2018 Roger Federer tennis season

As in the 2017 edition, Roger Federer paired with Belinda Bencic to represent Switzerland at the Hopman Cup. In the group stage, Federer defeated Yūichi Sugita, Karen Khachanov and Jack Sock, from Japan, Russia and United States respectively, all in straight sets, to help Switzerland advance to the final. They proceeded to defeat Germany 2–1, with Federer beating Alexander Zverev in three sets before the mixed doubles decider, in which he and Bencic defeated the pairing of Zverev and Angelique Kerber. This was Federer's second and Switzerland's third Hopman Cup title overall.[https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/42590053 "Roger Federer & Belinda Bencic win Hopman Cup for Switzerland"], BBC Sport, 6 January 2018. Retrieved on 8 January 2018.

{{See also|2018 Australian Open – Men's Singles}}

Federer began his participation in the first major tournament of the year by defeating Aljaž Bedene in three sets in the first round.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/42699774 | title=Roger Federer beats Aljaz Bedene in first round | publisher=BBC Sport | accessdate=12 March 2018}} He proceeded to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff, Richard Gasquet, and Márton Fucsovics, all in straight sets, to reach the quarterfinals. There, he faced Tomáš Berdych, defeating him for the ninth straight time in three sets and advancing to the semifinals. With Chung Hyeon retiring mid-match, Federer reached a record 30th major final and his seventh at the Australian Open, before defeating Marin Čilić in a five-set match to win his 20th Grand Slam trophy, extending his own all-time record.{{cite web | url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2756214-australian-open-2018-updated-mens-bracket-and-final-predictions | title=Australian Open 2018: Updated Men's Bracket and Final Predictions | website=Bleacher Report | accessdate=12 March 2018}} This was his sixth Australian Open title, matching the record of Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic for most tournament wins.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/jan/28/australian-open-2018-mens-singles-final-marin-cilic-v-roger-federer-live | title=Roger Federer beats Marin Cilic to win Australian Open 2018 men's singles final | newspaper=The Guardian | date=28 January 2018 | accessdate=12 March 2018| last1=Steinberg | first1=Jacob }} At 36 years and 173 days, he became only the third man in the Open Era to win four Grand Slam championship trophies after turning 30 years old. This was the first time since the 2008 US Open when Federer was able to successfully defend a Grand Slam title, and overall marked a historic record 10th Grand Slam title defense.{{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/australian-open/australian-open-2018-the-long-list-of-records-roger-federer-can-set-and-break-by-winning-20th-grand-slam-final/news-story/c9a78904185bf507a3d2632997592f87 | title=The long list of records | date=26 January 2018 | accessdate=12 March 2018}}

Federer was given a wild card to play the Rotterdam Open, where he defeated Ruben Bemelmans and Phillip Kohlschreiber in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals.[http://www.rogerfederer.com/index.php/news/134-roger-to-play-rotterdam-next-week "Roger to play Rotterdam next week!"], RogerFederer.com, 7 February 2018. Retrieved on 7 February 2018.{{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/roger-federers-bid-to-reclaim-world-no1-ranking-off-to-superb-start-in-rotterdam/news-story/cd1bcec0cfbf413904839c31e1e70153 | title=Roger Federer's bid to reclaim world No.1 ranking off to superb start in Rotterdam | date=14 February 2018 | accessdate=12 March 2018}}{{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/roger-federer-has-moves-within-one-win-of-historic-no-1-world-ranking/news-story/56bcd483a83bbc9f1414d263972ec110 | title=Roger Federer has moves within one win of historic No. 1 world ranking | date=16 February 2018 | accessdate=12 March 2018}} There, he defeated Robin Haase in three sets, which guaranteed him a return to No. 1 in the ATP rankings the following week.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/43091815 | title=Roger Federer beats Robin Haase to become oldest world number one | work=BBC Sport | accessdate=12 March 2018}} At 36 years and 195 days of age, he surpassed Andre Agassi to become the oldest ATP world No. 1 by more than three years and broke the ATP record for the longest period between two stints at world No. 1 with 5 years and 106 days having elapsed since he last held the No. 1 ranking on 4 November 2012, as well as the record for the longest timespan between the first and most recent dates that he has held the No. 1 ranking: 14 years and 17 days.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-federer-factbox/factbox-federer-and-the-number-one-ranking-idUSKCN1G02DM | title=Federer and the number one ranking | newspaper=Reuters | date=16 February 2018 | accessdate=12 March 2018}} In the semi-finals, he defeated Andreas Seppi in straight sets before beating Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the final to win his second title of the year and his third title in Rotterdam, tying him with Arthur Ashe for most titles at this event. This victory also marked Federer's 97th tour level title and a record 20th ATP Tour 500 level title.{{cite web | url=https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rotterdam-2018-final-dimitrov-federer | title=Federer breezes to Rotterdam crown | accessdate=12 March 2018}}

Federer proceeded to play in the first Masters 1000 tournament of the year, the Indian Wells Masters, knowing that he needed to reach the semifinals in order to keep his world No. 1 ranking. He received a first round bye and was victorious over Federico Delbonis and Filip Krajinović in rounds two and three.{{cite web | url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/930832/Roger-Federer-Filip-Krajinovic-Indian-Wells | title=Roger Federer provides damning verdict on Filip Krajinovic | publisher=Express | accessdate=12 March 2018}} He then proceeded to defeat Jérémy Chardy in the fourth round and Chung Hyeon in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals, thus retaining his world No. 1 ranking. With a close semifinal victory over Borna Ćorić in three sets, Federer compiled a career-best 17–0 start to his season.{{cite web| title=Federer Equals His Best Start To A Year | url=http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/federer-chung-indian-wells-2018-thursday-qf | date = 16 March 2018 | accessdate = 17 March 2018}} However, in the final, he fell to Juan Martín del Potro in a close three set match, despite having three match points on his own serve.{{Cite web|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-del-potro-indian-wells-2018-final|title=Del Potro Saves 3 M.P. To Beat Federer And Win Maiden Masters 1000 Title In Indian Wells | ATP Tour | Tennis|website=ATP Tour}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11295688/juan-martin-del-potro-ends-roger-federers-unbeaten-run-to-win-bnp-paribas-open-title-at-indian-wells|title=Juan Martin del Potro ends Roger Federer's unbeaten run to win BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells|website=Sky Sports}}

Federer entered the Miami Open as the defending champion, knowing that he needed to reach the quarterfinals in order to preserve his world No. 1 ranking. However, after receiving a first round bye, he was upset by Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round. At world No. 175, Kokkinakis was the lowest ranked player to defeat a world No. 1 since Francisco Clavet defeated Lleyton Hewitt at the same tournament in 2003. With this loss, he lost the world No. 1 ranking back to Rafael Nadal.

Federer then announced that he would skip the entire clay court season, including the French Open, for the second consecutive year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-miami-first-round-reaction-2018-saturday|title=Federer To Skip Clay-Court Swing After Miami Loss | ATP Tour | Tennis|website=ATP Tour}} Despite this, he spent one more week as world No. 1 – the week of 14 May 2018 – as a result of Nadal's quarterfinal loss in the Madrid Open. Nadal went on to regain the ATP rankings' top position the following week, by winning the Italian Open.

Federer returned to the ATP tour to play the Stuttgart Open, which marks the beginning of the grass court season. He entered having won his last 12 matches in a row and 30 sets in a row on grass. After a bye in the first round, he proceeded to defeat Mischa Zverev in three sets to advance to the quarterfinals, ending his streak of 30 consecutive sets won on grass. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Guido Pella in straight sets. He advanced to the final with a three-set victory over Nick Kyrgios, thereby reclaiming the ATP No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal in the following week, and defeated Milos Raonic in straight sets to win the Stuttgart Open for the first time and the 98th title of his career. This extended his grass court winning streak to 16.

Federer advanced to the Halle Open, bidding for a tournament-record tenth title. He defeated Aljaž Bedene in straight sets in the first round, setting up a second round match against Benoît Paire which he won in a third set tiebreak after saving two match points. He defeated Matthew Ebden in the quarterfinals and qualifier Denis Kudla in the semifinals, both in straight sets, to reach the final. He faced Borna Ćorić in the final, but lost in three sets despite having a set point in the first set. This loss also meant that he dropped to world No. 2 after one week on top of the rankings. Nevertheless, the match saw an improvement in form from Federer, after a difficult run to the final.{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/978938/Roger-Federer-Borna-Coric-Halle-Open-final-defeat-tennis|title=Roger Federer speaks out after gruelling Borna Coric Halle Open defeat|first=Aaron|last=Stokes|date=June 25, 2018|website=Express.co.uk}} This ended a 20 match win streak on grass courts.

