Roger Federer said goodbye to the world of tennis on 23 September 2022, playing the last official match of his career at the Laver Cup. In the evocative setting of the O2 Arena in London, the Swiss legend took to the field alongside his historic rival Rafael Nadal to face Americans Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
At the end of the meeting, the 41-year-old from Basel received a splendid tribute that moved everyone present and fans from home. The former world number 1 tried in every way to get back competitive, but his physique sent him unequivocal signals.
REAID MORE :It looks difficult Rafael Nadal admits that it will be a challenge to emulate Roger Federer and play past the age of 40 but 36-year-old statesyou never know what can happenThe King had tried a timid comeback last year, collecting nine wins and four defeats. After being eliminated at Wimbledon 2021 at the hands of Hubert Hurkacz, the Maestro had undergone his third operation on his right knee.
His goal was to treat himself to one last ride of the carousel in 2023, but there were no conditions to attempt yet another miracle. Among the players present at the O2 Arena in London, there was also Matteo Berrettini. In a recent interview with ‘HELLO’, the Italian reiterated that Federer has always been his idol.
Berrettini praises Federer
“Roger Federer has been my idol since I started playing tennis. When I tried to become a professional tennis player and was on tour, I was following him and tried to learn from him but not to be like him because that’s impossible,” Berrettini said.
“I can only try to be as good as him. Roger has brought so much to the sport, he doesn’t need to prove anything anymore,” Berrettini added. Novak Djokovic showered more praise on his great rival Roger Federer: “His footprint, his legacy, his mark that he left behind is going to live forever,” Novak Djokovic said when asked about Federer during a chat with Prakash Amritraj.
“Even now that he retired, his legacy is going to be there for many many decades and generations to follow. He has not only achieved so much on the court but he has inspired so many young players to take a racquet in their hand.
You have so many top players now talking about it, Roger was their idol. That’s great, that speaks of his greatness. I was very honored to be there. We were all emotional…I think the intensity of the rivalries is so high that you don’t have time while you are active to reflect on some larger things, big picture things about each other.
We shared the stage together, talking about Roger and Rafa of course, for almost 20 years. I mean, its incredible,” he said.
