Roger Federer, certainly one of tennis’ biggest legends, shared insights about his retirement and his continued involvement with the game forward of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin.
The 43-year-old, who retired on the Laver Cup in London two years in the past, has remained linked to tennis as an envoy for the event he helped create.
In an interview with reporters, Federer mirrored on how staying energetic within the tennis world has helped him transition easily into retirement. “I’m joyful I went again instantly to some tournaments,” Federer stated. “I really feel I ripped the Band-Support off fairly rapidly, and once I stroll across the tennis websites, I nonetheless really feel I belong there.”
Federer emphasised the significance of staying engaged with the game. “I don’t really feel like an alien, which is an efficient factor as a result of you’ll be able to really feel like that in a short time,” he defined. “Individuals, gamers ask you, ‘What are you doing right here?’ and also you’re like, ‘Precisely – if you happen to hold speaking like this, I’ll by no means come again.’”
He acknowledged the temptation to remain at residence and revel in retirement however burdened the worth of remaining concerned. “I’m joyful I’m nonetheless in a position to really feel comfy in a setting like this as a result of it could be a lot simpler simply to remain residence, get comfy at residence, and realise you don’t have to be on tour anymore.”
Waiting for subsequent 12 months’s Australian Open, Federer praised rising skills Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who’re rapidly rising within the sport. He additionally expressed optimism for his contemporaries, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, though each might be absent from this 12 months’s Laver Cup.
Talking about Nadal, Federer stated, “With Rafa, we don’t know – it stays to be seen. It’s exhausting for me to make a prediction on Rafa due to the little tennis he has performed this 12 months.” On Djokovic, he added, “Novak, successful the Olympics and taking part in considerably let’s say a full season – he didn’t bow out due to accidents, he selected to play much less, which is regular while you get a bit older.”
Federer expects Djokovic to be a favorite on the Australian Open, together with Sinner and Alcaraz. “I feel he’s positively going to be one of many favourites together with Sinner and Alcaraz,” he stated. “The Australian Open story might be a really cool one to observe.”
Federer additionally mentioned Crew Europe’s prospects within the Laver Cup. With Rafael Nadal out as a consequence of harm, Alcaraz will step in to signify Europe towards Crew World. German participant Alexander Zverev can even play for Crew Europe, and Federer believes Zverev has the potential to say his first Grand Slam title.
“I see somebody who’s taking part in a lot too passively, a lot too defensively when it issues probably the most,” Federer stated of Zverev. “I feel he has to remind himself to strive to not be too passive, after which one thing actually nice can occur for him.”