Roger Federer sent private warning before travelling to Laver Cup

Roger Federer says Djokovic was 'in touch' after Laver Cup

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Roger Federer surprised supporters by appearing in Boston during the opening day of the Laver Cup after initially suggesting he would be watching the tournament from his home in Switzerland. The 40-year-old is not competing at the event for the first time as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

Federer played a big part in creating the Laver Cup in 2017 and he led team Europe to three consecutive victories.

There was no event last year because of the coronavirus pandemic but Federer is expected to try and help his native region keep up their winning trend.

However, the Swiss star’s former coach Paul Annacone claims he told Federer to be less biased this year.

“He is in town,” Annacone said on the Tennis Channel. “He said he got there and is happy to be there. I think he is disappointed not to be playing but he will share the electricity.

“I told him that he has to be a little bit less bias now, he can’t be totally all Europe.”

Fellow pundit and former world No 1 doubles star Mark Knowles does not reckon Annacone’s advice will be followed.

“Nah I think he’s all team Europe,” Knowles said. “He will obviously be disappointed not be playing but it is great to have him on the grounds.

“He will be an inspiration for some of the debutants on team Europe.”

Federer has initially revealed that he would be watching the Laver Cup from home.

“Look, I’m disappointed. I’m going to miss the guys, I’m going to miss the team, the spirit, the fans, the weekend, just everything that goes with it – cheering on my fellow players,” he explained.

“I’m going to miss it because I had a wonderful time in Geneva, Prague and Chicago, but have already been in touch with Thomas Enqvist, the coach of team Europe and I will also definitely call Bjorn and John and make sure everything is ok and obviously I’ll be in touch with the team and I‘ll be watching a lot of the matches.

“It’s going to be long tennis days in front of the TV, so I’m really excited that it’s Laver Cup time again.”

He continued: “I think team Europe will be again the favourites and I think having Sascha Zverev as Olympic Champion and Daniil Medvedev as the US Open champion on the team it’s going to be really good for us, especially for the singles.

“I think doubles indoors – anything is possible to be honest. I think it’s going to be close in the doubles. In the singles we have slight edge but they have a lot of young players on team World, so I think a lot will be possible for them but it’s amazing how strong Team Europe has become over the years, also smaller nations being really dominant.

“But, you know, no Rafa, no Novak, no me on the team, so I think they will need a new leader or Bjorn Borg is obviously just going to take over as the captain, the super captain, the king.

“I really hope that Team Europe of course is going to win again.”

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