Serena Williams His last match is expected to be at the US Open three weeks ago.
“Not surprised. Exactly like me, in many ways. We were hoping it would come up at some point.”
federer told the Associated Press. “You never want a player like Serena to ever retire. … I just thought, ‘What a great career.'”
He admits that after nearly a quarter-century in tennis he gets out back-to-back – he
41 and departs with 20 Grand Slams title and that
turns 41 on Monday and has 23 major singles Championship – will inspire some fans to move on from the game.
However, Federer insists that much will last.
“I mean, look, it’s not going to leave some fans with the same taste for the game. We may be missing some, because they say, ‘Okay, that chapter is closed for me, and I’m on the other side. Will move on to the sport or another athlete,'” Federer said in an interview Wednesday at the Laver Cup, where the final match of his illustrious career will take place on Friday night for Team Europe in doubles with rival Rafael Nadal.
“And some will be with the sport forever, because tennis is just a sport (that), once you’re in it, you’re normally in it. So I don’t believe many people will leave, ” He continued. “But they probably won’t wake up at 3 a.m. for the Australian Open anymore. Or maybe they don’t use their leisure time to travel to a place. Maybe they’ll say, ‘Okay for a few years’ ‘Let me go with a friend of mine and travel somewhere nice adventure,’ till they find their way back.
He and Williams – along with Nadal, 36, who has a men’s-record 22 Slam titles, and Novak Djokovic, 35, with 21 titles – helped create a golden era in the sport,
Attracting new audiences and motivating new players,
“Serena and Roger probably have more fans than anyone in tennis,” said 24-year-old Taylor Fritz, California, who is the highest-ranked American at number 12 and is part of Team World in London. “It’s hard to replace two iconic people like them, but I still think there are very exciting times ahead.”
Yet what happens after they leave?
“These two players are irreplaceable. I don’t think there’s any question about that,” said John McEnroe, who won seven major trophies from 1979 to 1984. He added this warning: “The game is on, no matter what, and we’ve seen that in every game over time.”
That is why Federer is one of the most optimistic people about the future.
“I’m a big believer, always, that tennis is bigger than anyone,” he said, “and it will always create new superstars.”
Federer thinks the highlight-reel shots that make their way to social media can help. So can the “Adorable Story” of each new top player.
McEnroe mentioned the need for the game to better market the new faces.
Someone Federer believes might fit into the “superstar” category
Spain’s 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz wins US Open And by 1973 he became the youngest person in the history of the ATP computerized ranking to be No.1.
Federer seen – on TV – out of few
Alcaraz’s epic quarter-final against Janik Sinner at Flushing Meadows, a 21 year old from Italy. It lasted 5 hours, 15 minutes, ending at 2:50 a.m. in New York — which is 8:50 a.m. in Federer’s home country of Switzerland, so the father of two sets of twins missed the fifth set, he explained, “Because I had to bring the kids to school.”
He came out impressed with both the players.
“Super movers. Great ball-striker, forehand and backhand,” Federer said. “And I always said this: The best movers are the best players. We’ve seen it with Novak, we’ve seen it with Rafa, we’ve seen it with ourselves, Layton (Hewitt). You name it. . . . more Because you cover the court, therefore, you end up giving yourself more time and less stress.”
Alcaraz’s all-court competence has been compared to Federer’s, though it’s too soon-to-be-his-name-in-a-sentence-like.
Federer did not dismiss the comparison.
“He has great power with his forehand. And that sets everything up for him. In that sense, when you can, like I did, you can decide, ‘May I drop the shot? Should I hit it big? Should I hit it big again? Or should I really go for the angle? Or should I come in?'” explained Federer, whose first Grand Slam title came at 21. “My problem. When I was younger — and I don’t think I was nearly as good at his age — for me, it was so hard to decide which one to make. He seems to have more clarity. He’s more mentally is stronger. He’s worked harder. You can see his body; if you look at our two bodies, we were different people. He has a lot going on that’s already going in a really good direction. Then this It’s just a matter of giving power, solving it.”
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