Roger Federer may have been one of the sporting world's great communicators over the last two decades but the Swiss confessed he had been dreading being handed a microphone after his glorious career came to a close at the Laver Cup on Friday.
'To be honest, the whole tournament I haven't really played close to my best. I didn't feel really myself on the court during this tournament. One can say semi-finals is a great result, of course, but I always expect the highest of myself.'
'From where I started, I was pretty proud of myself to be able to give myself another chance to be here, to qualify and play a second round. It's a good feeling.'
'I LOVE YOU, Roger. Thank you for everything you've done in tennis and with myself. Tennis world will never be the same without you.'
Federer, who looked dapper and a sure shot contender to play the next James Bond, caught up with fellow tennis legend, Williams -- in all her pregnant glory!
Certainly the prospect of another showdown at the US Open in a few weeks is exciting, but whether or not 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic can stretch his career long enough to battle Carlos Alcaraz on a regular basis is questionable.
'Rafael Nadal withdrew for personal reasons'
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was stopped by a security guard for not carrying his membership card.
Jannik Sinner has sprinted past opponents at the Australian Open in his quest for a maiden Grand Slam but could end up running a marathon in the final against Daniil Medvedev on Sunday, when Melbourne Park will crown a new king.
Another day, another milestone reached for Novak Djokovic as he racked up Grand Slam victory number 350.
With the Australian Open currently on, defending champion Novak Djokovic has once again been dubbed as a favourite to retain the title, and former world No. 17 Bernard Tomic of Australia firmly believes there will be no one to challenge the great Serbian.
Novak Djokovic described Carlos Alcaraz as like facing a blend of the big three -- himself, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.
Obviously there is a void that will never be filled, McEnroe told reporters
Andy Murray said he is hoping for a "special" final chance to share a court with Roger Federer at next week's Laver Cup in London and possibly team up to play doubles before the Swiss great retires from the sport.
'If I am given the ability to read minds, then definitely get into the mind of M S Dhoni.'
A look at Roger Federer's worst five Grand Slam losses.
Novak Djokovic produced a superhuman effort to subdue Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
'My family and I are horrified seeing pictures from Ukraine and heartbroken for the innocent people who have been so terribly affected. We stand for peace.'
Djokovic's sixth trophy this season helped him to extend his lead over the second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the race to the year-end number one spot
Croatia became the first team to win the mixed-gender team competition following the tournament's return to the tennis calendar after a four-year absence.
Grand Slam titles won by the men's 'Big Three' of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Sitting courtside, Rafael Nadal cried as his great rival, Roger Federer, bid an emotional farewell to tennis at the Laver Cup on Friday, later saying an important part of him was also leaving the men's Tour with the retirement of the Swiss.
Sachin Tendulkar's aura is being felt way beyond the cricket field with former England footballer Michael Owen congratulating the just-retired Indian icon for his "incredible career".
Jannik Sinner was not about to announce the end of the "Big Three" after his breakthrough Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open but the 22-year-old Italian does believe tennis needs a fresh generation of champions.
'It was very evident when we watched you play and the aura you brought on court is unmatchable.' 'And for me, you're always going to be the greatest of all time.'
Djokovic said the Spaniard remains his biggest rival.
'...but at the same time we were able to understand that personal relationships are more important than sometimes professional things.'
Some of the most iconic moments of Roger Federer's glittering career featured Rafael Nadal across the net but on Friday his great Spanish rival will be alongside him for his final bow.
The bull-like Alcaraz, playing only his second Grand Slam final compared to Djokovic's record 35, put on a show
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz opened his Wimbledon campaign in ruthless fashion by sending French veteran Jeremy Chardy into retirement with a 6-0 6-2 7-5 drubbing on Tuesday.
Fierce like firestorm yet soft like marshmallow: Federer and Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic's reign to usher in a new era at Wimbledon -- a win that was being trumpeted as the changing of the guard in men's tennis.
The pair faced each other 40 times over the last two decades in one of the sport's most enduring rivalries, with the Spaniard leading the head-to-head 24-16.
The last time the Swiss maestro was this far down in the ATP rankings was all the way back on January 2001, when Federer was just 19 years old. Notably, he was yet to win his first tour title.
Factbox on Carlos Alcaraz, who beat seven-time champion Novak Djokovic
Frances Tiafoe sealed Team World's first victory over Team Europe in the Laver Cup as he saved four match points on the way to beating Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
'He has left a huge legacy that will live for a very long time'
Even though Carlos Alcaraz recently dethroned him from the top of the world rankings, Novak Djokovic is still considered the man to beat and still has the power to turn opponents into nervous wrecks.
'If I stayed home, I would feel guilt. I was born here, my grandparents are buried here, and I would like to have a history to tell to my kids.'
Medvedev says all-conquering Djokovic is the 'greatest'
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