Roger Federer opens up on EMOTIONAL reasons on why he is yet to say goodbye to his one special tournament ahead of Wimbledon

The Swiss tennis legend retired from the sport at the 2022 Laver Cup.

Roger Federer opens up on EMOTIONAL reasons on why he is yet to say goodbye to his one special tournament ahead of Wimbledon

Roger Federer (Image Source: Swiss Indoors)

Roger Federer had an emotional farewell at the Laver Cup last year, where he paired up with Rafael Nadal in his last competitive match. Now, in a recent conversation, the 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed why he chose to not receive a farewell at his home tournament in Basel.

The ATP tournament in Basel takes place every October, and there are many questions related to the timing of Federer‘s retirement. However, the Swiss maestro reveals that playing his last match on his home turf would have been too much for him, hence he chose to retire at the Laver Cup.

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Roger Federer started out as a ball boy at the Basel Open and has won the tournament on 10 occasions. Hence, given the memories associated with the tournament, the Swiss believes that the moment could have easily overwhelmed him. “I don’t think I would be able to do it emotionally. The more I think back to when I was a ballboy, to 2019 when I won my last tournament, the more I feel like it was already a fairy tale,” said Federer to BZ Basel.

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Roger Federer believes that the Basel Open journey has already been a fairytale

Roger Federer (Source: Wimbledon)
Roger Federer (Image Source: Wimbledon)

Federer had no regrets over not receiving a farewell at the Basel Open, given that he believes it has already been some sort of fairytale. Prior to announcing his retirement, Roger Federer had stated that he would compete in his home tournament last year.

However, the veteran changed his decision, as he decided to put an end to his career at the Laver Cup. He first claimed the Basel Open title in 2006, winning it for three successive years until 2008. He claimed his last Swiss Indoors title in 2019 when he defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets in the finals.

The 2019 trophy presentation ceremony was certainly a very emotional one for Roger Federer and his team. Fans were surprised when the former Swiss tennis player decided to retire at the Laver Cup, and not at his home tournament in Basel. However, Federer’s explanation and his emotional reaction to winning the title in 2019 sums up the reasons why he avoided a very overwhelming situation at the Basel Open.

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