Why Roger Federer's farewell marks a turning of the tide
Roger Federer gave his highly emotional farewell to tennis at the Laver Cup on Friday. There are many reasons why this event got under the skin in such a way.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 24, 2022, 10:43 pm
The speed of the internet can be cruel. Best example: the Wikipedia entry on Roger Federer. The fact that he referred to a “former” Swiss tennis player just a few minutes after the Swiss had celebrated his emotional farewell to tennis made what he had just experienced suddenly become so tragic on Friday evening.
Roger Federer has ended his career as a professional tennis player - and although he did not get a final victory alongside Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup in London, he did get a worthy farewell for his services to the sport. Completely irrelevant, whether on the benches at Team Europe and World or with the numerous observers from afar: hardly a dry eye stayed dry in these moments.
The time of the Big Three is coming to an end
Because the example of Federer showed impressively: everything comes to an end. And so it is a sad reality that world athletes, idols for entire generations like Federer, Nadal or Djokovic also have a human expiry date. That their time will eventually come to an end. And sooner rather than later.
The bright, happy facade of images of the Big Four - or, to paraphrase Andy Murray: the Big Three and a clown - circulating in the run-up to Laver Cups reveals an era that is drawing to a close. Roger Federer, the oldest representative, has preceded his rivals, and Nadal and Murray have also been plagued by massive physical problems for years. Sooner or later their followers will have to seriously consider saying goodbye to their idols.
Quo vadis, tennis?
Only Novak Djokovic, recently not carefree, but physically the most immaculate representative of this incredible generation of exceptional athletes, could still be involved at the best level for a few more years. Especially since the Serb is considered a prime example physically as well as the short list of injuries.
In any case, the Serb faces competition from the younger generation - who, especially in the person of Carlos Alcaraz, are already blowing the attack. And would welcome an immediate takeover of power with open arms. Nadal and Djokovic are still fighting back - and very successfully: The two high-flyers have won three out of four major titles this season. But only for two. Without Roger Federer.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are changing the sport
One thing is certain: Roger Federer leaves a huge hole in tennis. The Swiss has taken tennis to a whole new level worldwide and inspired generations across the continent to take up the sport. Roger Federer's services cannot be appreciated enough - even if the Swiss got a worthy farewell on Friday.
Despite all the misery that the sports world is currently (rightly) feeling: the playful farewell to Roger Federer and sooner or later also to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is exactly that: a purely playful farewell. Because tennis as we know it only works in close connection with these three names. That's exactly why it's so hard to say goodbye to them as active people.