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Federer humiliated by 175th-ranked opponent... gets even worse news after match

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Well, that was one trip to South Beach that didn’t work out.

Roger Federer lost not once but twice at the Miami Open.

The first loss Saturday was on the court, to 175th-ranked Thanasi Kokkinakis in three sets.

The bigger-picture loss was his No. 1 world ranking, which will go away on April 2.

The loss to Kokkinakis was Federer’s second straight, and it was a shocker.

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To put things in perspective, this was the biggest upset — at least statistically — since 2003, when 178th-ranked Francisco Clavet knocked off No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.

After the loss, Federer didn’t seem surprised about losing his No. 1 ranking.

Do you think Federer will regain his No. 1 ranking?

“I deserve it after this match,” he said via the Associated Press. “That’s how I feel.”

The ever-gracious legend focused on giving credit to his opponent.

“I’ve always liked his game,” Federer said. “I’m happy for him that on the big stage he was able to show it. It’s a big result for him in his career, and I hope it’s going to launch him.”

Kokkinakis is 6 feet 5 and known for having a booming serve.

His 125 mph heat “served” him well against one of the greatest players of all time.

“Every time I had chances, something bad happened,” Federer said. “Wrong decision-making by me, good decision-making by him. It’s disappointing. I don’t know why I couldn’t get to any level I was happy with today.”

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The next round of rankings is due out April 2, when Rafael Nadal will take over.

The irony is that Nadal missed Miami due to injury.

He will have a chance to cement his No. 1 ranking, though, at the French Open, which he’s won 10 times.

After Saturday’s defeat, Federer confirmed that he won’t be traveling to Paris for a second straight year.

Following up a career-best 17-0 start with consecutive losses wasn’t part of the “Fed Plan,” but by not playing on the clay, the world’s oldest No. 1 player is hoping for a summer revival — maybe at that tournament in England, you know, the one he’s won eight times?

Wimbledon is just a few months away.

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Mike is an 11-time Michigan Emmy Award winner who has spent nearly 30 years working in sports media.
Mike has spent nearly 30 years in all aspects of sports media, including on-air, 10 at ESPN and another 10 at Fox Sports Detroit. He now works as a TV agent, and lives with his family in West Bloomfield, MI.
Birthplace
Sudbury, Massachusetts
Honors/Awards
11-time Michigan Emmy winner
Education
Emerson College
Books Written
The Longest Year: One Family's Journey Of Life, Death, And Love/If These Walls Could Talk: Detroit Tigers/If These Walls Could Talk: Detroit Lions
Topics of Expertise
Sports




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