Agency :
Novak Djokovic paid a warm tribute to his rival Roger Federer Friday, saying they had enjoyed “a decade of incredible moments and battles” after the Swiss great’s announcement that he will retire after the Laver Cup this month.
Djokovic, reacting 24 hours after Federer said he was quitting, said on social media: “Your career has set the tone for what it means to achieve excellence and lead with integrity and poise.
“It’s an honor to know you on and off court, and for many more years to come.”
Rafael Nadal also congratulated Federer on his extraordinary career while Serena Williams welcomed the 41-year old Swiss to the “retirement club” after the American herself quit the game this month.
Federer Thursday admitted his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on a historic career that has yielded 20 Grand Slam titles and earned him a reputation as one of the most elegant players the game has ever seen.
It was not a total surprise as he has been out of action since a quarter-final loss at Wimbledon in 2021.
After that match he underwent his third knee surgery in 18 months as time caught up with him.
Federer said in a social media statement that his 24 years on the tour had been “an incredible adventure”.
Knee problems restricted him to only three of the 11 Grand Slams played since the start of 2020 and he said his body had sent him “a message”.
Djokovic, who is six years younger than Federer and has collected Grand Slam titles as the Swiss player’s powers have dimmed, had been conspicuous by his absence among the tributes Thursday.
But a day later he said: “Roger, it’s hard to see this day and put into words all that we’ve shared in this sport together.”
The duo played 17 matches at Grand Slam tournaments, including five finals, with Djokovic leading that head-to-head 11-6.
Tennis has now lost two of its greatest names in quick succession, after the 40-year old Williams bowed out following a third-round defeat at the US Open this month.
Nadal, arguably Federer’s greatest on-court rival, said it had been “an honor” to face him.
The pair played 40 times, including nine Grand Slam finals, with Nadal holding a 24-16 winning record.
Federer will finish his career behind only Nadal, with 22, and Djokovic, with 21, on the all-time list for most men’s Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic held a 27-23 winning record over Federer from 50 meetings. Wimbledon, where Federer won a record eight titles, also paid Federer a handsome tribute.
Teenager Carlos Alcaraz, the up-and-coming man in tennis having won the US Open last Sunday to become the youngest-ever world number one, tweeted a broken heart emoji.
The Laver Cup promises to be an emotional final meeting of the “Big Four” who have dominated men’s tennis over the past two decades.
Nadal, Djokovic and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will all play for Team Europe.
Federer, who won 103 ATP titles, had said in July he hoped to play one more Wimbledon.
He departs with regrets but added he had lived a life that many would envy.
Federer won the last of his Slam titles at the 2018 Australian Open and last played in a major final at Wimbledon three years ago, losing to Djokovic despite holding two championship points.
