American 24-year-old Frances Tiafoe has recently spoken highly about Swiss maestro Roger Federer. The 20-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis earlier this year at the Laver Cup aged 41. Representing Team World, Frances Tiafoe was also present at Federer’s farewell.
Tiafoe, who is a huge Federer fan, believes that there will never be another player like Federer and no one will ever be able to do what he did. The American said that no one could either carry themselves like Federer and he is just happy that he got to play against him and has the privilege to call himself his friend.
“There will never be another one like Federer. No one’s going to play the game like he did. No one’s going to carry themselves like he did. He never sweated, he never had a wrinkle on his shirt. I’m happy I got to play against him. I’m happy I got to call him a friend,” Tiafoe said.
Roger Federer’s emotional farewell at the Laver Cup
Federer played his last singles match last year at Wimbledon where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinal. Due to fitness issues, Federer decided to undergo yet another knee surgery and hence was ruled out for almost a year. He started rehab in March and was supposed to return around Wimbledon but wasn’t able to attain full fitness at the time.
He took some more time and when he understood that he will never be able to play at the highest level, he announced his retirement at the Laver Cup. He played a doubles match with his greatest rival and friend, Rafael Nadal which the duo lost in three sets.
Despite the result, Federer received an immaculate farewell at the O2 Arena in London from his fans and fellow players. His retirement will go down as one of the most emotional moments in tennis history.
