Roger Federer’s retirement at 41 after his Laver Cup double in London on Friday will face his 30-year-old rivals and Team Europe teammates Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic with the question of their own future. .

“Sitting here, I think it’s good to be the first of these guys to go. It seems appropriate to me, “explained the Swiss, on Thursday, during the collective press conference.

The eldest of a golden generation that enchanted the circuit for more than fifteen years, Federer was by turns the ultimate reference, then a king with a wobbly crown, before becoming a challenger himself.

He even managed to return to the limelight a few years ago when few thought he could.

But the condition of his right knee ended up scuppering his hopes of an eventual recall to the stage and the announcement of his imminent retirement a week ago sent his rivals back to their own sporting limits.

“I didn’t need to hear this news to know the end was near. It’s the normal cycle of life, right? Nadal (36), a philosopher, continued on Thursday.

“The First of Us to Leave”

“But this time it’s our turn and this is probably one of the most important players, if not the most important, in the history of this sport to leave,” he said.

“And, it’s true, when the first of us goes, there’s something in your head that you miss. On a personal level, yes, it was very, very, very sad news and a difficult day,” the Mallorcan admitted.

“When you grow up as an athlete, with some physical dysfunctions, you inevitably wonder if you should call it quits, when and how you’d like it to happen,” admitted Murray, of his 35 springs.

Along with an opponent, these players also lose a sting.

“I know how lucky I was to be part of that generation (…) We always wanted to win against each other, to always be better than each other,” said Djokovic, also 35.

“I was incredibly happy to be on this team, knowing that it would probably be the first and last time we would all be together, even if at the time I didn’t know yet that he was going to retire.” he said.

“His announcement made it even more special,” he added.

Several times, the ax has already failed to fall on some of them.

“There is no better way to go”

When asked about his most memorable matches with ‘Roger’, Nadal specifically mentioned the 2017 Australian Open final.

“A few months ago, we were together, injured, talking about what it would be like if we could get back on the court at this level, and a few months later, here we are playing the final in Australia, in five sets,” the Spaniard said. , while at his side Federer slipped a “yes, it’s true” with dreamy nostalgia.

And for fans, the gap will be huge, but the younger generation hopes to fill it.

“It’s going to be difficult for a lot of fans because Serena (Williams, who retired at the last US Open) and Roger probably have more supporters than anyone else in tennis,” noted American Taylor Fritz, 24.

“But I think tennis is becoming more and more fun (…) because in every tournament there are ten players who can possibly win. I hope the fans will continue to follow tennis,” he pleaded.

Before that, he still has a double to live, a final mark that everyone hopes will be memorable for a legendary career.

“I think seeing him and Rafa, on the same side of the net (…) with Bjorn (Borg) at the end of the court, in the presence of John McEnroe, with Rod Laver in the stands, it’s a very nice way to end his career . I can’t think of a better way to get out of it,” Murray said almost jealously.