Novak Djokovic on Federer farewell: "One of the most beautiful moments"
Novak Djokovic commented on the emotional farewell to Roger Federer on the sidelines of the Laver Cup - and resolutely wiped personal thoughts of retirement off the table.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 26, 2022, 01:37 pm
Novak Djokovic impressively underlined at the Laver Cup that a more than two-month break from competition does not mean that he has any major starting difficulties. The Serb showed brilliant performances both in singles against Frances Tiafoe and in pairs alongside Matteo Berrettini on Saturday and thus resolutely asserted his leadership claim for the rest of the 2022 season against Felix Auger-Aliassime seemed to be affected to some extent.
In the end of the season, it will first take the man from Belgrade to Tel Aviv, where the 35-year-old will lead the field at the ATP 250 event. After that, there are at least two big highlights of the season with the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris and the ATP Finals. And the 21-time major winner wants to provide many more highlights in the future.
Djokovic is far from done
"I don't feel that old for my tennis career yet, to be honest. I don't feel like I'm at the end of my career. I think my body is still fine," explained Djokovic at the Laver Cup. "It's important to listen to your body when you're 35 or older. Things are different than when you're 25, the body reacts differently, the weeks on the calendar are more noticeable, so that's how I adjust my schedule good as possible."
His goal is to be at his best in the big tournaments - a skill that the Serb has perfected like no other player before or after him. "The big tournaments are what motivate me and push me to play my best tennis. I really want to keep going. I don't see the end of my career on the horizon, although I can't say how many years I have left either."
Djokovic touched by Federer farewell
But the Serb was able to experience firsthand on Friday that every career has an expiry date when Roger Federer celebrated his big, highly emotional farewell to tennis: "It was definitely one of the most beautiful moments I've ever experienced. What I found most emotional did was when his children came onto the pitch and I saw their tears," said Djokovic.
This leaves only two representatives of the "Big Three", who have dominated tennis over the past few years like no other group of players in previous generations: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. When it comes to the Grand Slam title, the latter leads very gently ahead of his opponent from Serbia. If it is up to him, this rivalry can go on for a few more years.