This weekend, Roger Federer plays his last competition as a professional tennis player.
But he promises not to quit the sport entirely.
– I do not intend to do like Bjorn Borg, he says.
announced on Thursday Roger Federer41, is ending his career.
The Laver Cup, which takes place in London this weekend, will be the Swiss legend’s last competition on the ATP Tour.
In a lengthy interview with Blake, he now talks about the feelings before his farewell, about the wound of hell that tormented him and about the future that awaits him.
Federer revealed that he had already made up his mind last summer, after losing to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon, his last match so far.
After that match, I told the fans that I hope to see them again next year. Then and there I believed it. But in the days and weeks that followed, the knee got worse and worse and I realized it wasn’t going to work. It was very emotional when I realized it was over, he says.
He felt sorry for his wife
Once he told his wife Mirka and his four children, his reactions were mixed. Mirka felt great relief, while the children burst into tears.
– This was an operation for the whole family. The past few years have been very difficult for me, but they have been even more difficult for Mirka. I had injury issues and Mirka didn’t like watching me play. I felt sorry for her. For her, it is a relief that it is over. The kids always bothered me to stop playing so we could go on more ski trips, but when I told them I quit, three out of four started crying…
My husband is with Nadal?
Federer was actually planning to perform his farewell in his hometown of Basel, at the ATP tournament being held there at the end of October.
But the knee stopped, it is not enough to play several singles in a row.
At this weekend’s Laver Cup, he does not intend to play in any singles match, but only in doubles – perhaps in a team with Rafael Nadal.
– That would be great, he says.
The captain of the European team is Bjorn Borg – whom Federer has always looked up to.
– It would be a nice ending. Federer says London is close to my heart, and it’s good to have someone like Bjorn Borg on the bench.
You shouldn’t do like a burg
But although the knee is chasing him, he has no intention of retiring for good. Federer promises his fans that they will see him on the field in the future for many charity matches, and he is also open to working as an expert commentator on television in the future.
– I don’t want fans to think I’m completely gone. I always thought it was sad that the stars would quit and then never see them again. She tells Bjorn Borg that he also did not appear at Wimbledon for 25 years after his resignation. Everyone does whatever they want, but I think it’s sad for the fans. I’m not like this. Roger Federer says I love this sport too much to give up completely.
When Björn Borg ended his career at just 25 years old, he started his career and it took a long time before the Swedish icon returned to tennis.
In 2016, he took over as captain of the Laver Cup team in Europe. Now he is looking forward to coaching Roger Federer during his last competitions.
Roger, you are the best! Being able to follow you, be a part of your tennis history and call you my friend is something I really appreciate. I wish you all the best in the future, says Borg in a video greeting.