Roger Federer recently discussed his life after retiring from professional tennis and touched on the possibility of becoming team captain at the Laver Cup.
Federer, 42, is undoubtedly the most recognizable figure in tennis. He won 103 career titles (second-most by an ATP player in the Open Era), including 20 Grand Slams. Federer also earned over $100 million in prize money during his illustrious playing career spanning nearly three decades.
Even after hanging up his racket for good in 2022, Federer continues to etch his name among the highest-paid athletes every year. For instance, in the period between May 2022 and May 2023, he raked in an astounding $95.1 million despite only playing one professional tennis match.
His brand is magnetic. Federer has scrapped any plans of ever making a tennis return, although he is closely associated with the Laver Cup, a tournament he helped co-found several years ago and in which he takes an active part but not in a playing role.
In an interview with Tages-Anzaiger, the Swiss legend spoke to Simon Graf and explained that adjusting to life after tennis was a gradual process after enduring knee pain in the final stages of his career, which required surgery. However, the 42-year-old is content with the current phase of his life.
"Life is great. I am very happy. The transition from an active career to life afterward was quite an adjustment, even if everything happened rather softly. I had been injured a lot in previous years and everything was already going slower. Added to this was the pandemic."
The Laver Cup will return to Europe this year at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Germany, and the prospect of Federer potentially serving as a team captain is an idea that has been going on for some time since his official retirement.
The Swiss stated he intends to take up that mantle when the time comes, but for now, he believes it should be reserved for the older and more deserving generation within the 50-65 age bracket.
"I see myself as a team captain one day, but I would like to see someone in this position who belongs to the generation after Rod Laver. Someone in the 50 to 65 age group. These guys deserve it first, before it's my turn."
Federer was in Vancouver this past year to oversee another instalment of the Laver Cup. Team World secured a successful title defense of the tournament. In response, he has already acquired the services of World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz for the 2024 edition to spearhead Team Europe's bid for revenge.
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