I would love to have my biggest rivals and competitors there: Novak Djokovic hopes for a similar farewell as Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic was recently part of Team Europe in the Laver Cup, which saw Roger Federer playing his farewell match with Rafael Nadal against the American duo of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. Djokovic was all there for Federer in his emotional farewell to the game and was seen initiating memorable gesture toward Federer as all the players lifted him up.

The Serbian admitted that he got emotional when he saw Federer tearing up with his children during the ceremony. Djokovic also wants his biggest rivals and competitors to be there when he calls it a day from the sport.

”It was a very touching, emotional moment,” Djokovic told reporters in Tel Aviv, where he will play an ATP 250.

”Seeing his kids and his family, it got me emotional as well. I also must say I was thinking about how it would look for me when I say goodbye to tennis.

”I would love to have my biggest rivals and competitors there. Because it added something more special, added more importance to that moment,” Djokovic said.

With Federer now retired, Djokovic also shed light on his epic rivalry with Rafael Nadal. Djokovic holds a 30-29 advantage against the Spaniard. Djokovic leads 15–13 in finals of all levels, while Nadal leads 11–7 at majors. Both of them have played each other on one occasion in 2022 and Nadal won that contest in four sets in the Roland Garros quarterfinals.

”We played the most matches against each other of any rivalry in the history of tennis”, he pointed out to reporters at his pre-tournament press conference.

”The rivalry is special and keeps going. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to play against each other more times.”

Djokovic will face Pablo Andújar in the opening round of Tel Aviv Watergen Open.