Murray shares ‘special’ Federer, Nadal and Djokovic Laver Cup moments

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Andy Murray has reflected on his time at the Laver Cup after making his debut at the tournament during Roger Federer’s retirement. This year’s edition of the team event marked the first and last time that the Big Four joined forces, with the Swiss icon also ending his career after a doubles match with Rafael Nadal.

Murray joined Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the fifth edition of the Laver Cup in London’s O2 Arena last month, becoming the last member of the Big Four to make his debut at the Ryder Cup-style team tournament. And it was the most significant Laver Cup yet, as Federer ended his 24-year career alongside his biggest rivals.

The Big Four got to take to the court together for the first time in a special practice the day before the tournament started before Federer played his last match in the doubles on Friday night as Murray, Djokovic and the rest of Team Europe cheered them on. The Brit is now playing his first tournament since making his Laver Cup debut, and has shared the most “special” moments of the weekend.

“It was strange even the days before the match that Roger and Rafa played together in the doubles,” the world No 48 said of Federer’s last dance, speaking to Cadena SER. “I felt quite emotional because we were doing a lot of interviews and being asked about the last 15 years of our careers, although I was standing still, I never thought so much about this period of my life, the games I played and things like that.”

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Murray admitted that seeing Federer alongside Nadal for his final match was the perfect way to end his impressive career, while he also said the moment that the 41-year-old was joined on court by his family was also a standout. He continued: “When Roger finished, seeing him with his family, the feelings of the players, of the public was very special.

“And I think it was a nice way to end his career playing alongside his biggest rival and friend, Rafa. I think it was very nice to see it, it was very special.” The former world No 1 was also taken aback by the reception when he and the rest of the Big Four took to the court for an open practice day ahead of the tournament, with the O2 Arena packed full of fans eager to see the multi-Grand Slam champions join forces for the first time.

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“I trained with Rafa and Novak a lot during my career with Roger a little in my beginnings, but I never trained too much with my rivals,” Murray admitted. “Just being on the court with them for one last time… We had fun with the public, very loud, very noisy.

“Strange experience that I had never experienced in a training session and will never experience again. I felt very lucky, privileged to be able to spend those last days with Roger and having Rafa and Novak there was very special. They were great days.”

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