Roger Federer admits he 'didn't want' to give tearful speech which also made Rafael Nadal cry
Roger Federer admitted he didn't want to take the microphone after his last game as a professional player. The 41-year-old broke down in tears after losing a doubles match alongside former rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Federer announced earlier this month that he would hang up his racquet after the London tournament. His participation in the event was in doubt following the knee injuries he has struggled with in recent years.
He was only fit to play a doubles match and fulfilled his wish to do so on the same side of the net as Nadal. Team Europe lost to Team World pair Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, but that didn't stop Federer from bidding an emotional farewell to the crowd afterwards.
Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Jim Courier called the former world No. 1 for the on-court interview after the match. Federer broke down in tears several times during the chat, and Nadal was also clearly emotional about the situation.
Speaking afterwards at his press conference, Federer admitted he knew taking the mic was always going to end one way. He said, "Well, that's the part that worried me the most, picking up the mic.
"All I said to Tony [Godsick, Federer's agent] is that I want to be able to have an evening where I don't have to take the mic. Maybe you think he makes sense that I should take the microphone.
"In my mind, no, just because I know how impossible I am on the mic when I'm emotional, because I've had it many times before. But I was able to remember always on the court how wonderful it is."
Federer admitted he had been 'scared' of when his career would end for several weeks. However, he highlighted the many positives he has after a glittering period in the sport is over.
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Federer hints at future matches immediately after tearful retirement
He added, "It's not the end, you know, life goes on. I'm healthy, I'm happy, I'm fine, and it's just a moment in time, you know. It's obviously supposed to be like that.
"So that's okay, and that's how I was able to always have a second wind, and really be able to say at least whatever I wanted to, I guess. I was able to go to all these places Jim helped me.
"He was very nice. It was wonderful. A few weeks ago, for a fact, I was so scared of this moment that it really worried me."
Roger Federer admitted he didn't want to take the microphone after his last game as a professional player. The 41-year-old broke down in tears after losing a doubles match alongside former rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Federer announced earlier this month that he would hang up his racquet after the London tournament. His participation in the event was in doubt following the knee injuries he has struggled with in recent years.
He was only fit to play a doubles match and fulfilled his wish to do so on the same side of the net as Nadal. Team Europe lost to Team World pair Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, but that didn't stop Federer from bidding an emotional farewell to the crowd afterwards.
Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Jim Courier called the former world No. 1 for the on-court interview after the match. Federer broke down in tears several times during the chat, and Nadal was also clearly emotional about the situation.
Speaking afterwards at his press conference, Federer admitted he knew taking the mic was always going to end one way. He said, "Well, that's the part that worried me the most, picking up the mic.
"All I said to Tony [Godsick, Federer's agent] is that I want to be able to have an evening where I don't have to take the mic. Maybe you think he makes sense that I should take the microphone.
"In my mind, no, just because I know how impossible I am on the mic when I'm emotional, because I've had it many times before. But I was able to remember always on the court how wonderful it is."
Federer admitted he had been 'scared' of when his career would end for several weeks. However, he highlighted the many positives he has after a glittering period in the sport is over.
READ MORE Federer hints at future matches immediately after tearful retirement
He added, "It's not the end, you know, life goes on. I'm healthy, I'm happy, I'm fine, and it's just a moment in time, you know. It's obviously supposed to be like that.
"So that's okay, and that's how I was able to always have a second wind, and really be able to say at least whatever I wanted to, I guess. I was able to go to all these places Jim helped me.
"He was very nice. It was wonderful. A few weeks ago, for a fact, I was so scared of this moment that it really worried me."
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