'I just admire Roger Federer so much', says Grand Slam champion

In recent days, even darker clouds have been gathering over Roger Federer's future. On the occasion of the Laureus Awards, where he was named the best Swiss athlete of the last 70 years, the 20-time Grand Slam champion confided that he is not yet 100% physically and that his participation in the Australian Open 2021 is at great risk. The former world number 1 did not take the field since the semi-final played in Melbourne this year against Novak Djokovic, before undergoing two operations on his right knee which interrupted his season prematurely. Thanks to the new pandemic-induced ranking system, King Roger has retained a place in the Top 5, but certainly the latest news can't leave his fans alone. The big goals of the 39-year-old from Basel in 2021 will be Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics, but it is undeniable that the recovery of the Swiss is not proceeding as we would have imagined a few months ago. As a member of the Laureus Academy, WTA legend Monica Seles presented the award to Federer on Sunday. The nine-time Grand Slam champion described her emotions on the sidelines of the event.

Seles reflects on Roger Federer

“It’s absolutely amazing, they’re all going for who's going to be potentially the greatest male tennis player in the history," Monica Seles explained. "It’s hard to believe that this moment could ever be replicated, and all these amazing champions, that they have achieved already so much, but they still have that drive and willpower to go out there." As a member of the Laureus Academy, Monica Seles has presented the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award to both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Recalling those moments, Monica Seles admitted she couldn't control her delight at getting the rare opportunity. "When I learned that I had the amazing honor of presenting the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award to Roger Federer, and then the year after to Novak Djokovic, it was one of those moments where, again, I was screaming in my room," Seles said. “Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are both athletes I just admire so much, and what they have achieved on the tennis court and off the tennis court, is just fantastic," Monica Seles added. "And to be able to be in that position where I can share just for a mini-second that Laureus World Sports Award with them just meant so much to me."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2LMUdQ3