{{See also|2018 Wimbledon Championships – Men's Singles}}

Federer moved on to play the Wimbledon Championships, looking to defend his 2017 title. He was seeded first in a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2012 US Open. During his first-round match, Federer walked onto Centre Court wearing Uniqlo sportswear, officially ending his 20-year relationship with Nike and confirming the rumoured ten-year $300 million contract with the Japanese clothing company.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2018/07/02/roger-federers-uniqlo-deal-pushes-his-endorsement-earnings-to-the-worlds-highest/|title=Roger Federer's Uniqlo Deal Pushes His Endorsement Earnings To Highest By An Athlete|work=Forbes|date=2018-07-02|access-date=2018-07-05|language=en}} He went on to defeat Dušan Lajović, Lukáš Lacko, Jan-Lennard Struff and Adrian Mannarino, all in straight sets, to reach the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, he surprisingly lost to Kevin Anderson in a long five-setter (lasting 4 hours and 14 minutes), with a result of 11–13 in the fifth set, despite having led by two sets to love and having held a match point in the third set, ending a streak of 34 sets won in a row at Wimbledon.Bull, Andy. [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/11/roger-federer-kevin-anderson-wimbledon "Roger Federer stunned by Kevin Anderson in five-set Wimbledon thriller"], The Guardian, London, 11 July 2018. Retrieved on 16 July 2018.

On July 23, Federer announced the withdrawal from his previously scheduled Canadian Open, citing his career longevity strategy.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/44932692 "Roger Federer: World number two withdraws from Rogers Cup in Toronto"], BBC Sport, 23 July 2018. Retrieved on 25 July 2018. This way, he began the North American hard court season in the Cincinnati Masters. He started his campaign by defeating Peter Gojowczyk and Leonardo Mayer in straight sets, setting up a clash with countryman Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals. He defeated Wawrinka in three sets, advancing to the semifinals to face David Goffin. Federer won the first set and Goffin was forced to retire in the second set with a shoulder injury. This set up a final between Federer and Novak Djokovic, which Federer lost in straight sets, adding the 46th chapter to their storied rivalry approximately two and a half years after their last meeting.

{{See also|2018 US Open – Men's Singles}}

Federer moved on to play the US Open, the season's last major, as the No. 2 seed. He did not drop a set in the opening three rounds, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka, Benoît Paire and Nick Kyrgios in the first three rounds. However, Federer proceeded to lose in the fourth round against John Millman in four sets, having missed set points in the second and third sets before losing a fourth-set tiebreak. He committed 77 unforced errors, including 10 double faults, and only hit 49% of first serves in what was widely regarded as one of the worst serving performances of his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/45403955 |title =US Open 2018: Roger Federer knocked out by Australian John Millman|date=4 September 2018|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 September 2018}} However, Federer assured the number of points needed to qualify for the ATP Finals for the sixteenth time in his career.

Federer started the Asian swing by playing the Shanghai Masters, the eighth Masters 1000 tournament of the season. Due to the absence of his rival Rafael Nadal, the No. 1 player in the ATP rankings, he was the first seed. As a top-eight seed, he earned a first round bye. In the second round, he defeated Daniil Medvedev in three sets, advancing to the third round, where he defeated Roberto Bautista Agut – also in three sets. In the quarterfinals he encountered No. 8 seed Kei Nishikori, defeating him in straight sets and advancing to a semifinal clash with the No. 13 seed, Borna Ćorić. It was their third meeting of the season, with one victory for each in the previous two. Federer ended up losing to Ćorić in straight sets and dropped to No. 3 in the ATP rankings at the following week.

