Roger Federer’s involvement in tennis post-retirement has played a crucial role in preventing him from feeling alienated from the sport he dominated for years. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who retired at the Laver Cup in 2022, has remained an ambassador for the tournament and has attended several events since.
“I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” Federer said. “I feel I ripped the bandaid 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.”
Federer emphasized the importance of staying connected to the sport to avoid the feeling of being an outsider. “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’.”
The Swiss maestro also praised the rising stars of tennis, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who are expected to make a significant impact at the upcoming Australian Open. “I think the Australian Open story will be a very cool one to follow,” Federer said.
Regarding his contemporaries, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, Federer expressed hope for their continued success. “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.”
“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.”
Federer also commented on Alexander Zverev’s potential to win a Grand Slam. “I see someone who’s playing much too passively, much too defensively when it matters the most. I think (Zverev) has to remind himself to try to not be too passive and then I think honestly something really great can happen for him.”
Team Europe has won the first four Laver Cup events, but Team World has triumphed in the past two. The 2023 Laver Cup will be held in Berlin from September 22-24.
