Roger Federer reached five French Open finals during his career.
His appearances came in five consecutive editions: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. Federer lost the first three finals to Rafael Nadal, who dominated Roland-Garros during that period. In 2009, Federer finally won the title by defeating Robin Söderling.
That 2009 victory was especially important because it completed Federer’s career Grand Slam: he had already won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open. His fifth and final French Open final came in 2011, when Rafael Nadal defeated him again.
The number can be confused with Federer’s French Open title total, which was one, or with the four finals he played there against Nadal. He faced Nadal in the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 finals, while Söderling was his opponent in 2009. Thus, five is the total number of finals reached, not the number won.