Roger Federer says he needs Novak Djokovic to succeed in his immortal report of eight Wimbledon crowns.
The title of “king of grass” is likely one of the few information the tennis legend has left since Rafael Nadal and Djokovic set new benchmarks within the race to be thought-about the so-called GOAT.
Federer, nonetheless, says he has his causes for wanting the Serbian celebrity to affix him on eight Wimbledon titles.
Djokovic jumped forward of Nadal when he gained his twenty third grand slam crown on the French Open final month — and it sparked a conspiracy principle surrounding Federer’s emotions in direction of the world No. 2.
Federer was not seen or heard when Djokovic claimed his twenty third slam, whereas Nadal was fast to submit his congratulations on Twitter.
Federer’s silence was famous by tennis followers on the time, contemplating how fast he had beforehand been when congratulating Nadal on his large victories.
Federer has now set the report straight.
In an interview with CNN, the 41-year-old stated it’s the neatest thing for tennis that Djokovic goes on to match his Wimbledon feat.
“Honestly, I think it’s great for him. I had my moments,” Federer stated.
“Having won my eighth, or fifth in a row maybe, that was my moment, so if someone equals that or passes that this is their moment.
“I know nowadays things are media driven, player driven, and I was driven as well by trying to break records, equal records, but now as you sit back you have a totally different perspective as you’re not in it anymore. You start relaxing. You’re just very proud of your achievements.
“I hope he does it to be honest because anything more he does adds to tennis history. It goes above and beyond just talking tennis. It goes into global conversations. Like when he went to 23 now in Paris, it’s incredible stuff. It’s good news and good for the game.”
He stated he considers Djokovic the favorite to defend the crown he gained final 12 months when defeating Nick Kyrgios within the gents’s ultimate.
Federer, who retired final 12 months, was handled to a standing ovation at Centre Court on Tuesday, as crowds gathered to look at ladies’s third seed Elena Rybakina and American Shelby Rogers.
Djokovic’s triumph at Roland Garros final month was not the primary time there have been strategies Federer has tended to favour Nadal over Djokovic.
Most famously, Federer posted a message of heat congratulations when Nadal tied his report of 20 slam titles after successful the 2020 French Open ultimate towards Djokovic.
His message to Nadal was undeniably elegant, but it surely was seen that Djokovic was not talked about as soon as.
Federer stated within the flattering message it was an “honour” to share the report with Nadal.
Catherine Whitaker stated on The Tennis Podcast on the time that Federer’s message made Djokovic the “third wheel” once more.
David Law additionally stated on the podcast on the time: “Federer didn’t mention him in the note, which I must admit I did look down and I thought, ‘Oh, no, can’t see that’. Maybe that’s just an oversight.”
While that’s one aspect of the conspiracy principle, there’s additionally the truth that Federer did congratulate Djokovic after his triumph on the 2023 Australian Open.
Federer, in the meantime, has additionally declared his sympathy is with Nadal after the Spaniard was pressured to take time away from the game because of an ongoing hip harm.
Nadal stated final month he’ll probably retire on the finish of the 2024 tour.
Source: www.news.com.au
