Novak Djokovic hopes for similar farewell to Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic has said he wants his biggest rivals by his side when he decides to retire.
Djokovic was present at the Laver Cup which saw the world of tennis bid farewell to Roger Federer. Federer and Rafael Nadal were both visibly emotional after their doubles defeat on Friday night. Djokovic admitted that he too was affected by the overall occasion.
”It was a very touching, emotional moment,” Djokovic told reporters in Tel Aviv, where he will play an ATP 250.
”Seeing his kids and his family, it got me emotional as well. I also must say I was thinking about how it would look for me when I say goodbye to tennis.
Djokovic has dominated men’s tennis along with both Federer and Nadal as part of the ‘Big Three’. Yet it is with Andy Murray that Djokovic has contested all four Grand Slam finals with. The Serbian has spoken about potentially reuniting with his fellow adversaries once he decides to hang his racquet up for good.
”I would love to have my biggest rivals and competitors there. Because it added something more special, added more importance to that moment,” Djokovic said.
World number seven Novak Djokovic also spoke of his intention of reigniting his rivalry with fellow great Nadal, who remains one ahead on 22 in the race for the most Grand Slams.
”We played the most matches against each other of any rivalry in the history of tennis”, he pointed out to reporters at his pre-tournament press conference.
”The rivalry is special and keeps going. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to play against each other more times.”
The two players have only met once in 2022, at the quarter final stage of the French Open which saw Nadal prevail in four sets.
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