Rod Laver: Roger Federer told me he wants to play until he is 40
In an interview with Blick, Australian legend Rod Laver commented on Roger Federer's longevity. Laver revealed some details from a private conversation he had with the 20-time Grand Slam winner, some time ago. "I did not stop myself until the age of 38 and I think you can perfectly do it if you like the game as Roger does. He once told me he would like to play until 40. That's good. He is also very lucky with his coaching team, which helps him to remove some issues," said Laver.
And Federer also travels with his whole family. "Yeah, that could be the only problem in Roger's life. But his wife handles their twins amazingly, everyone is doing well and the people have been doing a great job - they are great."
Federer and Rafael Nadal are connected by mutual respect and friendship. Who were Laver's closest friends in his playing days? "I had a very long relationship with Ken Rosewall. Before in the amateur era, I was always on the court with Roy Emerson, the Open Era started just in 1968. If in the past, I had the chance to win Grand Slam titles as a professional player, I would have some more ATP titles on my list."
Laver's nickname is The Rocket. Last week following his fourth round win in Indian Wells over Kyle Edmund, Federer admitted he would like to get a proper nickname for himself as well. "Yeah, I heard it. We Australians like to give nicknames. I did not think about one for Roger yet."
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2FpJl4I
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