Federer has been intrinsically involved with Laver Cup from its inception. He fretted in Prague the first year when he was not sure that fans would show up for the first match at 11 a.m. (the arena ended up being packed). He worried when Nadal hurt himself and pulled out on the last day in Geneva in 2019 and then had to deal with an irate John McEnroe, who wanted to make his own last-minute player substitutions. But mostly he had fun when he got to play doubles with Nadal for the only time in their careers.
“Of course, the doubles with Rafa was truly special because there was so much hype that came before it,” Federer said of the match in Prague in 2017. They beat the Americans Jack Sock and Sam Querrey 6-4, 1-6, 10-5.
For Federer, the real allure of the Laver Cup is the camaraderie among players, who usually stare at each other across the net rather than sit side by side on comfortable benches. Even as his playing days wind down, Federer is sure he will continue to support the event.
“I definitely see myself being involved,” he said. “I’d love to be the captain one day. I think it’s a beautiful way of getting the rivals to coexist for a week together. It really is truly fun and cool to share the locker room with these guys who you usually share it with, but don’t talk tactics and see how everybody prepares and actually support one another. Normally you don’t cheer against each other, but you don’t really mind if they win or lose. This time it’s very different.”
And as for having the game’s past champions, including the 83-year-old Laver, attend each year, that is what Federer wants.
“This event is a get-together,” Federer said. “That’s what I wanted it to be. It’s the wisdom, the stories, having legends tell stories to the younger generation. I’m happy being on those teams, listening to Bjorn, seeing John, seeing Rocket [Laver] and watching the youngsters learn from the elders. It’s passing down the wisdom.”