Connect with us

Tennis

Roger Federer has ‘one more real chance’ of Grand Slam triumph as Novak Djokovic hailed

Published

on

Roger Federer speak

Federer, a 38-year-old from Switzerland, is planning to finally fill that gap on his rather full resume on Friday, when he and his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal, are scheduled to play an exhibition match in Cape Town.

Roger Federer shakes his head and sounds a bit embarrassed when he’s asked why he’s never played a tennis match in South Africa until now.

It is, after all, where his mother was born.

“I don’t know what took me so long, to be quite honest,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion said. “I said, ‘It’s not possible that I’m on the tour for 20 years, I’ve become the player that I have been, and I’ve never played in South Africa. It’s just not OK.’ I couldn’t live with myself if that happened.”

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Federer, a 38-year-old from Switzerland, is planning to finally fill that gap on his rather full resume on Friday, when he and his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal, are scheduled to play an exhibition match in Cape Town.

“You know how it is. Life on tour sometimes is what it is. I couldn’t be more excited now that it’s actually really happening. I hope I’m going to be really fine to play. I believe I am, but we’ll see,” Federer said after losing in the semifinals at the Australian Open, where his movement was hampered by a painful groin muscle.

“Also, that Rafa is willing to do it is exciting, of course, to say the least. I know my parents are very happy, very proud, as well. I’m sure it’s going to be very, very special for me on many levels to play there.”

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer

The hope is to generate more than $1 million for the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports early childhood education in six African countries and Switzerland. Its CEO, Janine Haendel, said the foundation already has reached more than a million children in its history.

“It will be such an emotional moment for him,” Haendel said about the event in South Africa, which also is slated to include an appearance by Bill Gates. “For him, it’s really a dream. It’s been a project for quite some time.”

But this wasn’t just about raising — or making — money, Federer said. He wanted to make sure the event was accessible for spectators, so 10,000 tickets were available for about $11 each. The aim is an attendance of 50,000, which would be the largest crowd on record for a tennis match.

That goes along with part of Federer’s interest in burnishing his legacy — and that of the game he plays.

Roger Federer and Serena Williams

“Reminding people,” he said, “that tennis is a big-time sport.”

He tries to do that in various ways, such as appearances at the Oscars or the Met Gala or by playing in exhibition matches all over the globe.

“Maybe spread the word, the gospel, a little bit,” Federer said. “Go to places I don’t usually get a chance to play and maybe also bring tennis where it’s not maybe seen as much.”

Roger Federer

Roger Federer may only win one more Grand Slam title, according to one-time Wimbledon champion Pat Cash. The Swiss last week missed out on Australian Open glory with Novak Djokovic winning the title Down Under instead and his Grand Slam lead is looking precarious.

Federer was thumped by Djokovic in their Australian Open semi-final clash, with the Serb winning 7-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Roger Federer

Djokovic went on to win the crown, surviving an almighty scare to beat Dominic Thiem 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Sunday’s final.

It means that Federer’s Grand Slam lead has now been reduced. Djokovic is just three behind the 38-year-old, with Rafael Nadal trailing by one.

And Cash thinks Federer may only win one more Major, which the 1987 Wimbledon champion thinks could come at the All England Club.

“Federer has a chance – probably one more real chance – of getting one more title at Wimbledon,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I still think he is up there in the best players on grass. He’s still good enough.

”But the other couple of guys look like they are carrying on. Every tournament is different depending on lead-ups and injury.

“At this stage any little injury or setback is massive for the older guys.

“You look at who he [Djokovic] has beaten in finals, he has beaten Tsonga and Anderson, but the majority of them have been against Murray, Nadal and Federer.

“He has beaten those guys more or less all the time.

Advertisement

Recent Posts

Serena Williams dazzles on party Serena Williams dazzles on party
News8 months ago

Look at Six Serena Williams’s private photos that dazzled everyone…. looking provoking

  Serena Williams made one of the most common fashion blunders last night when she flashed her underwear when climbing...

Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere
Celebrity8 months ago

For The Sake Of Sex: Serena Williams drops panties and gets people talking…

  Let’s talk about sex: More specifically Serena Williams’ sex life. The video below is Serena Williams wearing a butt-bearing...

Serena Williams who have dated her Serena Williams who have dated her
News8 months ago

Serena Williams: 14 eye-popping killer body pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo
Celebrity8 months ago

12 Serena Williams’ incredible powerhouse swimsuit pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Venus Williams is pictured at wedding Venus Williams is pictured at wedding
Celebrity8 months ago

Venus Williams || Six private photos that dazzled everyone and got fans talking

  As for her biggest role models, Serena Williams says she really doesn’t have to look beyond her own mother...

Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing
News9 months ago

Serena Williams posts Six private photos: Everyone is talking about

  Serena Williams is one of the top athletes in the world. But the Los Angeles native still likes to...

Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo
News9 months ago

Serena Williams posts 8 provoking bikini pictures and got fans talking

  The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams looks fine, sweet and sexy once she wore a bikini on holidays...

Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about
Celebrity9 months ago

17 overwhelming pictures Of Serena Williams we can’t stop looking at…

  Tennis legend Serena Williams is rewarding herself with some fun in the sun following an extremely action-packed schedules in...

Venus Williams wedding pics, Venus Williams wedding pics,
News9 months ago

In Photos: Tennis Superstar Venus Williams tie Knot with Boyfriend

  Legendary athlete Venus Williams is commonly regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time. And while...

Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams
News9 months ago

“Serena Williams and I had several Exhausting Marathon S*x and I still miss her s*x… “She just knows how to do it very well,” — Sean Kingston opens up

  Sean Kingston has finally revealed the truth about what really happened between him and Serena Williams having Exhausting Marathon...

Advertisement

Copyright © 2017