Roger Federer reveals what he misses about tennis as Rafael Nadal surprises him

Tennis News

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer share a joke

Kevin Palmer
September 23, 2023

Roger Federer has been looking back over his first year of tennis retirement and he has admitted he misses….

Speaking in an interview with former world No 1 Jim Courier at the Laver Cup, the 20-time Grand Slam champion reflected on how his life has changed since he played his last match a year ago.

While he clearly misses the buzz he got from tennis, the time he now has in his life is a big change that he has embraced.

“In a way, I miss everything about the game,” he began.

“The exciting moments spent on court, the break points saved, winning match points, holding up trophies, walking past fans, taking selfies.

“It’s been beautiful to be home more … spending time with friends and family has been incredible.

“I don’t have the weight of another match, of another practice where the body is maybe not right.

“Days are long but at the same time, I feel I don’t have enough time because I pack my schedule up.

“Four kids will do that to you as well. I am a professional driver nowadays, organiser, logistics man. It is a test on another level.

“They are amazing, I love them. But my god, I can’t believe who they are right now at 14. I feel like I have taught them everything and more and at the moment it is complicated but in a good way.

“I know it is going to pass, but I also like if it stays, because I like it if my girls have a strong character, so it is all good.

“My two cents of advice are that I am happy if they come and shout and cry at home, instead of doing that away. I know they can share all their emotions with me and I love the honesty, so it is all good.”

Federer’s emotional collapse as he ended his career at last year’s Laver Cup in London brought his army of fans around the world to tears and he admitted it was a moment he was dreading.

“It’s great to be back at the Laver Cup one year later and if I look back at the memories, I thought the farewell was beautiful, it was perfect, it was emotional, there was proper suffering going on throughout my talk with you,” he continued.

“I was always dreading the moment for years. I was just worried my end was somehow going to be not nice and it was the opposite, it was great.

“I felt really good about it and very happy, something I was very lucky to experience.”

Federer also suggested he would aim to have a role in tennis, as he vowed to make a return when the time is right.

“I’ve made myself a promise that I will be no stranger to the tour, I will try to come back from time to time, not all the time, but from time to time,” he added.

https://twitter.com/LaverCup/status/1705468615053480198

There was also a surprise appearance from Rafael Nadal during Federer’s interview, as his former rival popped up on the big screen to ask him who his favourite doubles partner had been.

Federer picked Nadal after he played alongside the Spaniard in the final match of his career at the Laver Cup, with the presence of the great Swiss star boosting the profile of the competition he has played a big part in building in recent years.

Rafael Nadal Roger Federer