Federer then moved on to play his home tournament, the Swiss Indoors, in Basel, as the defending champion. In an interview, Federer shared that he had sustained a hand injury in training prior to the grass court season that had caused severe pain in his forearm. He stated that this injury significantly hindered his play, particularly his forehand, from the Stuttgart Open until the US Open.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/tennis/news/roger-federer-reveals-struggle-with-hand-injury-ahead-of-swiss-open/17kxvyzw26siw1me7nb2um3l5h|title=Roger Federer reveals struggle with hand injury ahead of Swiss Open|website=www.sportingnews.com|access-date=2018-10-22|archive-date=2020-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518164114/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/tennis/news/roger-federer-reveals-struggle-with-hand-injury-ahead-of-swiss-open/17kxvyzw26siw1me7nb2um3l5h|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1034577/Roger-Federer-injury-Swiss-Indoors-Basel-Open-Stan-Wawrinka-Filip-Krajinovic|title=Roger Federer injury: Star makes surprising confession at Swiss Indoors|first=Mikael|last=McKenzie|date=October 21, 2018|website=Express.co.uk}} In the first two rounds of the tournament, Federer defeated Filip Krajinović and Jan-Lennard Struff, in three and two sets respectively, advancing to the quarterfinals. There, he defeated Gilles Simon in a tough three-set match, reaching his 200th career semifinal. Federer then bested Daniil Medvedev and Marius Copil in straight sets in the semifinal and final respectively, claiming a record-extending ninth Basel title and the 99th title of his career.

At the beginning of the season, Federer had not expected to play the Paris Masters – the last Masters 1000 tournament of the year. However, he was featured in the draw as the No. 3 seed and later confirmed his presence in the tournament.[https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/tennis/article/roger-federer-poised-to-seek-his-100th-atp-title-at-paris-masters/306578 "Paris Masters: Roger Federer poised to seek his 100th ATP title"], Times Now News, 30 October 2018. Retrieved on 30 October 2018. After getting a bye in the first round, he was supposed to face Milos Raonic in the second round. However, Raonic was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an elbow injury.Ballard, Stuart. [https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1038989/Roger-Federer-Paris-Masters-Milos-Raonic-withdraws-elbow-injury-tennis-news "Roger Federer receives ANOTHER bye in Paris Masters after Milos Raonic pulls out"], Daily Express, 31 October 2018. Retrieved on 31 October 2018. Federer then advanced to the third round, where he defeated No. 13 seed Fabio Fognini in straight sets to set a quarterfinal clash with Kei Nishikori. In the quarterfinals he defeated Nishikori, also in straight sets, to set a semifinal match with Novak Djokovic, who was on a 21-match winning streak. In their 47th encounter, Federer lost to the red-hot Serb in three very close sets, despite having a set point in the first set.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/46086056|title=Paris Masters: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to reach final|work=BBC Sport |date=November 3, 2018}}

{{See also|2018 ATP Finals – Singles}}

Having qualified for the ATP Finals, Federer was drawn in the group Lleyton Hewitt with Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori. In his first match, he lost in straight sets to Nishikori for his ninth defeat of the season. He then defeated Thiem and Anderson, both in straight sets, to ultimately win the group and secure a semifinal place in the tournament. However, in his fifteenth tournament semifinal, Federer lost in straight sets to eventual champion Alexander Zverev to finish the season.

This table chronicles all the matches of Roger Federer in 2018, including walkovers (W/O) which the ATP does not count as wins.

