By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Roger Federer shares one career commitment he's making ahead of his competitive farewell at Laver Cup in London this weekend.
Photo credit: Laver Cup Facebook
Contemplating life after professional tennis, Roger Federer has already come to one career conclusion.
Federer is committed to a future career path: living life as a ghostbuster.
More: Borg Sums Up Federer's Career Simply and Powerfully
Speaking to the media in London today ahead of his Laver Cup farewell this weeked, the 41-year-old Swiss superstar delivered a direct message to his fans: I won't ghost you.
Former world No. 1 Federer plans to remain involved in the sport though he hasn't decided what tha future role could be
"I just wanted to let the fans know I won't be a ghost," Federer said. "It's funny,you know, I talked about Bjorn Borg just before. I don't think he returned to Wimbledon for 25 years.That, in a way, hurts every tennis fan. Totally acceptable, his life, his reasons, you know.
"But I don't think I'll be that guy, you know, and I feel tennis has given me too much. I have been around the game for too long. Have fallen in love with too many things.I love seeing people again, and that's kind of what I wanted to let the fans know that you'll see me again.
"Not just never again. Now what it could be, in what capacity,I don't know. So I still have to think about it a little bit but give myself time."
The 20-time Grand Slam champion is Laver Cup owner and his Team8 Management firm represents several players, including Coco Gauff. Federer could become a tournament owner, expand Laver Cup into a mens and women's event or create a women's version of the popular event, explore tennis commentary or impact the sport in an administrative role.
Federer hopes to play one final Laver Cup match, which will likely be doubles and will probably see him reunite with rival Rafa Nadal possibly on Friday night.
"This is why I asked Bjorn if it was okay if I play maybejust one doubles, and I guess that one would have to be on Friday night," Federer said. "Then I guess Matteo would come in forme and have to play on Saturday for me. Bjorn said obviously, Of course, that's totally fine.
"Bjorn spoke to John, as well. They spoke to the tournament and the ATP if that was okay and everybody said that was fine.So here I am trying to prepare for one last doubles, and we'll see with who it is. I'm obviously, I don't know, I'm nervous going in because I haven't played in so long. Ihope I can be somewhat competitive."
As for his immediate future following Laver Cup, Federer said he plans to take some time to watch, read absorb media coverage of his retirement and career before taking a family vacation.
"WhatI'm going to do next is I want to read a lot of what maybe a lot of you have written and a lot of TV stuff. I haven't seen stuff that have been produced and put together for me I haven't seen really, to be honest," Federer said. "So that's what I want to do next is catch up a little bit, see everybody, and then go on vacation a little bit with the family.
"I think it's a perfect moment for me to then spendtime with Mirka and get on the phone with the team and just talk a little bit about the Laver Cup, you know, howhas this week gone and where do we go from here?"
Federer hopes his transition from iconic champion to retired pro athlete and father of four children will start smoothly alongside Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg and his teammates.
The owner of 103 career titles says he views this closing chapter of his glorious career as a celebration rather than a lonely exit.
"Having Bjorn Borg on the bench with me for my final game resonated also in a big way with me. Having all the other guys around just felt like I was not going to be lonely announcing my retirement," Federer said. "Not that I wanted to hijack this event or anything, but just felt -- I always feel sorry for players who sometimes retire on the tour, say, I'm going to play one more match, then at one point you lose and there you stand all alone.
"Obviously 99% of the time you will lose at one point because only one guy wins the tournament.I just felt like this works very well here. But I always wanted to keep the integrity of the event alive. That's why I had a lot of conversations with everybody. I'm really looking forward to these next few days. It's goingto be very special."