5 times Roger Federer lost a set 6-0

Roger Federer is among the greatest athletes tennis has ever seen, notching up several records to his name. The Swiss is second only to Jimmy Connors in both matches and titles won, but leads the way when it comes to Grand Slam match victories.

While he has developed into a champion fans have come to love, there was a time when the Swiss was not all that. Making his debut on the ATP tour in 1998, the World No. 43 did not win his first Grand Slam until the 2003 Wimbledon Championships.

In those five years, the Swiss was still finding his feet as a professional player and was subjected to a manner of disappointing losses. Believe it or not, the Swiss maestro was even bagelled on several occasions, losing to players with more experience than him.

There have been a couple of incidents where he has lost a set 6-0 in recent years too, which is all the more surprising. Overall, Federer has lost a set five times without getting on the scoreboard, and here's a look at each of those instances:

#1 1999 Monte-Carlo Masters (vs Vincent Spadea)

The 1999 edition of the Monte-Carlo Masters marked Roger Federer's first appearance in the tournament. Coming into the tournament as a wildcard, the Swiss took on Vincent Spadea in the first round.

Although he put up a tough fight in the first set, losing it in a tie-breaker, he struggled to compete in the second set, which was one-sided. Spadea broke the Swiss' serve thrice to notch up a 6-0 win and progress to the second round.

The two met two more times before the American's retirement, both of which were won by the 20-time Major champion in straight sets. Interestingly, Federer bageled Spadea in their meeting at the 2006 US Open.

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#2 1999 Roland Garros (vs Patrick Rafter)

Roger Federer's maiden appearance in a Grand Slam did not go the way he would have wanted

The 1999 French Open marked Roger Federer's first appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam. Unfortunately, the draw was not kind to the Swiss as he had to take on former World No. 1 Patrick Rafter in the very first round.

Although he took the first set 7-5, the 40-year-old capitulated in the next three without putting up much of a fight. The third set ended up being Federer's worst of the night, as he lost without getting on the scoreboard.

The duo met two more times after that (2001 Miami and Halle), both of which were won by the Australian. This makes Rafter one of the few players in history who has a positive head-to-head record against the World No. 1 on all three surfaces.

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#3 1999 Queen's Club Championships (vs Byron Black)

Roger Federer's only appearance at the Queen's Club Championships was in 1999 and he had a night to forget. Participating as an unseeded player, the Swiss took on 13th seed Byron Black in the first round.

The Zimbabwean won the meeting in straight sets, serving up a bagel in the second. It marked the only time the two ever met on the ATP tour, leaving the former World No. 1 without the opportunity to have his revenge.

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#4 2008 Roland Garros (vs Rafael Nadal)

Roger Federer's worst loss in a Major came at the 2008 Roland Garros against Rafael Nadal

The 2008 Roland Garros featured Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the final for the third year in a row.

The Swiss came up short for the third straight time, as three-time defending champion Nadal disposed of him in straight sets. After winning the first two sets 6-1, 6-3, the Spaniard took the third 6-0 to cap off a remarkable triumph.

The defeat also marked the 20-time Grand Slam champion's worst ever loss in a Grand Slam match. Interestingly, the 40-year-old would have his revenge in the 2011 ATP Tour Finals, serving up a bagel to the Mallorcan in the group stage.

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#5 2021 Wimbledon (vs Hubert Hurkacz)

Roger Federer lost in straight sets at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships to Hubert Hurkacz

Roger Federer's most recent outing at a Grand Slam came at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, where he reached the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, his campaign ended in one of the worst losses of his career.

An eight-time champion at the event, the Swiss took on 14th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the last eight. Federer succumbed to a straight-sets loss, including a bagel in the third set.

It marked the first time the 20-time Grand Slam champion had been bested in straight sets at SW19 since 2002 and the third bagel he had received in a Grand Slam.