Roger Federer hails ‘unbelievable’ Novak Djokovic for ‘writing historical past’ with twenty third Grand Slam

Roger Federer is backing long-time rival Novak Djokovic to win grand slams ‘for a very long time nonetheless to come back’ after the Serb set a males’s document together with his twenty third on the French Open.

Djokovic brushed Casper Ruud apart in straight units at Roland Garros to drag three away from Federer, and one away from Rafa Nadal.

However there was no jealousy or ill-will on the a part of Federer, who was again standing on a courtroom in London for the primary time since retiring on the Laver Cup final 12 months. 

‘I assumed what Novak did is unbelievable,’ Federer stated at an occasion in Greenwich.

‘Truthfully, it is nice for tennis, nice for sports activities when tennis writes its personal historical past and retains on including to it like we have seen with Serena Williams as properly, Rafa then myself and now with Novak.

Roger Federer was in east London to assist open two renovated tennis courts for native children

He was filled with reward for Novak Djokovic after he gained his twenty third Grand Slam title in Paris

‘It is a good time in tennis to be a fan as properly, but additionally a participant.’

Federer was on the town in his function as a Mercedes-Benz ambassador, serving to open two new courts within the borough of Greenwich as a part of his Neon Legacy project.

The renovation and refurbishing of the road courtroom, situated in Bostall Gardens, was delivered in collaboration with famend post-graffiti inventive duo Low Bros – brothers Christoph and Florin Schmidt from Berlin. 

And with loads of native faculty kids in attendance, Federer was quizzed on all the pieces from Djokovic’s success as to if he resented the actual fact he had such stiff competitors throughout his profession.  

‘I bear in mind after I got here on tour, and Pete Sampras reached 14 [slams] we thought “Okay, that one is gonna keep without end”,’ Federer added. 

‘Then I went to fifteen, I finally ended up at 17, after which we pushed one another to twenty – I do not bear in mind who was first – after which Rafa pushed it to 22.

‘Then now Novak pushed it to 23 and he appears to be like like he is gonna carry on doing that for a very long time nonetheless to come back, which is nice. And I want him all the very best.

‘I believe additionally the way in which he is doing it nonetheless – he is not the youngest anymore, we neglect. He appears to be like younger and he does it in a younger means, nevertheless it’s not straightforward, and I assumed it was a tremendous victory. So I could not have been extra pleased.’

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have been on the high of the game for the previous twenty years –  however Federer was eager to additionally spotlight his admiration for Andy Murray, who has been proper there with the trio for years.

Mercedes-Benz ambassador Federer took footage with native schoolchildren on the launch

He even grabbed a racket to have successful as he confirmed he nonetheless has it regardless of retiring in 2022

Federer was quizzed by guests on his idols and the way he’s discovering life as a retired participant

Murray continues to be battling on regardless of having main hip resurfacing and for his sheer dedication to the sport Federer is a ‘large fan’. 

‘Andy is a particular man and I am very pleased he is nonetheless in a position to play. He loves it,’ Federer added.

‘He actually loves it. With all of the problems he is had together with his hip, it is wonderful to see that he is nonetheless going and I believe all of us ought to give him like, a correct form of a spherical of applause should you like, as a result of what he is going by and what he is reaching with what he is gone by is unbelievable. 

‘Humorous sufficient, he simply gained a Challenger, I imagine in Surbiton final week. I performed that again in ’99, misplaced within the semis. And he gained the identical week as Novak acquired to this unbelievable document of 23 slams, that additionally deserves a lot respect. 

‘So I am a giant fan of of Andy’s as properly and I want him all the very best for Wimbledon as that is his finest floor in my thoughts, particularly these days. So I hope he wins many, many rounds at Wimbledon in a few weeks.’

Federer joked that he’s loving life in retirement and has taken up a brand new job as a ‘skilled driver’ for his 4 kids.

He spoke very extremely of Andy Murray as an inspiration for his continued need to maintain taking part in

He nonetheless holds loads of sponsorship commitments, together with with Mercedes-Benz, and he’s making ready to be again in London for the beginning of Wimbledon on the All England Membership in just a few weeks.

‘You already know I need to say retired life is nice,’ he concluded. ‘I used to be simply talking earlier than that the very best a part of being retired is simply not having to place the physique by the wringer. 

‘In fact, I nonetheless get pleasure from going out on the tennis courtroom, particularly these days with my kids. So every time I get an opportunity to return on the tennis courtroom, it makes me very pleased. And particularly much more so right here in London the place I’ve had such an incredible historical past when it comes to outcomes and recollections, in fact, over time. The Olympics, O2 area, after which as properly at Wimbledon, so I added one other courtroom to my assortment [today] that is a wonderful one. Very particular.’