The Masters 1000 in Shanghai ended with a victory for Jannik Sinner against Novak Djokovic in a nice final. Among the other reasons for interest in the Chinese tournament – always very appreciated by the players – there was also the presence of Roger Federer. The former Swiss champion arrived in China in the last days of the tournament, took part in a performance and some initiatives with his sponsors, before attending the semi-finals and the final.
His presence made the fans very happy, who did not stop loving him even after his retirement in 2022. The former world number 1 has remained in close contact with tennis over the past two years, although he loves spending more time with his family and does not have an official role within the professional tour.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion has not organized any exhibition match with his old rivals, probably due to the poor condition of his knee. The Swiss Maestro has had several surgeries in his later years but he was unable to get back on track and compete on the ATP tour. Federer saluted professional tennis at the 2022 edition of the Laver Cup, where he played his doubles match alongside Rafael Nadal at the O2 Arena in London.
A little gift
During his stay in Shanghai, the King had time to spend with Carlos Alcaraz and his team. Roger and Carlitos – who had already spoken a lot during the Laver Cup in Berlin a month ago – watched together the final between Sinner and Djokovic with the presence of Juan Carlos Ferrero at their side. The 20-time Grand Slam champion also organized a small practice session with Carlos and his brother Alvaro. In the last few hours, Alvaro Alcaraz has published on his social networks a couple of pictures of his practical session with the Swiss legend.
Alvaro Alcaraz hits with Roger Federer in Shanghai.
“My dream come true… 🎾🥲” 🥺 pic.twitter.com/OSkWXkitCx
— Carlos Alcaraz Daily (@alcarazdaily) October 16, 2024
Excited by Federer’s presence in the stands, World No.1 Jannik Sinner – who won the Shanghai tournament losing a single set during his run – reflected on the legacy of the Big 3: “What they have done in the last years has been amazing. There are not so many things to say about pressure, the pressure is always going to be there. But, you know, talking from my side, I think about myself, what I have to do on the court, what I have to improve, and that hopefully makes it better as a player, and also a consistent player.
They have been very consistent throughout the years and years and years. There’s not only been one season or two seasons, they made it for 15 years. So, it’s amazing what they have achieved, what they have done. There are a lot of things what we can take from them. We cannot compare us with them, you know, that’s impossible, especially in this moment now. I think we all were very lucky to see the Big Three, you know, playing tennis. And I consider myself very lucky to get to know them also as a person and, you know, to learn from them, and, yeah, I think that’s it.”
The Big 3’s era is over
In 2025, Novak Djokovic will be the only Big 3 still in action on the professional tour. The Serbian legend is motivated to continue playing despite the rise of several young champions. The 37-year-old from Belgrade has not won a single Grand Slam title this year, but he did win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
In an interview with Eurosport, former ATP ace Mats Wilander praised Djokovic’s legacy vs. Federer and Nadal’s: ”I think Novak will feel so proud. I mean, sad in a way, but he lived through the storm. Yes, he’s younger than both Roger and Rafa, and Andy Murray and him, I think, are the same age or pretty close, but he survived it all.
He is the winningest male tennis player ever. I think he would just be proud. I think he sees it more than anyone, the effect that Federer and Nadal have had on Alcaraz and Sinner and the guys behind him. I think Novak has felt the effect of the big two, Rafa and Roger, more than any player. That’s going to make him feel so good because he was part of that. And the effect of Novak is very clear when it comes to the physicality of all the players today.” Tennis is in good hands thanks to Jannik Sinner and Carlitos Alcaraz, who are set to take tennis into a new dimension in the coming years. The two young champions have already faced each other many times and their matches were always full of emotions.