Nadal, Murray, Djokovic agree Laver Cup is perfect send-off for Federer
Federer launched the competition in 2017 with Nadal, Murray and Djokovic feeling it will be a fitting tribute to the Swiss legend’s fantastic career
Tennis icons Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic all agree that the 2022 Laver Cup is the perfect send-off for Roger Federer ahead of his retirement.
Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion and eight-time Wimbledon winner, will call time on his career after this weekend’s event at London’s O2 at the age of 41.
He has enjoyed a rivalry with Nadal, Murray and Djokovic through his spell in tennis, with the Big Four considered to be among the greatest players in history.
Federer’s last ever competitive match will take place Friday evening when he lines up alongside Nadal in doubles against American duo Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
That is due to be the fourth match in this year’s Laver Cup, which sees two star-studded groups of players – Team Europe and Team World – face off against each other in a series of matches, with the winning side determined on Sunday.
Federer launched the competition in 2017 with Nadal, Murray and Djokovic feeling it will be a fitting tribute to the Swiss legend’s fantastic career.
‘We had the best locker room moments, the funniest ones, at the Laver Cup,’ Djokovic said, who won Wimbledon in July to register his 21st major trophy.
The line-up is set for Day 1 of #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/HnulRs01KX— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 22, 2022
‘Just the conversations that we normally don’t have on the tour because we are rivals.
‘We don’t normally hang out together as we all have our teams and our families that we stick to, which is normal and logical.
‘But the Laver Cup is a unique competition where you get to be team-mates and you get to support each other and experience each other in a different way.
Once in a lifetime experience to be on the same court with these legends and rivals. Thank you @LaverCup for making it possible. Looking forward to a great weekend of tennis and a celebration of @rogerfederer’s career. @RafaelNadal @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/eMAGnbHxle— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 22, 2022
‘So it was actually a very funny dinner last night with Team Europe and we had a lot of laughs.
‘I’m just trying to enjoy every moment at the Laver Cup and every moment is really precious for me.’
Great Britain hero Murray, quizzed on locker-room memories with Federer, added: ‘I probably do [have some]. I don’t know if I could say them on camera or not!
Fun practice today 😄👌🇪🇸🇨ðŸ‡ðŸ‡·
‘He is very popular with all the other players in the locker room and is always unbelievably friendly. He is very, very loud! He makes a lot of noise.
‘Watching matches he will shout and scream at the TV and stuff, which maybe you might not expect. But yeah, he was unbelievably loud in the locker room.’
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, speaking about his doubles match with Federer on Friday, said: ‘Well, it will be a difficult match to handle, honestly.