{{performance key|active=no}}

{{tennis sm header}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=7|c=GS|n=Australian Open|l=Melbourne, Australia|s=Hard, outdoor|d=15 – 28 January 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|m=1 / 1385|o={{flagicon|SLO}} Aljaž Bedene |rk=51|rt=Win|s=6–3, 6–4, 6–3}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=2 / 1386|o={{flagicon|GER}} Jan-Lennard Struff |rk=55|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–4, 7–6^(7–4)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=3R|m=3 / 1387|o={{flagicon|FRA}} Richard Gasquet (29) |rk=31|rt=Win|s=6–2, 7–5, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=4R|m=4 / 1388|o={{flagicon|HUN}} Márton Fucsovics |rk=80|rt=Win|s=6–4, 7–6^(7–3), 6–2}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=5 / 1389|o={{flagicon|CZE}} Tomáš Berdych (19) |rk=20|rt=Win|s=7–6^(7–1), 6–3, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=6 / 1390|o={{flagicon|KOR}} Chung Hyeon |rk=58|rt=Win|s=6–1, 5–2 ret.}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=W|m=7 / 1391|o={{flagicon|CRO}} Marin Čilić (6) |rk=6|rt=Win|rtc=1|s=6–2, 6–7^(5–7), 6–3, 3–6, 6–1|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=5|c=500|n=Rotterdam Open|l=Rotterdam, Netherlands|s=Hard, indoor|d=12 – 18 February 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|m=8 / 1392|o={{flagicon|BEL}} Ruben Bemelmans (Q) |rk=116|rt=Win|s=6–1, 6–2}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=9 / 1393|o={{flagicon|GER}} Philipp Kohlschreiber |rk=36|rt=Win|s=7–6^(10–8), 7–5}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=10 / 1394|o={{flagicon|NED}} Robin Haase |rk=42|rt=Win|s=4–6, 6–1, 6–1}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=11 / 1395|o={{flagicon|ITA}} Andreas Seppi (LL) |rk=81|rt=Win|s=6–3, 7–6^(7–3)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=W|m=12 / 1396|o={{flagicon|BUL}} Grigor Dimitrov (2) |rk=5|rt=Win|rtc=2|s=6–2, 6–2|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=7|c=1000|n=Indian Wells Masters|l=Indian Wells, United States|s=Hard, outdoor|d=5 – 18 March 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|bye=yes}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=13 / 1397|o={{flagicon|ARG}} Federico Delbonis|rk=67|rt=Win|s=6–3, 7–6^(8–6)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=3R|m=14 / 1398|o={{flagicon|SRB}} Filip Krajinović (25)|rk=28|rt=Win|s=6–2, 6–1}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=4R|m=15 / 1399|o={{flagicon|FRA}} Jérémy Chardy|rk=100|rt=Win|s=7–5, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=16 / 1400|o={{flagicon|KOR}} Chung Hyeon (23)|rk=26|rt=Win|s=7–5, 6–1}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=17 / 1401|o={{flagicon|CRO}} Borna Ćorić|rk=49|rt=Win|s=5–7, 6–4, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=F|m=18 / 1402|o={{flagicon|ARG}} Juan Martín del Potro (6)|rk=8|rt=Loss|rtc=1|s=4–6, 7–6^(10–8), 6–7^(2–7)|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=2|c=1000|n=Miami Open|l=Miami, United States|s=Hard, outdoor|d=19 March – 1 April 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|bye=yes}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=19 / 1403|o={{flagicon|AUS}} Thanasi Kokkinakis (Q)|rk=175|rt=Loss|s=6–3, 3–6, 6–7^(4–7)|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=5|c=250|n=Stuttgart Open|l=Stuttgart, Germany|s=Grass, outdoor|d=11 – 17 June 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|bye=yes}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=20 / 1404|o={{flagicon|GER}} Mischa Zverev|rk=54|rt=Win|s=3–6, 6–4, 6–2}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=21 / 1405|o={{flagicon|ARG}} Guido Pella|rk=75|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=22 / 1406|o={{flagicon|AUS}} Nick Kyrgios (4)|rk=24|rt=Win|s=6–7^(2–7), 6–2, 7–6^(7–5)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=W|m=23 / 1407|o={{flagicon|CAN}} Milos Raonic (7)|rk=35|rt=Win|rtc=3|s=6–4, 7–6^(7–3)|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=5|c=500|n=Halle Open|l=Halle, Germany|s=Grass, outdoor|d=18 – 24 June 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|m=24 / 1408|o={{flagicon|SLO}} Aljaž Bedene|rk=72|rt=Win|s=6–3, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=25 / 1409|o={{flagicon|FRA}} Benoît Paire|rk=48|rt=Win|s=6–3, 3–6, 7–6^(9–7)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=26 / 1410|o={{flagicon|AUS}} Matthew Ebden (SE)|rk=60|rt=Win|s=7–6^(7–2), 7–5}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=27 / 1411|o={{flagicon|USA}} Denis Kudla (Q)|rk=109|rt=Win|s=7–6^(7–1), 7–5}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=F|m=28 / 1412|o={{flagicon|CRO}} Borna Ćorić|rk=34|rt=Loss|rtc=2|s=6–7^(6–8), 6–3, 2–6|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=5|c=GS|n=Wimbledon Championships|l=London, United Kingdom|s=Grass, outdoor|d=2 – 15 July 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|m=29 / 1413|o={{flagicon|SRB}} Dušan Lajović|rk=58|rt=Win|s=6–1, 6–3, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=30 / 1414|o={{flagicon|SVK}} Lukáš Lacko|rk=73|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–4, 6–1}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=3R|m=31 / 1415|o={{flagicon|GER}} Jan-Lennard Struff|rk=64|rt=Win|s=6–3, 