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A legend says goodbye: Federer will give his last great exhibition

A legend says goodbye: Federer will give his last great exhibition

He would have wanted to play one last time at Wimbledon, the championship he won 8 times, but his physical condition does not allow it. So he will hit the last ball of his in the Laver Cup, the exhibition that he himself helped create. And he will do it as he had wanted: a doubles match alongside his opponent and longtime friend, Nadal, representing Team Europe, against Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, for Team World.

After “all the incredible things we have shared on and off the slopes” for almost 20 years, “being part of this historic moment will be something unforgettable for me,” said the Spaniard at a press conference in London.

From today until Sunday, Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud and Matteo Berrettini will face Sock, Tiafoe, Diego Schwartzman, Alex de Miñaur, Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger at London’s O2 Arena. Aliassime.

They will be led by Björn Borg and John McEnroe respectively.

In previous editions, the European team always prevailed, but this time all the attention is focused on the farewell of a legend.

Nadal praised “one of the most important players, if not the most important” he has ever faced, “who is leaving after a long and great career.”

He and Federer have met 40 times (24 wins for the Spaniard against 16 for the Swiss), with some legendary duels that built the most passionate rivalry in tennis history.

About his teammates, Federer said he was happy to “have them now in my team and not play against them”, especially after more than a year away from the circuit.

The last time Federer played a professional tournament was the 2021 edition of Wimbledon, after which he had to undergo knee surgery for the third time.

With 22 and 21 Grand Slam titles respectively, Nadal and Djokovic, 36 and 35 years old, compete with the Swiss for the title of best male tennis player, for their achievements but also for their longevity. However, given his older age, Federer considered that “it seems correct” that he be the first to hang up the racket.

Coupled with the retirement earlier this month of 41-year-old Serena Williams, described by some as the “greatest player of all time” with 23 Grand Slam titles, Federer’s departure appears to mark the end of an era.

“I think it’s going to be tough for a lot of fans, because Serena and Roger probably have more fans than anyone else in tennis,” Fritz said at his team’s press conference in London. But “there are a lot more players” and “I think tennis is becoming a lot more entertaining because we see a lot of new people win,” he added, illustrating the aspiration of a new generation that for years seemed relegated to hitting the wall formed by Federer. , Nadal and Djokovic.

While in the Europe team, everyone joked remembering the great games played against the Swiss, their rivals said they were willing to give their best to prevail.

Source: Ambito

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