Roger Federer told he is ‘fortunate’ to get Laver Cup Nadal Djokovic and Murray send-off | Tennis | Sport

Former British No 1 Tim Henman has claimed that Roger Federer is “fortunate” to get a send-off at the Laver Cup alongside Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. The Swiss star announced that the tournament would be his last before retiring from professional tennis, and Henman believes that it is “fitting” that the big four are together to compete one final time.“I think it’s hugely fitting that the big four, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, are all in one event,” Henman told Eurosport. “And with that being Federer’s last time on a competitive match court, it’s a great send off from his fellow competitors and I’m sure it’ll be an amazing send off from all the fans there.“I think the atmosphere at [the] Laver Cup is just going to be incredible. It will be my first Laver Cup, I’ve never experienced the atmosphere and the whole event itself. With this being his retirement, playing at the O2, which is an incredible arena, I think it will be a send-off that he deserves.“It’s very difficult to plan these things and you’ve got to be very fortunate to get the right opportunity [for a great send-off], but for me it’s absolutely ideal. It’s an event that he’s been a significant part of, both on and off the court, and I’m sure the fans in London will give him a proper send off.”JUST IN: Roger Federer retirement ‘a relief’ as coach details ‘extreme strain’ Swiss has been underFederer will be competing for Bjorn Borg’s Team Europe alongside Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud at the O2 Arena starting Friday against John McEnroe’s Team America. There have however been concerns over whether the 41-year-old will be able to compete in his tennis swansong.The 20-time Grand Slam champion will make a decision on his participation at the “last moment” according to his fitness coach Pierre Paganini. “He will probably decide that at the last moment,” Paganini told Swiss publication Blick. “He’s trained to have as much information as possible about whether it’s a good idea or not. I am excited.”DON’T MISSThe news comes after another of Federer’s coaches, Severin Luthi, admitted that Federer is aiming to play at least one singles or doubles match at the cup. “It’s not definitive yet but he trained hard last week and is training again this week.”His aim is to play something – whether it’s singles or doubles we’ll have to see, but his aim is still to play at the Laver Cup – definitely.”We have three hours in the morning. Trained and in the afternoon another two hours of training, I want to do my job well there,” said Luthi.



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