“To end his career”- Nikolay Davydenko gives a worrying prediction about Roger Federer’s retirement


“To end his career”- Nikolay Davydenko gives a worrying prediction about Roger Federer’s retirement

Nikolay Davydenko and Roger Federer

Nikolay Davydenko, a former World No. 3, recently gave an interview in which he discussed a handful of his opponents, including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Roger Federer, the ‘Swiss Maestro’, is also one of them.

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Throughout his career, the Russian ran into Federer multiple times. Regrettably, Federer dominated the rivalry, going 19-2.

Also Read: “I could not gain any control” Nikolay Davydenko calls Roger Federer his ‘toughest opponent’

“I think he is playing in Basel to finish his career there”- Nikolay Davydenko on Roger Federer’s retirement

Nikolay Davydenko and Roger Federer
Nikolay Davydenko and Roger Federer

The Russian offered his thoughts on the past, present, and future of tennis in an interview with CLAY. The former tennis player believes Roger Federer’s return to action this year at the Swiss indoors will be his final match, as the Swiss may declare his retirement, ending an illustrious career that spanned more than two decades.

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“I think he is playing in Basel to finish his career there. That’s my opinion. Federer was my toughest opponent. Why? Because his forehand was extremely fast and his serve was very accurate, I could not gain any sort of control against him,” Davydenko said.

The former World No. 3 also recalled his two victories over Federer, the first of which came in the 2009 ATP Finals semifinals in London. “I had so many opportunities against Federer, but he was always a much better player near the end of the sets. I had set points, I made it into the tiebreaks, but then I was always losing. Not in London. That time, I felt like it was my time to beat him, and I got lucky a bit as well,” Nikolay Davydenko said.

When it came to facing Roger Federer, the Russian star said that he did struggle mentally. He also confessed that his 2009 victory provided him with the mental lift he needed to defeat the 20-time Grand Slam champion once more. “My mentality changed after that, so I beat him easily in Doha in our next match as well. That time, I felt like I could beat him, it is no secret that I had a problem mentally when facing Federer.”

Also Read: “I can’t compare myself to them” Matteo Berrettini humbly denies comparison to the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after reaching a 4th consecutive grass-court Final

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Also Read: “He wants to win a few more Slams”- Nikolay Davydenko believes Novak Djokovic has a good chance of winning the Wimbledon and the US Open