Federer relishes ‘different’ future

Roger Federer’s wife Mirka, his mother and children watched the Swiss legend’s final match in London. (Reuters)

London: Roger Federer promised his fans they had not seen the last of him after bringing the curtain down on his glittering career, saying he would see them on a “different type of tennis court” in future. “This is not the end-end, you know, life goes on,” he told a post-match press conference after playing his final match at the Laver Cup in the early hours yesterday, having recovered the poise that was the hallmark of his career. “I’m healthy, I’m happy, everything’s great. The message from me was just making sure I relay my passion for the sport to the fans, and I let them know that hopefully we’ll see each other again on a different type of tennis court somewhere around the world,” he added. “I have no plans whatsoever, where, how, when. All I know, I would love to go and play places I have never played before or go say thank yous for years to come to all the people that have been so supportive of me.” Federer, who had not played tennis competitively since Wimbledon in 2021 due to a knee injury, said at times during the build-up to the match, which started late on Friday, he had been “horribly nervous”. “The last two days have been tough to say the least,” he said. “Thankfully in moments I totally forgot about it, slept great, everything was wonderful, I could enjoy it, I feel.”