Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Tennis ace Roger Federer is all set to hang up his boots after playing the Laver Cup this weekend and the 41-year old addressed the press conference on Wednesday ahead of the tournament, for one last time as an active player. Speaking to the media, he reflected on his career, opened up on his retirement and also spoke about playing his final match in London. Follow Laver Cup 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Roger Federer opens up on bittersweet feeling of retirement, says ‘it’s been a great journey’ in his final press conference ahead of Laver Cup 2022 – Check Out
Federer announced his retirement five days ago and said that the Laver Cup will be his final tournament in his career. He said that the retirement has given him a bittersweet feeling and further explaining on why he feels so, he said “You always want to play forever. I love being on the court, I love playing against the guys and travelling. Never really felt it was that hard for me to do. Loved winning, learnt from losing, it was all perfect. I loved my career from every angle and that was the bitter part.”
“The sweet part was that everybody has to do it at one point. Everybody has to leave the game. It’s been a great journey and for that I’m really grateful.” he added.
“You always want to play forever… [but] I know everybody has to leave the game.”@rogerfederer explains the ‘bittersweet’ emotions of retirement.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/5HSpnU0VcW
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 21, 2022
The Laver Cup this year is set to be held at the O2 Arena in London from 23rd to 25th September 2022 and speaking about the city, he said, “To do it (retirement) here in London, This city has been special to me, maybe the most special place with Wimbledon down the road. And here at the O2, have played for so many years and won here as well and I just thought it was fitting. Always enjoyed the crowds here as well.”
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play for Team Europe alongside Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, with whom he has shared some of his biggest rivalries in his career. The four players called as the “Big Four” in Tennis will play together at the Laver Cup for the first time. Apart from them World No.2 Casper Ruud and World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas will also be part of the team , while Italian Matteo Berrettini have been announced as an alternate player. The team will be captained by Tennis Legend Bjorn Borg.
Speaking about this setup for his farewell, Federer said, “Having Bjorn Borg on the bench with me for my final game resonated also in a big way with me. Having all the guys around me just felt like I was not going to be lonely announcing my retirement.” Federer however is set to feature only in the doubles in this tournament and is likely to play on Friday, 23rd September.
Asked what his plans were for the future, Federer said he would not disappear like Swedish great Bjorn Borg, who is captaining Europe against the Rest of the World this week. “I just wanted to let the fans know I won’t be a ghost. It’s funny, I spoke about Bjorn Borg, he didn’t return to Wimbledon for 25 years and that hurts every fan,” Federer said of the 11-time major winner who quit tennis aged 26.
“But I don’t think I’ll be that guy. I feel tennis has given me too much. I have been around the game for too long. Have fallen in love with too many things. You’ll see me again. In what capacity, I don’t know. Still have to think about it a little bit, give myself some time.” He is set to play on Friday and will be featuring only in the doubles. He is likely to play with his friend and rival Rafael Nadal.
Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Roger Federer opens up on bittersweet feeling of retirement, says ‘it’s been a great journey’ in his final press conference ahead of Laver Cup 2022 – Check Out
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