Roger Federer is backing old rival Novak Djokovic to win grand slams ‘for a long time’ after the Serb set a men’s record at the French Open at 23.
Djokovic pushed aside Casper Ruud in straight sets at Roland Garros to win three against Federer and one against Rafa Nadal.
But there was no jealousy or ill will on the part of Federer, who was back on a London pitch for the first time since his retirement from last year’s Laver Cup.
“I thought it was incredible what Novak did,” Federer said at an event in Greenwich.
“Frankly, it’s great for tennis, great for sport when tennis writes its own history and adds more and more to it, as we’ve seen with Serena Williams, Rafa then myself and now with Novak.
Roger Federer
“It’s a great time in tennis to be a fan as well as a player.”
Federer was in town in his role as Mercedes-Benz Ambassador and helped open two new courts in the Greenwich borough as part of his Neon Legacy Project.
The renovation and refurbishment of the street court, located in Bostall Gardens, was completed in collaboration with the renowned post-graffiti artistic duo Low Bros – brothers Christoph and Florin Schmidt from Berlin.
And with many local schoolchildren in attendance, Federer was quizzed on everything from Djokovic’s success to whether he resented facing such fierce competition throughout his career.
“I remember when I came on tour and Pete Sampras turned 14 [slams] we thought ‘Okay, that one stays forever,'” Federer added.
“Then I went to 15, I finally finished at 17, and then we pushed each other to 20 – I don’t remember who was first – and then Rafa pushed it to 22.
Then Novak pushed it to 23 now and it looks like he will continue to do that for a long time, which is great. And I wish him the very best.
“I also think about the way he still does – he’s not the youngest anymore, we forget that. He looks young and he does it in a young way, but it’s not easy and I thought it was a great win. So I couldn’t have been happier.’
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have spent the last two decades at the top of the sport, but Federer was also keen to express his admiration for Andy Murray, who has been with the trio for many years.
Murray is still battling on despite major hip resurfacing and because of his sheer dedication to the game, Federer is a “huge fan.”
Andy is a special man and I am very happy that he can still play. He loves it,” Federer added.
‘He really loves it. With all the complications he’s had with his hip it’s amazing to see him still doing it and I think we should all give him a real kind of round of applause if you will because what he’s going through and what he’s accomplishing with what he has been through is incredible.
“Funnily enough he won a Challenger last week I believe in Surbiton. I played that in ’99, lost in the semifinals. And he won the same week Novak achieved this incredible record of 23 slams, which also deserves so much respect.
“So I’m also a big fan of Andy’s and I wish him all the best for Wimbledon because that’s his best surface in my mind, especially these days. So I hope he wins a lot of rounds at Wimbledon in a few weeks.’
Federer joked that he loves life in retirement and has taken a new job as a “professional driver” for his four children.
He still has numerous sponsorship commitments, including with Mercedes-Benz, and is preparing to be back in London in a few weeks for the start of Wimbledon at the All England Club.
“You know I have to say retirement life is good,” he concluded. “I was just saying that the best thing about being retired is that you don’t have to put your body through the wringer.
“Of course I still enjoy going on the tennis court, especially with my kids these days. So if I get the chance to get back on the tennis court, it makes me very happy. And even more so here in London where I’ve had such a great history over the years in terms of results and memories of course. The Olympics, the O2 arena and then Wimbledon too, so I’ve added another court to my collection [today] that’s a nice one. Very special.’