Tennis great Roger Federer says he does not miss tennis after putting his racquet aside late in 2022. The Swiss legend broke record after record during his long career, but he has truly left the game behind in his retirement.
After winning 20 Grand Slams, Federer called it a day in September of 2022, and since then, he has been catching up on family life and much more.
Asked by GQ if he misses playing, he simply responded: “Not really, actually.” He reasoned with a laugh: “My back was fine yesterday.”
Federer was then quizzed. on what he felt after retiring.”I’m really relieved, if that makes any sense,” he said. “I mean, the last few years have been tough with my knee. You could feel the end coming closer. So when it’s all said and done and you’re over the line and you’re retired officially, you take a deep breath and you’re like, ‘Wow, okay, that was good.’
“In the moment, it was suffering. Because I knew it was going to be hard. The moment of retirement in London, everything that led up to it. And then of course you have flashbacks a little bit later when you see highlights or people ask you, ‘How did you feel in that very moment?’ and they show you a highlight. You’re like, ‘Oh, my God, do I really have to see that again?'”
Opening up on his mindset in his life after tennis, the Swiss great added: “Good question. I feel…what do I feel? I feel minutes matter more now than before. I don’t know if it’s an age thing as well, as you get older, you feel like time’s running away from you and you still have a lot to accomplish, a lot to do.”
Federer enjoyed many incredible battles with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal during his career, and he must now watch on as the former, in particular, chases down many of his records.
Then again, the 42-year-old doesn’t watch all that much of the sport he mastered, or at least not live.
“I watch highlights,” he admitted. “A full match is hard for me to watch because I’m just too busy with children and running around. Maybe I watched one full, entire match last year.
“But other than that, it’s highlights and I check scores every day. I’m surprised actually. I thought I was just going to check out completely and not care so much, but I guess I still know too many players and I want to see how they do.”
Speaking about Djokovic and Nadal‘s achievements, he continued: “I mean, obviously you’re aware when they’re in the finals or you’re aware when Rafa comes back or you’re aware when Novak breaks another record. It’s all good, you know? But I will not set my schedule aside, like, well, This match I have to see.
“But obviously I’ve followed it and I love to see that, especially Novak’s been going from strength to strength. It keeps on going. And Rafa obviously, I felt sad for him that he has not been able to play nearly as much or at all to what he wanted to do.
“I hope that he can do what he wants to do in the summer, because even though I have a good feeling for him, and I know he pulled out of Indian Wells and Doha and all that stuff, but I still am very hopeful that he can get back on the train and ride it.”
