As Roger Federer prepares for his final match, his Laver Cup tweet reminds fans of what they're about to lose — so who of the next generation will keep fans enthralled?
abc.net.au/news/roger-federer-tweets-ahead-of-retirement-in-laver-cup/101467788Roger Federer was paying attention right along with everybody else when Serena Williams played what is expected to have been her last match three weeks ago at the US Open.
Roger Federer will retire after playing doubles with Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup on Saturday morning The Swiss legend says Spain's Carlos Alcaraz is one player who could fill the boots of the retiring champs "Not surprised. Just very similar to me, in many ways. We were expecting it to come at some point," Federer said.He recognises that their back-to-back exits after about a quarter-century each in tennis — he is 41 and leaves with 20 grand slam titles and she turns 41 on Monday and has 23 major singles championships — will spur some fans to move on from the sport."It's going to leave some fans with not the same taste for the game," Federer said in an interview at the Laver Cup, where the final match of his stellar career will be in doubles alongside rival Rafael Nadal for Team Europe about 5am AEST on Saturday. "We might lose some, because they say, 'OK, well that chapter for me closes, and I'll move on to another sport or another athlete.' "And some will stay with the game forever, because tennis is just a sport [that], once you're in it, you're normally in it. That's why I don't believe a lot of people will leave."Tweeting from the Thames in London, Federer wrote: "Heading to dinner with some friends", taking a selfie alongside Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray ahead of the Laver Cup.Federer and Williams — along with Nadal, a 36-year-old who has a men's record 22 slam titles, and Djokovic, a 35-year-old with 21 titles — helped create a golden era in the sport, drawing new viewers and inspiring new players. "Serena and Roger probably have more fans than anybody in tennis," said Taylor Fritz, a 24-year-old who is the highest-ranked American man, at number 12, and a part of Team World in London. "It's tough to replace two people as iconic as them, but I still think there is a lot of exciting times ahead.""These two players are irreplaceable. I don't think there is any question about that," said John McEnroe, who won seven major trophies from 1979 to 1984.Which is why Federer is among those optimistic about the future."And it will always create new superstars." Federer thinks highlight-reel shots that make their way around on social media can help. So can the telling of each new top player's "captivating story".Federer believes Carlos Alcaraz is one player who could step into the boots of retiring superstars.
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