Fans still have in mind the moving images of Roger Federer‘s retirement, announced in September last year and materialized at the 2022 Laver Cup. The Swiss played the last match of his career alongside his arch-rival Rafael Nadal at the O2 Arena of London, only to receive a splendid tribute that made everyone shed a few tears.
The former world number 1 was unable to give himself one last ‘trip’ to the Wimbledon lawns in 2023, because the conditions of his right knee were too precarious and it made no sense to take further risks. The Master of Basel had already tried a timid return in 2021, playing just 13 official matches and stopping again after Wimbledon.
In the letter posted on Instagram on September 15, 2022, the King promised that he will not walk away from the sport that has made him a global icon. According to the latest rumors, the 20-time Grand Slam champion should comment on Wimbledon 2023 for the BBC.
In the latest edition of the ‘Holding Court’ podcast, Patrick McEnroe explained what differentiates Federer from most of the past champions.
Patrick McEnroe opens up on Roger Federer
“A lot of players, I tell this to people all the time, some players love to win, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras,” Patrick McEnroe said.
“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.” The end of Roger Federer’s association with Nike, back in 2018, was not the healthiest one, with both parties getting into a dispute over the Swiss maestro’s ‘RF’ logo.
“That should never have happened. For us to let somebody like that go, it’s an atrocity,” Nakajima said in the book. “Roger Federer belonged with Nike for the rest of his career. Just like Michael Jordan. Like LeBron James, like Tiger Woods.
He’s right up there with the all-time greatest Nike athletes ever. Nike is still selling millions and millions of pairs of Jordans. When’s the last time Michael played? It’s been many, many years. They could have done the same thing for Roger.
For years to come, they could have created shoes with an RF logo,” he explained. “I’ve had the privilege to meet so many world-class athletes. He’s one of the top on my list, with regards Roger, the game changer, to how nice of a person he is,” Nakajima further said of the 41-year-old legendary athlete.”
