Roger Federer reminisces about the Laver Cup and how it 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 tennis generations 🎾
Roger Federer has explained his motivations behind founding the Laver Cup six years ago and what he misses about competing on the ATP Tour.
20-time Grand Slam champion Federer played the final match of his career at the 2022 Laver Cup, held at the O2 Arena in London twelve months ago. He teamed up with longtime rival Rafael Nadal for a doubles match against Team World's Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
This year, he attended the event as a special guest at the tournament in Vancouver, Canada. The 42-year-old did the coin toss for the last match on the first day of the event, before Team World defeated Team Europe in a landslide 13-2 victory.
The Swiss player founded the Cup back in 2017 along with his agent Tony Godsick. In a recent interview, Federer revealed their reasons for setting up "the Ryder Cup of tennis," saying that he wanted to bring different generations of the sport together.
"Going through the generations is really important for us. To an event like this, you bring the Jim Courier’s of the world, Tim Henman’s of the world, Todd Woodbridge’s of the world, legends of the game that join in on the action. You walk across them in corridors as well, and you talk to them," he said.
He also added that the event can act as "a catalyst" for younger players as it is an opportunity for them to learn from players of all ages.
"I think it’s great to bring the greatest of the game at every level of the generations together. Especially when you’re on the team as a young player, that was my wish, that you can learn so, so much from your rivals that you have to play against a ton, but also your captain who hopefully can give you so much. It should be a catalyst for when you go back on the tour," he continued.
Moreover, the former World No. 1 disclosed what he missed about competing, although he stressed that he was happy in retirement.
"Secretly, you like to be the centre of attention, but at the same time, it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s good the way it is right now.
"Of course, I miss seeing the happy faces of people hopefully I was able to entertain. The tour was good to me. I loved it, every moment, but I am happy retired now," he said.
Roger Federer reminisces about the Laver Cup and how it 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 tennis generations 🎾