Novak Djokovic stated he wants his biggest rivals to be by his aspect when he brings the curtain down on his profession, very similar to Roger Federer’s emotional goodbye to the sport final week.
Images of Federer and Rafael Nadal – who shared one in every of tennis’s most enthralling rivalries – sitting collectively and crying after combining in a Laver Cup doubles defeat at London’s O2 Arena on Friday went viral on social media.
Djokovic and Andy Murray – two of Federer’s different essential rivals – have been additionally current for the 41-year-old’s ultimate bow.
“It was just a very touching, very emotional moment,” Djokovic instructed reporters on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, the place he’ll play an ATP 250 occasion this week.
Federer lower an emotional determine at the Laver Cup
“Seeing his youngsters and his household, it bought me emotional as nicely. I additionally should say I used to be enthusiastic about how it might search for me after I say goodbye to tennis.
“There is definitely one thing that I will wish to have, other than, of course, my family and the close people in my life, I would love to have my biggest rivals and competitors there. Because it added something more special, added more importance to that moment.”
The 35-year-old, who’s one main title behind Nadal’s males’s file of twenty-two, stated felt no points with his wrist, which had been bothering him throughout the Laver Cup in London final week.
Djokovic stated the Spaniard stays his biggest rival.
“We played the most matches against each other of any other rivalry in the history of tennis,” stated Djokovic, who missed the Australian and US Opens this yr due to not being vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19.
“The rivalry is very special and keeps going. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to play against each other more times. Because it’s exciting for us and also for tennis fans and sport fans around the world.”
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