Roger Federer may have retired from the professional tennis last September but he has once again promised his fans to make a return to the court to play some exhibition games.
The 20-time GS champion suffered with multiple knee issues at the latter stages of his career and had to call time on his illustrious career at the age of 42. However, the father of four was back on court for promotional events at the Laver Cup last weekend and showed the fans that he still has that ballerina movement in his body and touch in his hands.
The Swiss maestro has no confirmed that he is preparing to get in shape to make a return to the court for a couple of exhibition matches. Federer has always been active to promote his Foundation by charity-attracting events as he has attracted huge crowds by playing exhibitions against Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.
“I’m in the gym, I’m getting back on court and I’d love to play to exo’s,” he said at the Laver Cup.
“Secretly, I miss it, of course. I miss seeing the happy faces of people that hopefully I was able to entertain.
“You miss the exciting moments spent on court, the break points saved, winning match points, holding up trophies, walking past fans, taking selfies.
“I guess you like to be the centre of attention at times, but on the other hand, it doesn’t matter that I’m not any more.
“It’s good with the way my life is right now. The Tour was good to me. I loved every moment, but I am happy with my life now.
“It’s been beautiful to be home more. Spending time with friends and family has been incredible.
“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, organizer and 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.”
Match for Africa Series is a notable charitable cause Federer has been part of with the most recent event taking place in early 2020 when he along with his friend and greatest rival Nadal brought a money-spinning Fedal. Both Roger and Rafa were also part of a doubles match against Bill Gates and TV presenter Trevor Noah in Cape Town shortly before COVID-19 pandemic.
The former world No. 1’s foundation raised $3.5 million from an exhibition event that drew a largest ever crowd of 51,954. John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg of the previous tennis generation also played exhibitions after concluding their careers and there is a possibility that the Swiss and Spaniard GOATS of the game will be following the suit.
Despite enjoying one of the greatest rivalries over the last two decades, Federer and Nadal have developed a strong bromance off the court and while Nadal is still looking for a return to the tour in 2024 after his own injury issues, their on-court pairing would still attract big numbers, given their huge fanbases.