He was certain that tears would flow at the Laver Cup (an annual match between Europe and the Rest of the World, which Roger Federer helped create) on Friday evening in London. But who would have bet on those of Rafael Nadal?
A few minutes after the end of the match that ended his 25-year career (a double with Rafael Nadal that ended in defeat against the American pair Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, 6-4, 6-7 ( 2/7), 9-11), Roger Federer assured that he was “not sad” but “happy“, despite the emotion that overwhelmed him, especially when talking about his family. “We’re gonna get there one way or another, huh?“, he slipped, his throat tight, to former player Jim Courrier, who asked him on the court and in front of the public about his first feelings as an ex-professional tennis player. “It’s been a wonderful day, I told the guys I’m happy, I’m not sad, it’s wonderful to be here“, he assured, despite his already bright eyes.
“I wasn’t stressed so much“, he assured, even if, after a year and a half without playing and with a right knee that forced him to retire, at 41, he feared “a calf glitch or a locked back during the game, so I’m really glad I finished it“. Reflecting on his exceptional journey, Mirka’s husband assured that he “would start again without changing anything“.”It should never have been like this, I just loved playing tennis and hanging out with my friends. I never thought it would end here, it’s been a perfect course“said the father of 4 children, two sets of twins. The hardest part for him was to talk about his family present in the stands.
“Do we really have to go through this?“, he asked, before changing his mind. “NOh, it’s okay, I’m not doing too badly so far, I feel like, at least I can talk. In my visions, I couldn’t even speak“, he joked. He notably paid tribute to his wife, Mirka, whom he met twenty-two years ago, who “so supported“.”She could have stopped me a long, long time ago. But she didn’t, she let me go on and allowed me to go on, it was amazing, thank you”he managed to slip before being overwhelmed by sobs.