John McEnroe - Roger Federer one like Tom Brady
Top performances in advanced athlete age: John McEnroe draws parallels between football icon Tom Brady and tennis maestro Roger Federer .
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Mar 06, 2020, 09:15 am
The sports city of Boston has many heroes - their teams can always be found on the winning lists in the four most important disciplines. There are, for example, the Bruins, who play for the top spots in the NHL year after year. Or the Celtics, which experts are sure to have a place in the conference finals of the NBA this season. Then of course the suffering Red Sox, who ended their championship curse in 2004 after 86 years of lack of title in Major League Baseball. But football has also established itself as number one in Boston. And besides coach Bill Belichick, nobody stands more for the success of the New England Patriots than quarterback Tom Brady.
Brady comparisons are basically the greatest award to be given in Boston. And John McEnroe did not miss out on his flying visit to promote the Laver Cup, which will take place in the TD Garden at the end of September 2020. When asked about the half-life of Roger Federer's career, McEnroe said: “It's like asking the same question about Tom Brady. The first question would be how they do it at their age. It's phenomenal, isn't it? I mean, how in the world are you still playing at this high level at your age? ”
McEnroe is and remains a tennis fan
Brady is now 42 years old, while Roger Federer is celebrating his 39th birthday this summer. Five days after Brady's 43rd by the way. Now John McEnroe didn't want to compare apples and pears, but: Deep down in the chest of the Laver Cup captain from Team Welt, a tennis heart beats.
"I watched Tom Brady admiringly because he makes the players around him better," said McEnroe. "But when you're all alone out there and you're 38 and you could be 39 on the tennis court with all the effort and wear and tear ... that's really tough. It is already incredible that Roger has come this far. ”
Question marks behind Brady and Federer
However, there is a small question mark over both superstars with regard to the 2020 season: Brady has not yet clearly stated who he will stand for in the event of a sequel. The Patriots are the obvious favorite for the services of Gisele Bündchen's husband, but there are also advancements from other teams, most recently from the former Oakland Raiders, who will play their home games in Las Vegas this year.
Federer, on the other hand, hopes to get fit again in time for a lawn season after an operation on his knee. Most recently, the Maestro failed at the Australian Open in the semifinals against Novak Djokovic.