TOPSHOT – Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) pats Switzerland's Roger Federer after his victory throughout their males's singles semi-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis match in Melbourne on January 30, 2020. (Picture by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Picture by DAVID GRAY/AFP through Getty Pictures)
AFP through Getty Pictures
Neither Novak Djokovic nor Rafael Nadal attended Roger Federer’s official induction into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame on Saturday in Newport, R.I.
Djokovic, 39, is taking part in his first-round match on the U.S. Open Sunday evening on Arthur Ashe Stadium whereas Nadal, Federer’s biggest rival, was additionally not there. Stan Wawrinka, Federer’s Swiss countryman, was additionally absent from the ceremony forward of his first-round match on the U.S. Open on Monday.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, "The Large 3” of males’s tennis, together with Andy Murray as a part of “The Large 4,” dominated the game for twenty years, with Djokovic (24 and counting), Nadal (22) and Federer (20) every successful 20+ Slams.
Djokovic despatched a message congratulating Federer on his inevitable induction.
“Roger, congratulations on your [induction] to the Corridor of Fame,” c, who led Federer 27-23 of their head-to-head, mentioned in a tribute video. “All of us knew at the present time was going to return ultimately, and I don’t assume anyone deserves this greater than you.”
Federer spent 310 weeks atop the ATP Rankings and received Wimbledon a report eight instances throughout his profession.
“What you’ve achieved, what you represented and nonetheless symbolize for the game of tennis and sport typically is one thing actually unimaginable and memorable,” the Serbian mentioned. “Thanks for being such an excellent ambassador for our sport. Hopefully you’ll have a tremendous day with your loved ones, celebrating your superb profession.”
Per tennis historian Steve Flink, it is not uncommon for rivals not to point out up when their foes are inducted into the Corridor of Fame.
“In the event you take a look at different ceremonies, hardly ever do rivals present up,” Flink mentioned. “Rafa and Novak coming [for Federer] is unrealistic. [Andre] Agassi and [Pete] Sampras didn’t attend one another’s ceremonies. Chrissie [Evert] and Martina [Navratilova] didn’t both.”
Meantime, two different gamers whose respective careers crossed over with a lot of Federer’s additionally despatched congratulatory messages, 39-year-old Gael Monfils and 35-year-old Grigor Dimitrov.
DELHI, INDIA – DECEMBER 08: Roger Federer of the Indian Aces celebrates match level together with his doubles associate and staff mate Gael Monfils after their victory towards Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic of the UAE Royals through the Coca-Cola Worldwide Premier Tennis League third leg on the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium December 8, 2014 in Delhi, Delhi. (Picture by Clive Brunskill/Getty Pictures for IPTL 2014)
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Monfils, who will himself retire this yr, light Federer 14 instances between 2006-19, with Federer proudly owning a 10-4 head-to-head.
“You’ve been such a giant legend and undoubtedly impressed so many individuals, myself as properly,” d. “Simply get pleasure from and I’ll see you very quickly on the golf course.”
Dimitrov, who was nicknamed “Child Fed” early in his profession and went 1-7 vs. Federer, added: “To me, you’ve at all times been a Corridor of Famer, I feel since day one after I noticed you play. An incredible instance, on and off the court docket, and actually an inspiration of mine.
“I really feel we’ve had so many good reminiscences, on and off the court docket, and it goes again to once we performed an exhibition at Madison Sq. Backyard and flew collectively to Indian Wells. I bear in mind studying on your little women after they had been younger, so I’ve at all times felt very embraced from you and your entire household.”
Federer spent a report 237 consecutive weeks as World No. 1 from 2004-08, however received his remaining main on the 2018 Australian Open when a brand new era was developing. He additionally reached the 2019 Wimbledon remaining, famously dropping to Djokovic after holding double-match level.
“I used to be personally very fortunate to be invited after I was 17 to apply with you and we had a good time,” mentioned Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime, the No. 3 seed on the Open. “I discovered loads and through the years you’ve at all times been excellent with sharing with the youthful era, so I need to thanks for that personally. Thanks for every thing you probably did for our sport, thanks for rising it, and thanks for all of the highlights and scorching photographs that you simply produced through the years.”
French Open champ and high seed on the Open v added: “Roger, what a shock you’ve made it to the Corridor of Fame!… You had been the participant I used to be at all times trying as much as after I was rising up and favorite participant to look at. To then in fact competing towards one another, it was at all times enjoyable to be on court docket with you and spending time outdoors the court docket with you as properly. I’m very comfortable for you and congratulations once more for being within the Corridor of Fame.”
v, who didn’t beat Federer of their three tour-level conferences however joined him as a member of the ATP No. 1 Membership in 2022, jokingly recalled one time he was comfortable NOT to have performed the Swiss.
“Congrats on being inducted to the Corridor of Fame,” Medvedev mentioned, talking on the n. “I feel no shock to anybody! Since I’m in Cincinnati doing this message, thanks loads for dropping to v right here as soon as and giving me the possibility to win my first Masters 1000 title. Thanks very a lot, I recognize it!”
This text was initially revealed on m
