‘I Don’t Feel Like an Alien,’ Says Roger Federer on Returning to Tennis Courts After Retirement – News18

Tennis royalty Roger Federer, the Swiss Maestro who called time on his illustrious career two years ago, opined that staying involved in the sport has helped him from feeling alienated.

Ahead of the latest instalment of the Laver Cup, a tournament the 20-time major winner helped create, Federer expressed that turning up at events kept him happy.

“I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the Swiss legend began.

“I feel I ripped the bandaid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” 43-year-old opined.

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

“People (and) players ask you ‘what are you doing here?’ and you’re like ‘exactly — if you keep talking like this, I will never come back’,” he jested.

“I’m happy I’m still able to feel comfortable in a setting like this because it would be so much easier just to stay home, get comfortable at home and realise you don’t need to be on tour anymore,” the 20-time grand slam winner added.

Federer went on to praise the current players on the tour, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The Swiss, however, stopped short of providing his evaluation of former rival Rafael Nadal, who has been plagued with injuries.

“With Rafa we don’t know — it remains to be seen. It’s hard for me to make a prediction on Rafa because of the little tennis he has played this year,” Federer said.

“Novak, winning the Olympics and playing somewhat let’s say a full season — he didn’t bow out because of injuries, he chose to play less which is normal when you get a bit older,” he added.

“I feel like he has chances moving forward,” Federer continued.

Federer also expressed that the upcoming edition of the Australian Open filled him with excitement and opined that it would be an event to follow with intent.

“I look forward to Australia which is the next Slam. I think he’s definitely going to be one of the favourites along with Sinner and Alvarez,” the eight-time Wimbledon winner said.

“I think the Australian Open story will be a very cool one to follow,” the Maestro added.

He also touched upon Alexander Zverev, who nearly clinched his first-ever Grand Slam title at the Roland Garros, before fizzling out in the final of the event against Spaniard Alcaraz in dramatic fashion.

Federer stated that the German would do better if he were to go on the attacking front at crucial times in games.

“I see someone who’s playing much too passively, much too defensively when it matters the most,” Federer opined.

“I think Zverev has to remind himself to try to not be too passive and then I think honestly something really great can happen for him,” the Swiss legend concluded.