BERLIN – Roger Federer said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of the Sept 20-22 Laver Cup in Berlin, Germany.
The Swiss legend, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London, England, two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador.
“I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old said on Sept 18.
I feel I ripped the band-aid off quite quickly and, when I walk around the tennis sites, I still feel I belong there. I don’t feel like an alien, which is a good thing because you can feel like that very quickly.
“People (and) players ask you ‘What are you doing here?’ and you’re like ‘Exactly – if you keep talking like this, I will never come back’.
“I’m happy I’m still able to feel comfortable in a setting like this because it would be so much easier just to stay home, get comfortable at home and realise you don’t need to be on tour any more.”
The 20-time singles Grand Slam winner was cheered on by adoring fans as he made an appearance earlier in September at the US Open, won by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Federer also praised the Italian and Spain’s third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, the stars of the new generation, as he looked ahead to the 2025 Australian Open.
But he held out hope for his remaining contemporaries Novak Djokovic, 37, and the 38-year-old Rafael Nadal, who will both be absent from the Laver Cup.
“With Rafa, we don’t know – it remains to be seen. It’s hard for me to make a prediction on Rafa because of the little tennis he has played this year,” he said.
“Novak, winning the Olympics and playing somewhat let’s say a full season – he didn’t bow out because of injuries, he chose to play less which is normal when you get a bit older. I feel like he has chances moving forward.
“I look forward to Australia, which is the next Slam. He’s definitely going to be one of the favourites, along with Sinner and Alcaraz. The Australian Open story will be a very cool one to follow.”
Nadal pulled out of the Laver Cup with injury, but his compatriot Alcaraz will take part as a member of Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg against John McEnroe’s Team World.
Germany’s world No. 2 Alexander Zverev will also play for Team Europe and Federer said he was “so close” to winning a maiden Grand Slam, but needed to attack more in crucial moments.
“I see someone who’s playing much too passively, much too defensively when it matters the most,” he added.
“(Zverev) has to remind himself to try to not be too passive and then, honestly, something really great can happen for him.”
Team Europe won the first four events, starting in 2017, but Team World have won the past two. AFP
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