7–5, 6–2}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=4R|m=32 / 1416|o={{flagicon|FRA}} Adrian Mannarino (22)|rk=26|rt=Win|s=6–0, 7–5, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=33 / 1417|o={{flagicon|RSA}} Kevin Anderson (8) |rk=8|rt=Loss|s=6–2, 7–6^(7–5), 5–7, 4–6, 11–13|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=6|c=1000|n=Cincinnati Masters|l=Cincinnati, United States|s=Hard, outdoor|d=12 – 19 August 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|bye=yes}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=34 / 1418|o={{flagicon|GER}} Peter Gojowczyk|rk=47|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=3R|m=35 / 1419|o={{flagicon|ARG}} Leonardo Mayer|rk=50|rt=Win|s=6–1, 7–6^(8–6)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=36 / 1420|o={{flagicon|SUI}} Stan Wawrinka (WC)|rk=151|rt=Win|s=6–7^(2–7), 7–6^(8–6), 6–2}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=37 / 1421|o={{flagicon|BEL}} David Goffin (11)|rk=11|rt=Win|s=7–6^(7–3), 1–1 ret.}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=F|m=38 / 1422|o={{flagicon|SRB}} Novak Djokovic (10)|rk=10|rt=Loss|rtc=3|s=4–6, 4–6|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=4|c=GS|n=US Open|l=New York City, United States |s=Hard, outdoor|d=27 August – 9 September 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|m=39 / 1423|o={{flagicon|JPN}} Yoshihito Nishioka (PR)|rk=177|rt=Win|s=6–2, 6–2, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=40 / 1424|o={{flagicon|FRA}} Benoît Paire|rk=56|rt=Win|s=7–5, 6–4, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=3R|m=41 / 1425|o={{flagicon|AUS}} Nick Kyrgios (30)|rk=30|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–1, 7–5}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=4R|m=42 / 1426|o={{flagicon|AUS}} John Millman|rk=55|rt=Loss|s=6–3, 5–7, 6–7^(7–9), 6–7^(3–7)|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=2|c=LC|n=Laver Cup|l=Chicago, United States|s=Hard, indoor|d=21 – 23 September 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=Day 2|m=43 / 1427|o={{flagicon|AUS}} Nick Kyrgios|rk=27|rt=Win|s=6–3, 6–2}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=Day 3|m=44 / 1428|o={{flagicon|USA}} John Isner|rk=10|rt=Win|s=6–7^(5–7), 7–6^(8–6), [10–7]|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=5|c=1000|n=Shanghai Masters|l=Shanghai, China |s=Hard, outdoor|d=7 – 14 October 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|bye=yes}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=45 / 1429|o={{flagicon|RUS}} Daniil Medvedev|rk=22|rt=Win|s=6–4, 4–6, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=3R|m=46 / 1430|o={{flagicon|ESP}} Roberto Bautista Agut|rk=28|rt=Win|s=6–3, 2–6, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=47 / 1431|o={{flagicon|JPN}} Kei Nishikori (8)|rk=12|rt=Win|s=6–4, 7–6^(7–4)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=48 / 1432|o={{flagicon|CRO}} Borna Ćorić (13)|rk=19|rt=Loss|s=4–6, 4–6|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=5|c=500|n=Swiss Indoors|l=Basel, Switzerland |s=Hard, indoor|d=22 – 28 October 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|m=49 / 1433|o={{flagicon|SRB}} Filip Krajinović|rk=34|rt=Win|s=6–2, 4–6, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|m=50 / 1434|o={{flagicon|GER}} Jan-Lennard Struff|rk=52|rt=Win|s=6–3, 7–5}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=51 / 1435|o={{flagicon|FRA}} Gilles Simon|rk=32|rt=Win|s=7–6^(7–1), 4–6, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=52 / 1436|o={{flagicon|RUS}} Daniil Medvedev (7)|rk=20|rt=Win|s=6–1, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=W|m=53 / 1437|o={{flagicon|ROM}} Marius Copil (Q)|rk=93|rt=Win|rtc=4|s=7–6^(7–5), 6–4|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=5|c=1000|n=Paris Masters|l=Paris, France |s=Hard, indoor|d=29 October – 4 November 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=1R|bye=yes}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=2R|o={{flagicon|CAN}} Milos Raonic|rk=21|rt=Walkover}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=3R|m=54 / 1438|o={{flagicon|ITA}} Fabio Fognini (13)|rk=14|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–3}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=QF|m=55 / 1439|o={{flagicon|JPN}} Kei Nishikori (10)|rk=11|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–4}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=56 / 1440|o={{flagicon|SRB}} Novak Djokovic (2)|rk=2|rt=Loss|s=6–7^(6–8), 7–5, 6–7^(3–7)|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=4|c=WC|n=ATP Finals|l=London, United Kingdom |s=Hard, indoor|d=11 – 18 November 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=57 / 1441|o={{flagicon|JPN}} Kei Nishikori (7)|rk=9|rt=Loss|s=6–7^(4–7), 3–6}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=58 / 1442|o={{flagicon|AUT}} Dominic Thiem (6)|rk=8|rt=Win|s=6–2, 6–3}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=59 / 1443|o={{flagicon|RSA}} Kevin Anderson (4)|rk=6|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–3}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=SF|m=60 / 1444|o={{flagicon|GER}} Alexander Zverev (3)|rk=5|rt=Loss|s=5–7, 6–7^(5–7)|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm footer}}

