Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FEDERER Tryto make it to Wimbledon, Andy ...maybe then we can retire together IT COULD BE ROGER & OUT FOR TWO LEGENDS AT SW19 NUMBERS GAME IS A RACKET TO KONTA
ROGER FEDERER wants Andy Murray to keep going until Wimbledon – because he is also considering ending his career at SW19.
The Scot announced last week that chronic pain in his right hip is forcing him to retire at the age of 31. He wants to bow out at Wimbledon this summer but could call it quits directly after the Australian Open, where he plays Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round this morning. Federer said: “I hope that he can play a good Australian Open and he can keep playing beyond that. I hope he can finish the way he wants to at Wimbledon. That’s what I hope for him.”
The Swiss superstar said Murray’s decision to quit came as a bombshell.
“It has hit us top guys hard because we know Andy very well. We like him. He doesn’t have any enemies. He’s a great guy,” he said.
“I was disappointed and sad, a little bit shocked, to know now that we’re going to lose
him. But we’re going to lose everybody at some point. It’s just now that it’s definite.
“His body took the decision, unfortunately. I think it must have been a very long couple of years for him.
“I remember when I played with him in Glasgow (in November 2017), I know how much he was suffering. I could not believe he actually played. But it was for a good cause.”
Federer, who is seeking his third consecutive Australian Open and 100th ATP Tour title here, won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2003.
He turns 38 in August and is already thinking about his exit strategy. “I have a lot of places that are very special to me, thankfully. I’ve been very fortunate,” he said.
“Wimbledon stands out but there are actually many others. I have been thinking about it, like where is that place? I don’t have the fairy tale ending in my head.” Novak Djokovic said he could see Murray was near the end when they played a practice match in Melbourne on Thursday. The two 31-year-olds have long been rivals and have played four finals at the Australian Open.
The Scot admitted he felt “helpless” against the world No.1 and the Serb said: “You didn’t need to be on court to notice that he’s struggling, that he’s not moving as well as he normally does.
“We’ve seen so many years of Andy Murray being one of the fittest guys on the tour, running around the court, getting always an extra ball back. I think to that extent we are kind of similar.
“To see him struggle so much and go through so much pain is very sad and it hurts me as his longtime friend and rival.
“He’s a great champion. He’s a legend of this sport. He touched us all. I wish him a painless future in whatever shape or form that is, on or off the court.”
Murray, who has beaten Bautista Agut in their last three matches without losing a set, plans to play using painkillers today.
The Spaniard said: “I think everybody knows that every time Andy goes on court he gives 100 per cent. He’s been a fighter all his career and I think this match will be the same.”
It has hit us top guys hard because we all like Andy. He doesn’t have any enemies...