The Large Three have lengthy dominated males’s tennis. However the eldest of the three, Roger Federer, on Friday bid adieu to the game after his doubles match on the Laver Cup in London. This leaves simply two extra members within the ATP tour amid the rise of younger stars, led by Spanish teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz who not too long ago gained the US Open earlier this month. Therefore, Novak Djokovic, the youngest of the Large Three, was requested by a reporter on the risk Alcaraz poses, however he shut the query with an epic Rafael Nadal assertion.
It has been an emotional three days for members of Workforce Europe at Laver Cup and for tennis followers throughout the globe as Federer drew curtains on his 24-year-long profession. Federer had nonetheless misplaced his remaining match, a doubles alongside Nadal, earlier than Workforce Europe conceded the four-point lead on the ultimate day with a formidable turnaround scripted by Frances Tiafoe and Felix Auger-Alisamme. Moments after Workforce World’s maiden Laver Cup win, Djokovic as soon as once more paid tribute to Federer whereas talking to Spanish media.
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“I believe these had been a number of emotional days, due to Roger’s goodbye and we felt the good power of his farewell. He is likely one of the founders of the Laver Cup, so I believe it was a good way to say goodbye to tennis. This can be a distinctive competitors, now we have enjoyable collectively. I’m very completely happy to have been a part of Workforce Europe. We misplaced sadly, however I believe this was a unbelievable week that I’ll keep in mind for a very long time,” mentioned the Serb.
With Laver Cup over and focus shifting again to the ATP tour and Djokovic slated to return to motion subsequent week, the world no.7 was requested about whether or not in Federer’s absence, Alcaraz has emerged as his largest rival. The teenager had defeated Djokovic in his solely assembly in Madrid Open earlier this yr. However Djokovic snubbed the Spaniard to select his compatriot and 22-time Slam winner. “Nicely… Nadal remains to be right here, is not he?” queried the stunned Serb. “Clearly, it is nonetheless Rafa, so long as he performs, he’s my largest rival.”
Djokovic will play at Tel Aviv Watergen Open beginning Tuesday.