FILE – Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal pose during a European squad training session ahead of the 2022 Laver Cup at The O2 Arena in London on September 22, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK/ AFP)
Roger Federer on Wednesday called Novak Djokovic’s record 23rd Grand Slam title “incredible” but avoided naming his former rival as the greatest player of all time.
“I think what Novak has done is amazing,” said Federer, who racked up 20 Grand Slams before retiring last year.
Djokovic edged out 22-time major winner Rafael Nadal when he won his third French Open in Paris earlier this month.
Federer, 41, speaking at the Halle grass court tournament on Wednesday, however admitted it was “difficult to say” who was the best player of all time.
“It’s hard to answer this whole question,” Federer said. “I asked a friend, which is more difficult, winning Wimbledon at 17, like Boris Becker, or Roland-Garros at 36 like Novak?”
“I don’t know. It’s a good time to be a tennis fan but also a player,” added the Swiss great who was the guest of honor in Halle for “Roger Federer Day”.
“It means a lot to me,” Federer said of his return to Halle, where he won a record 10 singles titles.
“Of course, I’m delighted. I was able to shape this tournament myself with so many wins. It’s like a home away from home.
Federer spent more than an hour signing autographs and posing for selfies on Center Court in the sunshine, but said he didn’t miss being in the heat of the moment.
“Of course you want to relive that. But as long as you know your body can’t do it at that level, you don’t feel the need to be on the court,” he said.
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