Just over a month away from Roger Federer’s highly anticipated return.
Just over a month away from Roger Federer’s highly anticipated return. The former world number 1 will take part in the Laver Cup, which will take place at the O2 Arena in London from 23-25 September. The Swiss star, who hasn’t set foot on the pitch since Wimbledon 2021, has played very little in the last two seasons due to a serious right knee injury.
The 41-year-old from Basel has undergone three operations in 18 months, but has never considered retiring. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will close his very short season at the ATP in Basel, back on the calendar after the last two editions had been canceled due to the pandemic.
The King was overtaken by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the all-time rankings of the Majors, with the Serbian also breaking the record for weeks at the top of the ATP ranking. The hope of all tennis fans is that Roger will end his legendary career with a flourish.
In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Djokovic thanked Federer for inspiring him both on and off the pitch.
Djokovic praises Roger Federer
“Well, we still do, we still push each other, we still drive each other to be the best we could possibly be with the tennis racquet on the court,” Novak Djokovic said.
“Roger Federer has inspired me in many ways. Roger has particularly showed, not just me but all the generations after him, how efficiently and smartly you can train and organize your private and professional life in order to thrive, in order to be your best self, in order to be a champion.
How to, you know, carry yourself on the court with dignity and everything,” he added. The legendary Serb faced many challenges since the beginning of this year. Djokovic was banned from participating in the Australian Open 2022 because of his vaccination status.
Following that, he also missed several ATP tours in the US for the same reason. However, he came back fighting and won the Wimbledon 2022 in domineering fashion. With his hopes of participating in the US Open dwindling, Djokovic may have to wait until next year’s Australian Open to equal Nadal’s majors tally.
During his interview with Graham Bensinger, he was asked about the notion that Djokovic and Nadal’s friendship changed after he started beating the Spaniard. In response, Djokovic laughed and said, “We have to define what close friends mean”.
Furthermore, he clarified, “We were never really close as I would be close with my childhood friends or he would be with his friends”.
