Tennis

Roger Federer drops retirement hint as Laver Cup set to make London debut at O2 Arena


Roger Federer is planning to play in London at the age of 41 after the announcement the Laver Cup will be staged at The O2 in 2022.

The venue on the Greenwich Peninsula in south-east London will stage its last Nitto ATP Finals in November this year with the season-ending event shifting to Turin.

But the big names in the sport will return in September 2022 with the three-day team competition between Europe and the rest of the World. The Laver Cup, which started in 2017 but was not held this year, is organised by Federer’s TEAM8 management company.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who has won eight Wimbledon titles, said: “London has always held a special place in my heart and it’s going to be incredible to bring the Laver Cup to one of my favourite cities in the world.

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“I know the British fans will love the way the Laver Cup brings together the top players in the world while paying respect and recognition to the legends of our game.”

Federer, who turned 39 last month, is out of the French Open and the rest of the season after undergoing double knee surgery earlier this year.

“I have been saying that before, so I’m working towards that. I’m at a good place right now, in a good position. Hopefully I can stay healthy and continue to play well.

“The historic No 1 ranking goal is something that is on the horizon, and I’m going to give my all and very best that I can possibly give in the next period to achieve that.

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“I can’t [look] too far [ahead], and I don’t know what years to come will bring for me and just tennis and the world in general.”

Djokovic is looking to secure Grand Slam No 18 at the French Open, which kicks off next week.

But to have a successful run at Roland Garros he feels he may need to avoid Rafael Nadal.

“Well, I cannot hope for Rafa not being in the finals,” Djokovic added. “I can hope for myself being in the final and fighting for the trophy.

“I mean, that’s probably the player that has the highest chance of being in the final in French Open, and any tournament, for that matter.”

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