“I still feel I belong there”: Roger Federer admits he retired early

Tennis great Roger Federer said on Wednesday that staying connected to the sport after retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup tournament in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired two years ago at the Laver Cup in London and has since been involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m glad I went back to some tournaments right away,” the 43-year-old Federer told reporters.

“I think I took the bandage off pretty quickly and when I walk around the tennis venues I still feel like I belong there.

“I don’t feel like an alien, which is a good thing, because you can feel like that very quickly.

“People (and) players ask you ‘what are you doing here?’ and you say ‘absolutely – if you keep talking like that, I’ll never come back.’”

“I’m glad that I’m still able to feel comfortable in this kind of environment, because it would be a lot easier to just be at home, feel comfortable at home and realize that you don’t have to go on tour anymore.”

The 20-time Grand Slam winner praised rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as he looks ahead to next year’s Australian Open.

Federer expressed hope for his remaining contemporaries Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who will both be absent from the Laver Cup.

“With Rafa we don’t know – that remains to be seen. It’s hard for me to predict Rafa because he has played so little tennis this year.”

“Novak, winning the Olympics and playing almost the whole season – he didn’t miss out because of injuries, he chose to play less, which is normal as you get older.

“I think he has opportunities to move forward.

“I’m looking forward to Australia which is the next Grand Slam. I think he will definitely be one of the favourites along with Sinner and Alvarez.”

“I think the Australian Open will be a great story.”

Nadal withdrew from the Laver Cup due to injury but his compatriot Alcaraz will participate as a member of Team Europe against Team World.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev will also play for Team Europe and Federer said he was “very close” to winning his first Grand Slam but needed to attack more in key moments.

“I see someone who is playing too passively, too defensive when it matters the most.

“I think (Zverev) has to remind himself not to be too passive and then I think something really good can happen for him, honestly.”

Starting in 2017, the first four events were won by Team Europe, but the last two have been won by Team World.

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