IMAGE: Novak Djokovic revealed that his desires an identical Roger Federer-like retirement.
{Photograph}: Andrew Boyers/Reuters
Novak Djokovic mentioned he desires his largest rivals to be by his facet when he brings the curtain down on his profession, very similar to Roger Federer’s emotional goodbye to the sport final week.
Photos of Federer and Rafael Nadal – who shared one among tennis’s most enthralling rivalries – sitting collectively and crying after combining in a Laver Cup doubles defeat at London’s O2 Enviornment on Friday went viral on social media.
Djokovic and Andy Murray – two of Federer’s different fundamental rivals – have been additionally current for the 41-year-old’s closing bow.
“It was only a very touching, very emotional second,” Djokovic instructed reporters on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, the place he’ll play an ATP 250 occasion this week.
“Seeing his youngsters and his household, it acquired me emotional as properly. I additionally should say I used to be enthusiastic about how it could search for me after I say goodbye to tennis.
“There’s positively one factor that I’ll want to have, aside from, after all, my household and the shut individuals in my life, I’d like to have my largest rivals and rivals there. As a result of it added one thing extra particular, added extra significance to that second.”
The 35-year-old, who’s one main title behind Nadal’s males’s document of twenty-two, mentioned felt no points along with his wrist, which had been bothering him through the Laver Cup in London final week.
Djokovic mentioned the Spaniard stays his largest rival.
“We performed probably the most matches towards one another of some other rivalry within the historical past of tennis,” mentioned Djokovic, who missed the Australian and US Opens this yr on account of not being vaccinated towards COVID-19.
“The rivalry could be very particular and retains going. Hopefully, we’ll get an opportunity to play towards one another extra occasions. As a result of it is thrilling for us and in addition for tennis followers and sport followers around the globe.”