After another loss, Roger Federer eyes return to US Open next year

New York: He may be 34, and nearing the closing stages of a distinguished career. But tennis ace Roger Federer has no intention of quitting just yet.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner has been unable to win a major title since 2012.

He has come close to breaking the drought twice this year. But the Swiss veteran suffered back to back heartbreaks at the hands of Serb superstar Novak Djokovic, losing the Wimbledon final last July before seeing the US Open title slip out of his grasp at the Arthur Ashe Stadium here late on Sunday.

But far from being discouraged after Djokovic carved out a gruelling 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over three hours and 20 minutes, Federer is already planning to return to Flushing Meadows next year.

"I had a wonderful last two weeks. I'm very pleased where my game's at. Being back in the finals is where you want to be. Playing against a great champion like Novak is a massive challenge and I enjoyed it. I thought it was a great match," Federer was quoted as saying by Sky Sports after the final.

"I love the sport, I've got a lot of passion and one last thing, I'll see you guys next year."

The 23,000-strong crowd stayed firmly behind Federer throughout the final and the Swiss great asserted that the love from his fans pushes him to perform at his best.

"They kept me going, and that's definitely one of the reasons I still keep playing, because of these moments, goose bump moments."

Federer, however, admitted that conceding too many unforced errors cost him the US Open. He had committed 17 more unforced errors than Djokovic in the final and also missed 19 break points.

"I had too many break chances. Of course, some of them I could have done better, should have done better, you know, all these things."

"There were a lot of opportunities missed. If it's backhand, forehand, volleys, it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. I know why I lost the match, very clearly - the moment I sat down at 5-2 down in the fourth or after the match was over," Federer said.

"It's something I will work on, and keep moving forward. It's no problem for me."