Tennis: Roger Federer one of the greatest athletes of any sport, says Novak Djokovic

Tennis: Roger Federer one of the greatest athletes of any sport, says Novak Djokovic

The 41-year-old Swiss great will play competitively for the last time at this week’s Laver Cup, turning out for Team Europe alongside Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray, and Djokovic – the three biggest rivals of his glittering 24-year career.

Novak Djokovic hailed the resigning Roger Federer as one of the best competitors ever and said he would leave an enduring inheritance for the universe of tennis.

The 41-year-old Swiss great will play competitively for the last time at this week’s Laver Cup, turning out for Team Europe alongside Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray, and Djokovic – the three biggest rivals of his glittering 24-year career.

Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slam titles, has struggled with injuries in recent years and said last week that he would end his career after the Laver Cup in London.

“His impact on the game has been tremendous, the way he was playing, his style, effortless, just perfect for an eye of a tennis coach, player or just a tennis fan,” Serbian Djokovic told reporters on Wednesday at London’s Tower Bridge.

Djokovic beat Federer in four significant finals incorporating at Wimbledon in 2019, the Swiss’ last Huge homerun last.

“Both Andy and I didn’t know that this is going to be his last match, his farewell this weekend, so that makes this occasion even greater because he’s one of the greatest athletes ever to play sport, any sport,” said Djokovic, who is one major title behind Nadal’s men’s record of 22.

“His prominence on and off the court justifies itself with real evidence. So I’m certain we will have a ton of fun this end of the week.”

This week’s Laver Cup will be the first time that Federer, Nadal, Murray, and Djokovic are playing together in an event since the 2019 Australian Open.

“It’s great we will have a chance to spend some quality time off the court together,” Djokovic told Eurosport.

“We have group suppers and will talk about tennis, sports, life. We don’t typically do that on visits, we have our own groups and families, so this is very one of a kind.

“We all want to win and perform well but at the same time because of Roger’s farewell and the opportunity to be alongside some of my greatest rivals in my career you also want to share some good times off the court too.