Roger Federer eyes new tennis role as Swiss watches Laver Cup from the sidelines

Novak Djokovic says he will 'keep going' after US Open win

Roger Federer still loves being involved in tennis and has hinted that he would be willing to become a future captain at the Laver Cup. The legendary Swiss star brought the curtain down on his illustrious career at the international team event a year ago when Team World won the trophy for the first time in its five-edition history.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion is in Vancouver this week for the 2023 event, where his 12-month retirement from the sport will be recognised in a special ceremony. The former world No 1 will also conduct the coin toss for the final match of the first day’s play.

Federer’s allure to the Laver Cup is obvious. He helped Team Europe to win the competition on three occasions before ending his career at the tournament in a doubles match where he was partnered with old rival Rafael Nadal but lost to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.

Speaking to ESPN, Federer admitted that his drive for a European victory still burns and that he would love to skipper the side one day.

He said: “There’s something in me that’s Team Europe. I’m happy if World wins, don’t get me wrong, but somehow I can feel it deep inside, I want Europe to win. I like being in the tennis sphere. Maybe one day I’ll be the captain of the team.

“There’s no plans as of now, but I think that could be quite nice.”

Team Europe is currently captained by another legend of the sport, namely Bjorn Borg. The 67-year-old will rekindle his old rivalry with American John McEnroe, who is in charge of Team World once again this year.

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Between 1978 and 1981 the two captains faced each other 14 times on court, winning seven matches each. They met in four Grand Slam finals with McEnroe winning at the US Open in 1980 before retaining his title in 1981 as well beating Bjorg at Wimbledon in the same year.

But the Swede’s five-set victory over McEnroe at the All England Club in 1980 is widely considered to be one of the greatest matches in the history of the sport.

Bjorg and McEnroe have captained Team Europe and Team World at the Laver Cup since its inception in 2017.

But if the search should soon begin for new captains to take the competition forward, Europe need look no further than Federer for a winning track record that could inspire another triumph in the future.

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