Novak Djokovic needs largest rivals at his swansong much like Roger Federer send-off | Tennis Information

Novak Djokovic stated he needs 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.

Pictures of Federer and Rafael Nadal – who shared certainly one of tennis’s most enthralling rivalries – sitting collectively and crying after combining in a Laver Cup doubles defeat at London’s O2 Area on Friday went viral on social media.

Djokovic and Andy Murray – two of Federer’s different essential rivals – have been additionally current for the 41-year-old’s closing bow.

“It was only a very touching, very emotional second,” Djokovic informed reporters on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, the place he’ll play an ATP 250 occasion this week.

Picture:
Federer minimize an emotional determine on the Laver Cup

“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 may be undoubtedly one factor that I’ll want to have, aside from, after all, my household and the shut folks in my life, I’d like to have my largest rivals and opponents 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, stated felt no points together with his wrist, which had been bothering him throughout the Laver Cup in London final week.

Djokovic stated the Spaniard stays his largest rival.

“We performed essentially the most matches in opposition to one another of some other rivalry within the historical past of tennis,” stated Djokovic, who missed the Australian and US Opens this yr as a result of not being vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19.

“The rivalry could be very particular and retains going. Hopefully, we’ll get an opportunity to play in opposition to one another extra occasions. As a result of it is thrilling for us and likewise for tennis followers and sport followers world wide.”

Originally published at San Diego News HQ