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Roger Federer Doha 2021

Roger Federer talks US Open final and names ‘nice’ aspect in New York


Roger Federer said that one of the nicest elements of the US Open final was seeing the history-making Rod Laver watching on in the crowd. 

Novak Djokovic was bidding to become the first man since Laver in 1969 to achieve the Calendar Slam, though was beaten convincingly by Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Alongside the Calendar Slam in 1969, Laver won a total of 11 Grand Slams, nine Major titles less than the record currently set by Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“For me, Rod Laver is an absolute, true legend of the game and not only him but his whole generation of players,” Federer told Mercedez-Benz.

“I’m really thankful for everything they have done back in the day.

“It was nice to see him again at the US Open in the finals watching Novak trying to equal his counted Grand Slam.

“I think it is possible that it’s going to be and going to happen again.

“We saw it with Novak, myself and Rafa [Nadal] that we come extremely close, but doing it I think you need a bit of luck, you need personal strengths, you need everything and that’s why I think it’s going to be hard but it’s possible.

“We have to ask also Rod Laver what he thought because he was sitting first row watching Novak play, but what Novak did this year was truly exceptional.”


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.