{{tennis sm header|doubles=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=2|c=LC|n=Laver Cup|l=Chicago, United States|s=Hard, indoor|d=21 – 23 September 2018|p=
{{flagicon|SRB}} Novak Djokovic (Day 1)
{{flagicon|GER}} Alexander Zverev (Day 3)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=Day 1|m=1 / 220|o={{flagicon|RSA}} Kevin Anderson / {{flagicon|USA}} Jack Sock |rk=241 / 2|rt=Loss|s=7–6^(7–5), 3–6, [6–10]}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=Day 3|m=2 / 221|o={{flagicon|USA}} John Isner / {{flagicon|USA}} Jack Sock |rk=55 / 2|rt=Loss|s=6–4, 6–7^(2–7), [9–11]|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm footer}}

{{tennis sm header}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=4|c=HC|n=Hopman Cup|l=Perth, Australia|s=Hard, indoor|d=30 December 2017 – 6 January 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=1 / 21|o={{flagicon|JPN}} Yūichi Sugita |rk=40|rt=Win|s=6–4, 6–3}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=3 / 23|o={{flagicon|RUS}} Karen Khachanov |rk=45|rt=Win|s=6–3, 7–6^(10–8)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=5 / 25|o={{flagicon|USA}} Jack Sock |rk=8|rt=Win|s=7–6^(7–5), 7–5}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=W|m=7 / 27|o={{flagicon|GER}} Alexander Zverev|rk=4|rt=Win|s=6–7^(4–7), 6–0, 6–2|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm footer}}

{{tennis sm header|doubles=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=4|c=HC|n=Hopman Cup|l=Perth, Australia|s=Hard, indoor|d=30 December 2017 – 6 January 2018|p={{flagicon|SUI}} Belinda Bencic}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=2 / 22|o={{flagicon|JPN}} Naomi Osaka / {{flagicon|JPN}} Yūichi Sugita |rk=– / –|rt=Win|s=2–4, 4–1, 4–3^(5–1)}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=4 / 24|o={{flagicon|RUS}} Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova / {{flagicon|RUS}} Karen Khachanov |rk=– / –|rt=Win|s=4–3^(5–1), 3–4^(3–5), 4–1}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=RR|m=6 / 26|o={{flagicon|USA}} CoCo Vandeweghe / {{flagicon|USA}} Jack Sock |rk=– / –|rt=Win|s=4–3^(5–3), 4–2}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=W|m=8 / 28|o={{flagicon|GER}} Angelique Kerber / {{flagicon|GER}} Alexander Zverev|rk=– / –|rt=Win|s=4–3^(5–3), 4–2|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm footer}}

{{tennis sm header}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=1|c=EX|n=Match for Africa 5|l=San Jose, United States|s=Hard, indoor|d=5 March 2018}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=–|m=2|o={{flagicon|USA}} Jack Sock |rk=10|rt=Win|s=7–6^(11–9), 6–4|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm footer}}

{{tennis sm header|doubles=yes}}

{{tennis sm tournament|m=1|c=EX|n=Match for Africa 5|l=San Jose, United States|s=Hard, indoor|d=5 March 2018|p={{flagicon|USA}} Bill Gates}}

{{tennis sm match|rd=–|m=1|o={{flagicon|USA}} Savannah Guthrie / {{flagicon|USA}} Jack Sock |rk=– / –|rt=Win|s=6–3|last=yes}}

