Federer knows he needs to improve: "I’m not allowed to lose anymore”

Roger Federer did not open 2019 Nitto ATP Finals in London ideally when losing to Dominic Thiem 7-5 and 7-5 in 102 minutes.

It was a very difficult test for Federer in the first match of the group stage. Thiem showed one of his best performances this year and captured 3rd win in a row against Federer. In H2H the Austrian leads already 5-2. After the match Federer said:

“I thought he played well. The start definitely didn't help. That put me on the back foot,” Federer said. “But I recovered well and I thought the match was pretty even for a long period of time. I felt that I had my chances. Didn’t feel like I was outplayed or anything. Just maybe those first-match hiccups, not hitting your spots on the serve when you need to, getting into trouble early in the service games, which maybe doesn't happen later on in the tournament.”

“I thought the atmosphere was great. I wish I could have given them a bit more something to celebrate tonight,” Federer said. ”I felt like the fans were waiting and they were ready to go… Maybe getting that break in the second set would have done exactly that, but it's a wonderful event here. I'm happy I’ve played here so many times so I could enjoy the crowds. I'm looking forward to the next two [matches]."

Federer has still 2 more matches in group stage to play. He will need to defeat both Djokovic and Berrettini in order to advance and Federer knows what is his task.

“It's a normal tournament from here on forward. I’m not allowed to lose anymore,” Federer said. “That's how it is every week of the year for the past 20 years, so from that standpoint, there is nothing new.”

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