Another heartbreak for Federer in bid for 21st grand slam title

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland serves against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria (not pictured) in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fresh from a heart-breaking loss at the All-England Tennis Club, the abrupt end to Roger Federer's U.S. Open on Tuesday raised questions whether the 38-year-old can deliver on a record-extending 21st Grand Slam title.

Federer had hoped to shake off the agony of his most recent Wimbledon final, where the top prize slipped through his fingers and into the arms of frequent rival Novak Djokovic after he failed to convert two championship points.

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland, left, and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria shake hands after Dimitrov wins the quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

But unseeded Grigor Dimitrov thwarted the effort in Flushing Meadows in a five-set marathon, leaving a puzzled crowd to wonder if the Swiss will ever again hoist a Grand Slam trophy.

"I don't have the crystal ball. Do you?" quipped the third seed, after a reporter asked if he expected to win another Grand Slam title at his age.

"We never know. I hope so, of course. I think still it's been a positive season. Disappointing now, but I'll get back up, I'll be all right."

Sep 1, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria hits to Alex de Minaur of Australia in a fourth round match on day seven of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

He batted down suggestions that his Wimbledon performance this year played a role in his surprise U.S. Open upset.

"I didn't think of it. If you move on, it's a thing of the past. I do remember playing good semis there, so it wasn't bad. If I think of that, I'm, like, really happy," he said.

For Federer, nothing is out of the question -- and not without precedent: The oldest man to win the U.S. Open title was Bill Larned, who was 38 years, 8 months and 3 days old when he triumphed.

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after winning a point against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria (not pictured) in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, that was in 1911.

And past precedent is likely little comfort for Federer, who laid out for reporters an aggressive schedule of future competition.

"Laver Cup, Shanghai, Basel, maybe Paris, London. That's the schedule for now. I don't know if the team have other ideas or not," said Federer. "I'm happy to get a bit of a break now, go back to practice, reassess and attack from there."

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria wins the quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

In four months, he'll renew his effort to add to his Grand Slam coffers at the Australian Open, where he collected his last title in 2018.

"(I have) got to take the losses. They're part of the game," said Federer. "Looking forward to family time and all that stuff, so... Life's all right."

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland wipes his face after losing a point against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria (not pictured) in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting By Amy Tennery; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a backhand against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria (not pictured) in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria hits to Roger Federer of Switzerland in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 3, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland prepares to leave the court after his match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria (not pictured) in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports