‘I won’t be a ghost’ – Roger Federer insists he will remain part of tennis world after retirement

Roger Federer has told fans that he will not be “a ghost” and remain part of the tennis world as he prepares to retire from the sport.

Federer has not played competitively since Wimbledon last year after undergoing season-ending knee surgery at the end of last summer, and announced his decision to retire last week.

The 41-year-old insists, though, that while the Laver Cup will be his final appearance on the tour, he hopes to remain involved in the sport – even if he is not yet sure in what capacity that will be.

“I just want to let the fans know that I won’t be a ghost,” Federer said ahead of the competition.

“It’s funny, I talked about [Team Europe captain] Bjorn Borg before, and I don’t think he returned to Wimbledon for 25 years [after he retired].

“Totally acceptable – his life, his reasons. I don’t think I’ll be that guy.

“Tennis has given me too much, I’ve been around the game for too long, fallen in love with too many things.

“I love seeing people again and that is what I want to let the fans know – you will see me again. In what capacity, I don’t know. I still have to think about it a little bit.”

Federer will play just a sole doubles match at the Laver Cup as he prepares to return to court after more than a year out of action.

Laver Cup rules suggest that every player should compete in at least one singles match during the first two days of play.

That necessitated talks with Borg, tournament organisers and Borg’s Team World counterpart, John McEnroe, to get the necessary approvals to allow Federer to bow out as he wished.

“This is an ATP event that I don’t want to mess with,” Federer said ahead his return from injury. “But at the same time I know my limitations.

“That is why I asked Bjorn [Borg] if it was okay if I just played one doubles [match]. I guess Matteo [Berrettini] would come in and have to play for me on Saturday.

“Bjorn spoke to John [McEnroe], the tournament and the ATP, [asking] if that is ok and everyone said that is fine.

“So here I am trying to prepare for one last doubles. We will see who it is with.

“I’m nervous going in because I haven’t played in so long. I hope I can be somewhat competitive.”

Borg is yet to confirm his line-up for the opening day of action in London.

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