Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis legend, received an honorary degree at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire, US, on June 9, 2024. Federer stayed involved with tennis in retirement to avoid feeling out of place and alienated. He helped create the Laver Cup tournament and retired two years ago at the Laver Cup in London. Since retiring, Federer has remained involved with the competition as an ambassador. Federer expressed his satisfaction with ripping the Band-Aid off quickly and shared that he still feels like he belongs around tennis sites, avoiding the feeling of being alienated, which can happen very quickly post-retirement. This continued involvement has enabled him to stay comfortable in a tennis setting.
Roger Federer expressed his happiness with his continued involvement in tournaments post-retirement, stating that he did not feel like an alien in the tennis world. He remains an ambassador for the Laver Cup and praised the young talents like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, looking ahead to next year’s Australian Open. Federer also expressed hope for his contemporaries Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who will not be present at the Laver Cup. He shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s performance throughout the season and his chances moving forward. Federer also highlighted the Australian Open as a cool story to follow.
Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the Laver Cup due to injury, was mentioned by Federer, but his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz will participate in the event as a member of Team Europe. German player Alexander Zverev, also part of Team Europe, was mentioned by Federer as being close to winning a Grand Slam but needing to be more attacking in crucial moments. Federer advised Zverev on being less passive and defensive during key moments, believing that he can achieve great success by changing his approach. The ongoing competition between Team Europe and Team World was also highlighted, with Team World winning the past two events after Team Europe had won the first four.
In conclusion, Roger Federer’s continued involvement in tennis post-retirement has helped him avoid feeling like an alien in the sport. He remains an ambassador for the Laver Cup and stays engaged with the tennis community, praising young talents and expressing hope for his contemporaries. Federer’s insights and advice for players like Zverev show his continued passion for the sport and desire to see players succeed. The ongoing competition between Team Europe and Team World adds an exciting element to the tennis world, with each team vying for victory in prestigious events like the Laver Cup. Federer’s contributions to tennis, both on and off the court, continue to make a significant impact on the sport and inspire players and fans around the world.