Roger Federer Will ‘Try to Recruit’ Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray for ‘This’ Event

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray were in this year's Roland Garros for the retirement ceremony of Rafael Nadal.

Roger Federer Will ‘Try to Recruit’ Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray for ‘This’ Event

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray (Image via X/CGTN Sports Scene)

Roger Federer has planned for a Wimbledon comeback. Wimbledon kick-starts on June 30 and Federer wants to be there just like he did in 2023 and 2024.

Federer was the first member of the Big 4 to hang up his racket (at the 2022 Laver Up). Next was Andy Murray at the 2024 Paris Olympics; and a few months later, Nadal joined them after Spain lost their quarterfinal match to the Netherlands in the David Cup.

Only Novak Djokovic from this quartet remains. He will be aiming to win his 25th Major at SW19, where in the last two seasons, he lost in the final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic didn’t play any warm-up event before Wimbledon. Prior to the grass-court Major, he participated at the French Open, and after strong performances one after the other, the Serb lost a thrilling straight-set semifinal to eventual winner Jannik Sinner.

On day one of the Roland Garros, Federer, Djokovic, and Murray were there for Nadal’s tribute ceremony. The Swiss maestro, during an interview with TNT Sports, said he wants all the members of the Big 4 to be present during this year’s Laver Cup.

Then there is the Laver Cup, another very special week, I will try to recruit them for the occasion. I don’t know what other dates we have ahead of us, I’m sure we’ll be in touch, although it might be easier for us to coincide on the golf course than on the tennis court.

Djokovic last lifted the Wimbledon title in 2022 by beating Nick Kyrgios. He made it to every final of the grass-court event since 2018. The previous year, Federer lifted his eighth Wimbledon title, and Djokovic, in this Wimbledon, will be bidding to tie the tally with the 43-year-old.

Nick Kyrgios recalls his Wimbledon defeat to Novak Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios came close to lifting his first Grand Slam title when he reached the 2022 Wimbledon final. Wimbledon is the only tournament where the Aussie reached the semifinals and the final.

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios (via X/The Tennis Letter)

But up against him was Novak Djokovic. Although Kyrgios was successful in taking the first set off the Serb, he ended up losing with a 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–3) scoreline. During an interview with The Guardian, Kyrgios said he doesn’t regret losing to the GOAT (greatest of all time).

Definitely. It was only a couple of points here and there where, if I’d acted a bit differently, I would have had a Wimbledon title. But there’s no shame in losing to the greatest of all time. Do I think about it often? Yes. Do I think about what I could have changed? Yes. Could I have prepared better? No. I prepared amazingly.

Kyrgios has met the 24-time Grand Slam champion thrice, winning two of those matches. The 30-year-old was on the sidelines for a long time and made his return to tennis after 18 months in this year’s Brisbane International.

After playing two more tournaments, Kyrgios was successful in securing his first win, in the Miami Open first round against America’s Mackenzie McDonald. He also paired up with Djokovic for doubles in Brisbane but they could win just one match.

Kyrgios will not be playing at Wimbledon due to an injury issue. Djokovic will be chasing his second title of the season in the tournament following his win at the Geneva Open. It was his 100th singles title, and this made him the third man after Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors to win 100 or more titles on the men’s tour.

Djokovic last lifted a Major at the 2023 US Open. Since then, he has progressed to just one final, in last year’s Wimbledon.

Also read: Roger Federer Reveals the Three Most Memorable Matches of his Illustrious Career