Roger Federer during a press conference ahead of the Laver Cup. (Photo: Laver Cup/Twitter)Roger Federer farewell Conference highlights: Having announced that the upcoming Laver Cup will be his last event at the ATP tour, Roger Federer addressed a press conference in London ahead of the competition that begins on Friday, September 23. Federer spoke about his decision to retire, why it came now, what if felt like, the tributes that have poured in from around the world for him, the future generation of Tennis, and what his legacy to the game will be.
On Tuesday, Federer joined his Team Europe teammate Stefanos Tsitsipas for a training session on the court and was later also accompanied by 11-time grand slam winner and the Team Europe captain, Bjorn Borg.
Powered by the big four of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, Team Europe are the favorites ahead of the competition. And with the tributes pouring in since last week’s announcement, all the eyes, from players to the fans, will be on Federer.
Photo: Reuters
Federer: "You always want to play forever. I love being out on court playing with the guys, travelling was never that hard for me to do. Learning from losing... I love my career from every angle. I'm very grateful it's been a lovely journey."
There has never been a classier mic drop. A round of applause follows at the press conference venue. Roger Federer, ladies and gentlemen.
Federer: "It will be good and more athletic than ever. Zverev, Tsitsipas, Alcaraz...the serve and volley will be lost, the players stay on the line after serving."
Federer: "I'm proud of what I've won. After winning my 15th major title, everything else has been a bonus. Having Sampras in the stands was very special. I'm happy to have been able to win 20 Grand Slams and more than 100 Titles".
Federer: "Maybe if I would have been more professional earlier in my career."
Federer: "People got used to talking about me about the talent I have in striking, but I also take pride in the improvement in my character on the court and my fighting spirit on the court."
Federer: "That it's in London makes me happy because the US Open was scrapped when I saw Serena retire there. The city is one of the most special in my Wimbledon career. People have supported me from day one."
Federer: 'I want to see some of my games and read everything that has been written about me that I haven't read yet. I will spend more time with them (family), after here we go on vacation.'
Federer: "It was not easy to face all the questions of retirement without getting emotional. I wanted people to be happy in my goodbye and not be telling me all the time how sorry they are. They (his children) were sad, three of the four cried. But they also always said, 'Stop playing tennis, we want to go skiing with you.'"
Federer: "It is clear that the most beautiful thing would be to play doubles here with Nadal because it has been my great rivalry. For as long as we battled together, we always got on really well. To have the career we had and come out the other side and have a nice relationship, it's a great message."
Federer: "I've been at the top for many years. I've struggled to win almost everything I've played. I've always looked at the regularity of Schumacher or Woods and I'm happy to be compared to them".
Federer: "When I beat Sampras at Wimbledon, the 2017 comeback in Australia when I beat Nadal. I haven't exactly thought about it either."
Federer, on the big why of it all: "The knee was not improving and I had to make the decision to retire. I was sad when I realized it was the end. It was after Wimbledon. It was on vacation, this summer, when I made the decision. Of course I wanted to play forever but it can't be."
Federer: 'An event I don’t want to mess with but I know my limitations. I asked Bjorn if I could play one doubles, on Friday night, then Matteo comes in. Here I am preparing for one last doubles. We'll see who it's with. I'm nervous!'
Federer confirms he's going to play his final match on Friday: 'I'm trying to prepare for one last Doubles Match.'
If he can't play Singles, he's not allowed to play any doubles on Saturday and Sunday. Federer had told the Swiss Press yesterday that his goal is to play Doubles on Friday on an 'acceptable level'. He won't play Singles. Friday will be his final match as a professional.
From breaking down while talking about his late coach to getting coached by Rafael Nadal, the Indian Express lists down 10 heartwarming Roger Federer moments on camera.
Read and watch here.
Sriram Veera: Edberg coached Federer for two years from 2014, just after Federer's worst year with back troubles, and transformed his game into a more attacking version.
Read: What improvements did Stefan Edberg bring to Roger Federer as a coach?
Sandeep Dwivedi: Federer kept his rivals guessing and the world mesmerised. Having travelled with him for so long - suffered and celebrated with him - every fan thinks he knows the man more than the rest. He feels like the well-informed local who prides himself in being familiar with every nook and cranny.
Read here: The two forgotten Roger Federer shots that best captured the magic of the man with cult following
Tushar Bhaduri: His athletic prowess with balletic grace, along with sportsmanship and articulation on a whole range of topics took the sport to a whole new dimension.
Read here: Why Federer can’t be judged purely by numbers
Sandip G: No champion past or present — and he is a champion generously endowed with records of consequence — has blended accomplishments with artistry as seamlessly as Federer.
Read: With Roger Federer, you just switch on the television and fall in love, instantly and unconditionally.
Sriram Veera: From his parents, who were “ashamed” at one stage, to his wife Mirka and his first coach on the Pro tour Peter Carter, all helped him transition. Perhaps, the coach’s death in an accident finally pushed him to “not to be a wasted talent”.
Read: How a hot-headed Roger Federer turned into a calm and in-control graceful champion
If greatness was measured by the number of Grand Slams, Federer is not a GOAT. On the overall list of Grand Slam winners, he is third. But for players like Federer, there are pedestals that are much higher than podiums, writes Sandeep Dwivedi.
Read here: For tennis lovers, the pedestal he sits on is greater than any podium
The 20 time grand slam winner from Switzerland announced his retirement on social media via an open letter. Let's settle in with his words.
Read: Roger Federer pens a heartwarming letter to announce retirement from professional tennis after Laver Cup
Keep those tissues, napkins, or whatever you have to wipe out your tears ready. This one is going to be straight to the heart. This one is going to be emotional. Roger Federer addresses a press conference for the first time since he announced the upcoming Laver Cup to be his last event on ATP Tour, hence calling it quits to a professional Tennis career that lasted over a quarter of a century. Follow us as we take you through all that he says and all that we make of it.