Roger Federer: ‘I ask myself is it over? I spent wonderful time on the tour’

In a long interview to La Tribune de Geneve, in Dubai, Roger Federer was asked if he feels some form of nostalgia, as he had previously declared that his career has gone by very quickly: “Almost only when I am asked how long I will be playing still. My answer is that I don't know. Besides, this question intrigues me as well. But I also take the measure of what I know very clearly: the last 20-25 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Twenty-four years ago, I was competing at the Orange Bowl, the U14 world championship, and its 2019 edition took place in December, with Tony[Godsick, his agent]’s son playing. It makes me think back to that time, when I was 14.”

The Swiss continued: “So I find myself sitting here, at 38, and I ask myself: is it already over? If so, everything went really fast. But there is also something beautiful and reassuring about this feeling. Don't we say that time accelerates when you have fun? This was certainly the case for me. I spent wonderful years on the circuit. And I know that lots of beautiful things are waiting for me afterwards. Having said that, I already know that I will miss this life and the tennis family. This is why I take full advantage of it.”

To the same journal, Federer also spoke about his calendar, his top priority, and his “big challenge" until mid-January. Moreover, he made a comparison between himself and Pete Sampras, said he may retire before 2023, and revealed that his children “make some funny and strange requests for Christmas.”

The 38-year-old will try to add a 7th Australian Open title in Melbourne but won’t take part to any other ATP event before.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2rTek5y