Tennis Legend Novak Djokovic has shared his wish of retiring like Roger Federer, who had all his greatest rivals by his side when he bid adieu to the game. Images of Federer and Rafael Nadal sitting together and crying after combining in a Laver Cup doubles defeat at London’s O2 Arena went viral on social media on Friday.
The duo shared one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the game. Djokovic and Andy Murray – two of Federer’s other main rivals – were also present for the 41-year-old’s final bow.
“It was just a very touching, very emotional moment,” Djokovic told reporters on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, where he will play an ATP 250 event this week.
“Seeing his kids and his family, it got me emotional as well. I also must say I was thinking about how it would look for me when I say goodbye to tennis.”
“There is definitely one thing that I will wish to have, other than, of course, my family and the close people in my life, I would love to have my biggest rivals and competitors there. Because it added something more special, added more importance to that moment,” Djokovic added.
The 35-year-old, who is just one title behind Nadal’s men’s record of 22 major titles, said that he felt no issues with his wrist, which had been bothering him during the Laver Cup in London last week. Djokovic further said that the Spaniard remains his biggest rival.
“We played the most matches against each other of any other rivalry in the history of tennis,” said Djokovic, who missed the Australian and U.S. Opens this year due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19. “The rivalry is very special and keeps going. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to play against each other more times. Because it’s exciting for us and also for tennis fans and sports fans around the world.”
Djokovic is currently ranked World No. 7 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He has been ranked world No. 1 for a record total of 373 weeks and has finished as the year-end no. 1 a record seven times. He has won 21 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including a record nine Australian Open titles.
