One tennis great has offered massive respect to the other hailing him as one of the greatest athletes of any sport. These are none other than Novak Djokovic’s comments on retiring Swiss legend Roger Federer.
The 41-year-old has announced his retirement from the game and will play competitively for the very last time at the Laver Cup. Federer will play alongside Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Matteo Berrettini. They will play against Team World which consists of players like Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger Aliassime, Diego Schwartzman, Frances Tiafoe, Alex de Minaur, Jack Sock and Tommy Paul.
Federer has endured a difficult spell in Tennis this year and has struggled with injury. The 20 times Grand Slam winner was expected to make his return to professional tennis but shockingly announced his retirement from the game.
His retirement announcement has come out as a shock to all tennis fans and to even professional players. Novak Djokovic, who himself has won 21 Grand Slams hailed Federer as the greatest and said, “His impact on the game has been tremendous, the way he was playing, his style, effortless, just perfect for an eye of a tennis coach, player or just a tennis fan.”
While talking at the London Tower Bridge, Djokovic said, “He has left a huge legacy that will live for a very long time.”
“Both Andy and I didn’t know that this is going to be his last match, his farewell his weekend, so that makes this occasion even greater because he’s one of the greatest athletes ever to play sport, any sport,” said the Serbian.
Team Europe:
Ready to take on the World ?? @CasperRuud98 @andy_murray @DjokerNole @cam_norrie @steftsitsipas pic.twitter.com/tXeHuQKVvi
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 21, 2022
“We have team dinners and will chat about tennis, sports, life. We don’t normally do that on tour, we have our own team and families, so this is quite unique.”
“We all want to win and perform well but at the same time because of Roger’s farewell and the opportunity to be alongside some of my greatest rivals in my career you also want to share some good times off the court too.”
