Patrick McEnroe believes Roger Federer’s love for tennis played a big role in the Swiss enjoying a very long and successful career. Federer, who turned 41 in August, retired from pro tennis after the Laver Cup in September.
After undergoing two knee surgeries in 2020, Federer made a return to tennis the following year. Unfortunately, Federer played just five tournaments before undergoing a third knee surgery, after which he wasn’t able to come back.
In late September, Federer returned for just one doubles match. Federer holds the record for the oldest No 1 in tennis history – he was 36 years and 10 months when he last time reached the top spot. “A lot of players, I tell this to people all the time, some players love to win, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras.
Roger Federer loves to win obviously, that made him one of the greatest ever, but he just, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that just loved to go out there and just hit the ball around, a great player as much as him,” McEnroe said on the Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast, per Sportskeeda.
Federer elevated tennis to a new level
Even though Federer didn’t manage to finish his career with the all-time Grand Slam record, many still believe that no player has had a bigger impact on the game than the Swiss did.
Recently, Nick Kyrgios explained what Federer did for tennis. “I think when it’s all said and done Novak will be the GOAT, but I think without Federer there is no Nadal, no Djokovic, he bought so many fans to tennis. Nadal and Djokovic will let you work your way into the match a bit more, with your groundstrokes and stuff, but Federer can just make you feel like pure s—, makes the court look so small.
If it’s purely tennis related I’d say Novak, but if it’s more than an athlete I’d say Federer,” Kyrgios said on The JBK Show.
