Roger Federer said goodbye to tennis played at the Laver Cup 2022, the exhibition he himself founded in 2017. The former world number 1 played his last match at the O2 Arena in London, a city that brought him a lot of luck during his career.
The Swiss joined forces with his longtime rival Rafael Nadal to take on Americans Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, before receiving a stunning tribute that had everyone emotional. Fans had hoped to see the Maestro again at Wimbledon 2023, but the condition of his right knee prompted him to say enough.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion had tried a timid return last year, playing just 13 official matches and stopping again after Wimbledon. The three knee operations Roger has undergone in the last two and a half years have been useless.
In the letter published on Instagram on September 15, the Swiss however assured that he will not move away from tennis. During the ‘Sports Awards’ ceremony in Switzerland, Federer revealed a very entertaining background story on his last match at the Laver Cup.
Latest update on Federer
During the presentation of the Sports Awards in Switzerland, Roger Federer evoked the famous ceremony of the Laver Cup. The Swiss in front of his family even revealed that there were several scenarios depending on his emotional state.
“In fact, with my agent Tony Godsick, we had planned a plan B if ever I had not been able to say a word. I must say that I was a little anxious before everything fell into place. At first, a few weeks before, I wasn’t even sure I could play so I thought I was going to have to show up in a suit and tie.
Then I knew I could do a double and that relaxed me a bit. On the day, despite the tears and the emotions, I managed to say a few words, so it was great, and I think that in the end I fought well (laughs).” Retired American player and Roger Federer’s former coach, Paul Annacone, has given an insight into the Swiss legend’s mindset from the time he was a child.
“Yeah, I think it’s almost unfortunate because people thought that it came so easily, he didn’t ever have to do anything,” Annacone said. “Well, I can tell you first-hand that the pre-season training sessions in Dubai after the US Open with Pierre Paganini and Severin Luthi, it was very strategic. He spent a ton of time in the gym, he spent a ton of time on the practice court.”
