Roger Federer has already played his final stages together with his great friend and rival Rafael Nadal in a match that will go down in tennis history.
The Swiss says goodbye to the sport to which he has dedicated his life. Each racket genius has his own arguments in favor of being considered the best. Laver, as a pioneer; Borg, as precocious and condenser of a career in a few years; Sampras, for his dominance of the fast courts.
Federer's transcends the conquest of a blow, a surface or a record. He wasn't the precocious, nor was he the oldest, and he doesn't even have many of the records that make you fight for the honorary title of the best. Djokovic has more weeks at the top of the ATP and more Masters 1,000, Nadal more Grand Slams, and Jimmy Connors, more titles.
Why, then, is it difficult to blur his figure from the discussion? Why can't it be said categorically that Federer is not the best in history? Because Federer has built his career on an aura of elegance, talent and tennis like no one else in history and with which the fan can feel greater empathy than the rest of the masters.
His relationship with Nadal also transcends the sport they practice. The Swiss stated that it makes him "very happy" to be able to call Rafael Nadal at "any time" and talk to him about "anything" and hopes to give him advice on his future fatherhood.
The Swiss spoke extensively about the relationship that unites him with the Spanish tennis player in the press conference after the doubles match that both players played in the Laver Cup and that served to put an end to the Swiss's career.
"We have been very connected, especially in the last ten years. I think since I have children. I don't know if that has helped me or changed me in any way or if our rivalry has evolved. I have no idea," Federer said.
"It makes me very happy where our relationship is today, that I can call Rafa and talk about anything. I think he feels the same way. It has also been special that Rafa's family has been here these days, because It shows you that it's not just that Rafa has come to play and nobody in his team cares. I can feel his passion for me, as a person."
"That's very important. I think he feels the same way when he sees my parents, my children, my wife. It's a very nice thing. I hope the same thing happens to him with the children he's going to have. "I can give some advice. It's not easy," Federer laughed, "but as parents we always have to do our best. We enjoy each other's company and have many memories, but we also like to spend time together. I feel like, every time we we spent an afternoon together, we lack time", reflected the Helvetian.
