Roger Federer reveals he could come out of retirement in Rafael Nadal Laver Cup vow
Roger Federer has stated he would be willing to come out of retirement to play doubles alongside Rafael Nadal at this year’s Laver Cup.
The Swiss icon confessed he did not anticipate to partner Nadal in doubles in the team tournament, but vowed to participate if the Spaniard were to ask him.
Federer played the final match of his extraordinary 24-year career at the 2022 Laver Cup in London, when he teamed his great opponent and buddy Nadal on the doubles court. The renowned combination were crushed 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9 by Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
Nadal is one of four players, along with Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, who has been confirmed for Team Europe’s six-man squad for the 2024 Laver Cup. This year’s edition of the team tournament will be hosted in Berlin from September 20-22.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Federer was asked about the potential of joining Nadal again in doubles at the Laver Cup.
“I don’t think we’ll play doubles together at Laver. But if he asks me, I’ll be there,” declared the Swiss.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion also addressed comparisons between Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz‘s burgeoning rivalry to his battle with Nadal.
“I hadn’t thought about it, but yes, Sinner and Alcaraz have a rivalry like Nadal and I. I think that each tennis player has their own rivalries and in many respects it is still too early to talk about it,” Federer said.
“But Sinner and Alcaraz are from the same generation, they are very strong and respect each other a lot. They both started off on the right foot in tennis and theirs promises to be a thrilling battle. It’s amazing to see them play.”
Federer, who represented Team Europe at the Laver Cup in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022, played the last match of his singles career at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, when he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion underwent three surgeries on his right knee between 2020 and 2021, with the condition essentially prohibiting him from competing after the 2020 Australian Open.
