federer played veteran clay court specialist Felix Mantilla for the 2003 title. Mantilla proved too strong on that day and won in straight sets. At that point, Federer was still searching for his first Grand Slam. He'd fly past that milestone but never figure out Rome.

Federer's path to success in the Italian capital has often been blocked by his eternal nemesis, Nadal. 

Nadal put on a clinic in a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Federer in the 2013 final. But their epic tussle for the 2006 championship remains legendary.

That match, which stretched out over five thrilling sets and five tense hours, is considered one of the greatest matches in tennis history. Federer won the first set and eventually held a two-sets-to-one lead until Nadal stormed back for a 6–7 (0), 7–6 (5), 6–4, 2–6, 7–6 (5) win.

No matter how hard Federer tries, he can't overcome the lefty shots and heavy topspin of Nadal on slow clay courts. As Nadal and Djokovic keep dominating the dirt, Rome may be the only Masters 1000 event Federer will never solve.

2. Olympic Singles

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Federer owns a gold medal in doubles, but triumph in singles to complete the career Golden Slam has proven elusive.

In the summer of 2008, Federer and his compatriot Wawrinka volleyed their way to the top of the podium in Beijing. The teammates leaped with joy as they celebrated Switzerland's first gold medal in doubles. 

Federer has yet to experience that emotion in the singles event.

He's competed in four Olympics dating back to the Sydney Games in 2000. Federer bowed out in the fourth round that year and in the second round in 2004. Four years later, Federer made the Beijing quarterfinals before an upset at the hands of the United States' James Blake ended his run.

When it was announced the hallowed grass of Wimbledon would host the tennis event for the 2012 London Olympics, Federer had his best chance to break through and win singles gold.

Federer eventually won his seventh Wimbledon title in 2012 after beating Andy Murray and appeared ready to conquer the Olympics a few weeks later.

Storming through the tournament, Federer faced a stiff test in the semifinals against Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro. Their see-saw match became an endurance test, which Federer passed 3-6, 7-6 (5), 19-17.

A physically drained Federer regrouped for another encounter with Murray, whom he had defeated at Wimbledon just weeks earlier. This time, Murray turned the tables for an easy straight-sets win. Federer was denied of Olympic singles success again.

So close to his goal, Federer came up short. The silver medal served as little solace.

As Federer enters his mid-30s, the 2016 Rio Olympics will almost certainly be his last shot to win singles gold.

1. Davis Cup

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The Davis Cup is the most prestigious international tennis event. Nations around the world have contested the annual tournament since 1900, yet none of those years ended with victory for Switzerland.

This year, Federer put his country in a position it has reached only once before: the Davis Cup final.

In 1992, Switzerland valiantly made the final behind the rackets of Marc Rosset and Jacob Hlasek. Facing a U.S. team led by Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Jim Courier on home soil in Fort Worth, TX, the Swiss squad came up short.

Twenty-two years later, Switzerland is back in the Davis Cup final. Before this year, the Swiss had failed to advance past the first round each year since 2004. Now they're on the precipice of history.

After skipping the Davis Cup in 2010 and 2013, Federer fully committed this year. Wawrinka's success at the Australian Open provided him with the running mate he never had.

The Swiss gutted out tight encounters with Serbia, Kazakhstan and Italy to reach the final. Each one of those matchups ended with a 3-2 victory for Switzerland.

France is their only obstacle left. Led by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet, the French side has the talent to stop the Swiss march. They'll also serve as the host for the final, which will be played in Lille on indoor clay courts.

If Federer is to erase the biggest blemish from his resume, he'll have to do so fighting through pain.

A back spasm forced Federer into a walkover before his match with Djokovic in the World Tour Finals championship match. The injury kept him off the practice courts for much of this week, and his level of fitness remains a huge mystery.

Physical pain won't be the only burden on Federer this weekend; he's also dealing with the aftermath of a rumored argument with his Davis Cup teammate, Wawrinka, as detailed by ESPN's Pete Bodo.

Federer and Wawrinka will play singles and team up in doubles this weekend against France. For them to bring Switzerland its ultimate glory, they'll have to leave any differences behind.

Over the next few days, the world will watch as Federer tries to fight through pain. If he's successful, Federer will earn one of the most important victories of his career.