Casper Ruud recalls childhood hero Roger Federer's entry at last year's Laver Cup: Whole crowd erupted
India Today
Casper Ruud recalled the the whole crowd erupted for Roger Federer during last year's Laver Cup. Federer will play his last ATP Tournament at the forthcoming edition of Laver Cup in London.
World number two Casper Ruud said that the "whole crowd erupted" for Swiss legend Roger Federer during last year's Laver Cup in the United States.
The Norwegian recalled that the organisers had showed Federer on the big screen when Ruud stepped out to play the opening match of the 2021 Laver Cup for Team Europe. At that time, Federer was unable to compete in the event as he was recovering from knee surgery.
"I was playing the first match of the whole Laver Cup against Opelka," Ruud told the Laver Cup. "It was the first time they showed Roger on the big screen in TD Garden in Boston, and the whole crowd erupted like I never heard before."
The incident leaves Ruud curious to know what will happen when Federer will return to the Laver Cup, which is going to be the Swiss maestro's last ATP tournament. Federer recently announced that he will retire following the Laver Cup, which begins on September 23 in London.
"So, I can only imagine what it will be like when he’s on the team and when he enter the court," Ruud said.
Ruud, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, gained a lot of confidence by reaching the finals of the French Open and the US Open. He, however, still has nerves when he imagines playing in front of his teammates, which includes the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Bjorn Borg.
"It’s going to be so special this year, having the biggest four tennis players in my childhood. It’s going to be an honor. Probably going to be a bit nervous when I’m out there playing in front of them.
