Novak Djokovic on Roger Federer's farewell: 'It's one of the most beautiful moments of my life'

To say the least Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have been rivals for the past fifteen years.

Between the Swiss and the Serb, a form of animosity was even sometimes palpable, when the Federer-Nadal rivalry was imbued with mutual respect.

Eclipsed Friday evening by the tears of emotion of Federer and Nadal, associated in double for the last outing of the Swiss, Djoko did not fail to express his feelings for the Swiss, and very warmly.

After an expeditious 6-1, 6-3 victory over American Frances Tiafoe on Saturday night, Djokovic spoke on the court and described the moment he experienced the day before, in the front row on the bench of the Team Europe, while the “Fedal” pair were playing their last doubles match.

“I think we will all agree that it was probably one of the most beautiful moments that the public could experience, whether on television or on a tennis court, launched the Serb to the 21 Majors (against 20 to Federer and 22 to Nadal).

We all suspected that it was going to be a great moment of emotion.

We were all overwhelmed…”

Novak Djokovic on the emotion last night: "It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. The most emotional was when his children came and I saw them crying. Sorry Roger, I don't want to do you again cry but it was a beautiful moment." pic.twitter.com/4hnZrTS9nf

— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) September 24, 2022

Djoko confessed that he did not know which foot to dance on: “Inevitably, these are mixed emotions because there is a bit of sadness to see one of the greatest sportsmen of all time leaving the sport, this sport we love so much, tennis.

But at the same time, we saw him happy.

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"I don't want to make you cry again"

After which, Djokovic, still very comfortable with the microphone, said how much Federer meant to him: "I felt really grateful and privileged to have been there by his side with the members of Team Europe. .

It is one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

I can only speak for myself, but the tears came to me and then when I saw them crying too... I don't want to make you cry again Roger, but it was truly a beautiful moment.

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The rivalry between Djokovic and Federer was even richer than between Nadal and Federer - 40 games, 24-16 in favor of the Spaniard.

The Serb and the Swiss have played 50 matches, 27 of which are for Djoko.

In Grand Slam, the latter won 11 times out of 17 games.

But far from driving a wedge between those involved, it would rather tend to bring them closer together.

“I understand and I have empathy for Roger, because I know the sacrifices you have to make to be at this level, Djokovic said again.

You take all the credit when you win, all the responsibility when you lose, and it's impossible to do all of this without the support of those closest to you.

But here, I talk a little too much.

I witnessed something unique … ” For any response from the bench of Team Europe, Federer let him know that he had appreciated, thumbs up.