{{tennis sm footer}}

Roger Federer has a {{tennis record|won=50|lost=10}} ATP match win–loss record in the 2018 season. His record against players who were part of the ATP rankings Top Ten at the time of their meetings is {{tennis record|won=5|lost=6}}. Bold indicates player was ranked top 10 at time of at least one meeting. The following list is ordered by number of wins:

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Nick Kyrgios 3–0
• {{flagicon|GER}} Jan-Lennard Struff 3–0
• {{flagicon|SLO}} Aljaž Bedene 2–0
• {{flagicon|KOR}} Chung Hyeon 2–0
• {{flagicon|SRB}} Filip Krajinović 2–0
• {{flagicon|RUS}} Daniil Medvedev 2–0
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Benoît Paire 2–0
• {{flagicon|JPN}} Kei Nishikori 2–1
• {{flagicon|ESP}} Roberto Bautista Agut 1–0
• {{flagicon|BEL}} Ruben Bemelmans 1–0
• {{flagicon|CZE}} Tomáš Berdych 1–0
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Jérémy Chardy 1–0
• {{flagicon|ROM}} Marius Copil 1–0
• {{flagicon|CRO}} Marin Čilić 1–0
• {{flagicon|ARG}} Federico Delbonis 1–0
• {{flagicon|BUL}} Grigor Dimitrov 1–0
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Matthew Ebden 1–0
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Fabio Fognini 1–0
• {{flagicon|HUN}} Márton Fucsovics 1–0
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Richard Gasquet 1–0
• {{flagicon|BEL}} David Goffin 1–0
• {{flagicon|GER}} Peter Gojowczyk 1–0
• {{flagicon|NED}} Robin Haase 1–0
• {{flagicon|USA}} John Isner 1–0
• {{flagicon|GER}} Philipp Kohlschreiber 1–0
• {{flagicon|USA}} Denis Kudla 1–0
• {{flagicon|SVK}} Lukáš Lacko 1–0
• {{flagicon|SRB}} Dušan Lajović 1–0
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Adrian Mannarino 1–0
• {{flagicon|ARG}} Leonardo Mayer 1–0
• {{flagicon|JPN}} Yoshihito Nishioka 1–0
• {{flagicon|ARG}} Guido Pella 1–0
• {{flagicon|CAN}} Milos Raonic 1–0
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Andreas Seppi 1–0
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Gilles Simon 1–0
• {{flagicon|AUT}} Dominic Thiem 1–0
• {{flagicon|SUI}} Stan Wawrinka 1–0
• {{flagicon|GER}} Mischa Zverev 1–0
• {{flagicon|RSA}} Kevin Anderson 1–1
• {{flagicon|CRO}} Borna Ćorić 1–2
• {{flagicon|ARG}} Juan Martín del Potro 0–1
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Thanasi Kokkinakis 0–1
• {{flagicon|AUS}} John Millman 0–1
• {{flagicon|GER}} Alexander Zverev 0–1
• {{flagicon|SRB}} Novak Djokovic 0–2

{{div col end}}

His official ITF sanctioned season record for 2018 is {{tennis record|won=54|lost=10}}. While these are official sanctioned matches per the ITF, the ATP does not count them in their totals. Bold indicates player was ranked top 10 at time of at least one meeting. The extra ITF matches are as follows:

• {{flagicon|RUS}} Karen Khachanov 1–0
• {{flagicon|USA}} Jack Sock 1–0
• {{flagicon|JPN}} Yūichi Sugita 1–0
• {{flagicon|GER}} Alexander Zverev 1–0

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|}

• Bold font denotes tournament win

Figures in United States dollars (USD) unless noted.

• ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favourite{{cite web|url=https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/atp-awards-2018-djokovic-federer-nadal-tsitsipas-among-winners|title=Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Tsitsipas Among Winners In 2018 ATP World Tour Awards Presented By Moët & Chandon|publisher=Association of Tennis Professionals|date=9 November 2018|accessdate=12 November 2018}}
• Record sixteenth consecutive award in career

• 2018 ATP World Tour
• 2018 Rafael Nadal tennis season
• 2018 Novak Djokovic tennis season
• 2018 Juan Martín del Potro tennis season

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://www.rogerfederer.com/}}
• [https://www.atptour.com/en/players/-/f324/overview ATP tour profile]

{{Roger Federer}}

{{2018 ATP World Tour}}

{{Men's Tennis Player Seasons: 2010–2019}}

Category:Roger Federer tennis seasons

Federer

Category:2018 in Swiss tennis

Category:2018 in Swiss sport