Federer eyes off a dream farewell
ROGER Federer wants to bring the curtain down on his glittering career by teaming with long-time rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup in London on Friday.
The 20-time grand slam winner announced last week he intended to retire after the three-day tournament at London’s 02 arena, which starts on Friday.
Federer has been struggling with a knee problem.
The Swiss great confirmed on Wednesday his final match would be in the doubles on Friday evening.
Italian Matteo Berrettini will then take Federer’s place over the weekend.
The Swiss great does not yet know whether he will be able to link up with Nadal but said it would be the dream.
“I think it could be quite a unique situation, you know, that if it were to happen,” he said.
Federer said he and Nadal, 36, had always maintained a respect for each other even as they vied for the biggest trophies in the sport.
“For us as well to go through a career that we both have had and to come out on the other side and being able to have a nice relationship I think is maybe a great message as well to not just tennis but sports and maybe even beyond,” he said.
Nadal, who holds the record for grand slam titles in men’s tennis with 22, Novak Djokovic, who has won 21, and threetime major winner Andy Murray are all part of the sixman Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg.
Team World, skippered by John McEnroe, includes Taylor Fritz, Felix AugerAliassime and Diego Schwartzman.
Federer said he was happy to step away from tennis at the age of 41 but said it was a “bittersweet decision”.