Roger Federer one of many biggest athletes of any sport: Djokovic

Novak Djokovic hailed the retiring Roger Federer as one of many biggest athletes of all time and mentioned he would depart a long-lasting legacy for the world of tennis.

The 41-year-old Swiss nice will play competitively for the final time at this week’s Laver Cup, turning out for Team Europe alongside Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Djokovic the three greatest rivals of his glittering 24-year profession. Federer, who has gained 20 Grand Slam titles, has struggled with accidents lately and mentioned final week that he would finish his profession after the Laver Cup in London.

“His impact on the game has been tremendous, the way he was playing, his style, effortless, just perfect for an eye of a tennis coach, player or just a tennis fan,” Serbian Djokovic advised reporters on Wednesday at London’s Tower Bridge. “He has left a huge legacy that will live for a very long time.” Djokovic beat Federer in 4 main finals together with at Wimbledon in 2019, the Swiss’s final Grand Slam remaining.

“Both Andy and I didn’t know that this is going to be his last match, his farewell this weekend, so that makes this occasion even greater because he’s one of the greatest athletes ever to play sport, any sport,” mentioned Djokovic, who’s one main title behind Nadal’s males’s document of twenty-two.

“His popularity on and off the court speaks for itself. So I’m sure we’re going to have a blast this weekend.” This week’s Laver Cup would be the first time that Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic are taking part in collectively in an occasion for the reason that 2019 Australian Open. “It’s great we will have a chance to spend some quality time off the court together,” Djokovic advised Eurosport.

“We have group dinners and can chat about tennis, sports activities, life. We don’t usually do this on tour, we’ve our personal groups and households, so that is fairly distinctive.

“We all need to win and carry out nicely however on the identical time due to Roger’s farewell and the chance to be alongside a few of my biggest rivals in my profession you additionally need to share some good occasions off the courtroom too.