Federer could have really cemented his GOAT status but he really struggled mentally early in his career. Some thought he was going to be a bust.
He famously beat Sampras at Wimbledon in the fourth round in 2001 before his 20th birthday but lost in the next round to Henmen.
Didn't win a Grand Slam until two years later at Wimbledon and then started his 2004-2007 run. Between his Sampras win and his first grand slam, didn't make it past the 4th round of a major.
2001 US Open (13) Federer lost to (2) Agassi (4th round)
2002 Aus Open (11) Federer lost (7) Haas (4th round)
2002 Fr Open (8) Federer lost to Arazi (1st round)
2002 Wimbledon (7) Federer lost to Ancic (1st round)
2002 Rogers Cup (10) Federer lost to Canas (1st Round) (Canas won the tournament)
2002 Cincinnati (10) Federer lost to Ljubicic (1st round)
2002 US Open (13) Federer lost to (32) Mirnyi (4th round)
2003 Aus Open (6) Federer lost to (10) Nalbandian (4th round)
2003 Fre Open (5) Federer lost to Horna (1st round)
2003 Us Open (2) Federer lost to (13) Nalbandian (4th round)
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