Roger Federer peaked in the early 2010s. His rivalries with players like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, and Andy Roddick really came to the fore during those years.
One thing the 42-year-old has missed out on, though, which Djokovic and Nadal have experienced, is the matchup with the younger generation of elite tennis athletes. A dawn of a new era is being witnessed, and Roger Federer, who retired in 2022, unfortunately missed out on the opportunity to compete with the young prodigies.
Roger Federer hails Coco Gauff’s US Open triumph
Roger Federer has showered praise on Coco Gauff after the teenager walloped Belarusian world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open women’s final. Gauff won 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 and became the first American women’s US Open champion since Serena Williams.
“The current tennis scene looks really good to me, I mean if I look over just quickly to what Coco Gauff did at the US Open, I thought that was highly special and unique,” Federer said. “I’ve known her since five years now, she’s incredible.”
Roger Federer has long been an inspiration for Gauff. Their commonalities are as profound as their passion for the game. Both sprung onto the tennis scene as teenagers; both have achieved fame and success and have become commercially viable athletes in their adolescent years.
Federer’s grace and unique style of knocking opponents out cold with elegance have influenced the Cincinnati champion in her game.
Roger Federer talks about competing with next generation
Roger Federer disappointedly remarked on his lost chance of competing with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Holger Rune. All three players arrived in the spotlight just as the Swiss maestro was hanging up his boots for good.
“On the men’s side, we are experiencing great moments. Novak rewrites history, Alcaraz wins Wimbledon, Medvedev played fantastic in New York. There are young people arriving, a generation against whom I haven’t played at all, Rune, Sinner, & Alcaraz. Unfortunately, I couldn’t play against them. The future looks bright, the game will always evolve, & the good thing is that I really enjoy watching & following many results.” he said.
The Laver Cup has long provided the 20-time grand slam champion with the opportunity to mix with the younger generation, who have either competed or played in the same team as Federer.
The aforementioned athletes, along with Zverev, Tsitsipas, and others, have transformed the sport and spearheaded it in new directions. Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal’s dominance as the ‘Big 3’ of tennis is coming to a close, and the tennis legend seems to be missing out on the joy of sparring with the upcoming generational talents.
What are your favorite Federer moments and rivalries over the years? Let us know in the comments section below.
