‘I am happy, not sad … always a team player at heart,’ Roger Federer in final post-match interview 

The Roger Federer era is officially over with the Swiss legend retiring from tennis at the age of 41.

Playing alongside long-time rival and friend Rafael Nadal in the men’s doubles at the Laver Cup 2022, Federer lost the final match of his career to US pair of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7(7)-6(2), 11-9. 

However, it mattered little to the packed crowd at the O2 Arena in London that witnessed the first man to win 20 Grand Slams walk into the sunset after dominating tennis for over two decades. 

Federer later appeared for his final on-court interview with former world No. 1 Jim Courier.

Here is the full transcript of the interview.

Roger Federer: It has been a wonderful day. I told the guys, ‘I’m happy. I’m not sad.’ So, it feels great to be here.

I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time and everything was the last time. Funny enough with all the matches and having the guys and being here among fans, family, friends... I didn’t feel the stress so much even though I did think something was going to go wrong - pop a calf or block a back or something in the match.

I am so happy I made it through and the match was great. I couldn’t be happier. It’s been wonderful. (crowd cheers)

And of course, playing with Rafael Nadal on the same team and having the guys, everybody here, all the legends - Rocket (Rod Laver), Edberg Stefan, thank you!

Jim Courier: You have created so much history in this sport. You have really done so much. So much of it has happened and it’s beautiful that it’s happened with guys on the bench with you here. How special is it to not just have Rafa, Andy (Murray) and Novak (Djokovic), but all the guys, who are here to support you on this special night? They are here with you wearing the same uniform. That’s got to be pretty sweet.

Roger Federer: It is amazing. It really is. I didn’t want it to feel lonely out there. I felt lonely for a second when they told me to go out or you (Courier) want me to come out one more time.

I feel great. But to be saying goodbye to a team; I always felt that I was a team player at heart. Singles doesn’t really do that a whole lot, but I have had a team, you know, that travelled with me around the world. It’s been amazing with them. So, thanks to everybody who made it work for so many years.

And then of course being on the team with Andy, Thomas (Enqvist), Novak, Matteo (Berrettini), Cam (Bjorn Borg), Stefanos (Tsitsipas), Rafa and Casper (Ruud) and also the guys on the other team. You guys are unbelievable. It’s been a pleasure playing all these Laver Cups.  

And it does feel like a celebration to me. I wanted to feel like this at the end, and it’s exactly what I hoped for so thank you. 

Jim Courier: It’s been an amazing ride. It’s been incredible to watch this journey that you have been on. It started as a boy playing tennis. You turned into a junior champion, then a world champion, and then you became a sporting icon. What has that journey been like for you? 

Roger Federer: It was never supposed to be that way. I was just happy to play tennis and spend time with my friends, really. And then I ended up here. It’s been a perfect journey. I would do it all over again. (breaks down as crowd cheers) 

It’s been great. It’s been so much fun. It’s been amazing. Thank you, everybody. I’ve had so many people cheer me on, and you guys here tonight mean the world.

Courier: You have always had the fans wherever you go, you’ve always been the home team and Roger, it’s your name on the trophies, it’s your name all across the record books. But you didn’t do it by yourself. You had a great team behind you all the way. You had your family behind you all the way. How much did their support help you get right? 

Roger Federer: Yeah, I mean... Do we have to go there? (smiles) 

Jim Courier: No, I have got more questions... We can move on.

Roger Federer: No, it’s okay. I have done okay so far, I feel. At least, I am able to talk. In my vision, I was never able to talk, so... I am doing way better.

And everybody is here tonight... my family, so it’s great. I had so much fun over the last 13 years. Everybody’s here - the girls, the boys (Myla Rose, Charlene Riva, Leo and Lenny). My wife is so supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago. But ‘you’ didn’t, she kept me going and allowed me to play. So, it’s amazing. Thank you!

And then I don’t know… I find that always funny. We always blame my mom for everything because without her I wouldn’t be here, of course. So, thanks to my parents, you have been amazing. Thank you!

And just everybody. Too many people to thank... it’s just been incredible. My God. Fantastic night. Thank you, everybody!

Jim Courier: Roger, You have done so much. We have loved watching every minute of it. You are 41, you have got a lot of open road with your family and all of your adventures. Stay in touch. We’re going to miss you, ladies and gentlemen, Roger Federer! 

Roger Federer: Thank you, everybody. Thank you. It’s been an amazing journey. Thank you, everybody!