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Behind the Laver Cup there is a head that stands out above the rest: that of Roger Federer. Although it is a joint project of Team 8 (the company created by the Swiss, Tony Godsick, Ian McKinnon and Dirk Ziff that manages athletes and top-level events), the reality is that the mother soul is the 20-time Grand Champion.
Slam. Beyond the doubts that the tournament raised in the beginning, it was establishing itself as an obligatory stop on the calendar to bring the best players on the circuit and face Team Europe against Team World. Not an easy challenge due to the obvious differences in ranking between the two sides.
However, each year it grows a little and catches more public. Indeed, Federer told in an interview with the television network CNBC the reason for the realization of an exhibition in a calendar so saturated with championships and in the middle of a request by the tennis players themselves to reduce the competition time.
"On a trip to Shanghai with Tony (Godsick), the idea came up to do something for the legacy of the game and incorporate emerging young people to learn from the best such as John (McEnroe) and Björn (Borg)," he said. in words collected by Tennis.com.
Federer on how happy everyone is to see him in Boston
Roger Federer's appearance in Boston came as a surprise to many, given that he was expected to remain at home and continue his rehabilitation process. During his conversation with Courier, Federer explained why he kept his visit a secret, revealing that his physical condition had added an air of uncertainty.
"Not too long ago I wasn't sure if I was gonna make it," Federer said. "And then we thought we keep it real nice and quiet that I'm coming. Because then, I don't know, everybody will be more even more pumped up that I made the trip.
I just didn't think I was gonna make it with the crutches and all that." Federer asserted that people are not giving much attention to his crutches lest they dampen the mood. "But the reception I received, and everybody is so upbeat that I'm here," Federer said.
"And they wish me all the best and they don't even see the crutches. (They only see) that I just want me to be good again and enjoy the weekend enough. I saw some incredible tennis some great matches and it's been been wonderful," he added. "I'm really happy I made it."