Laver Cup: Andy Murray hopes for last chance to play Roger Federer for Team Europe in London | Tennis News

Andy Murray is hoping he will get one last chance to play Roger Federer at next week’s Laver Cup.

Federer will make the final appearance of his professional career at the Ryder Cup-style event he invented, the tournament between Europe and the Rest of the World, at the O2 Arena in London.

Federer, Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were all part of the European team in what will now become a celebration of Federer’s illustrious career.

Murray, who is six years younger than the Swiss, played with him 25 times, during their first meeting in 2005.

Their most famous match was in 2012, when Murray lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final before beating him for Olympic gold on Center Court, while they also played finals at the Australian and US Opens. .

Murray said: “Obviously he’s a great player. I’m so lucky to have played with him in some of the biggest games, in the biggest tournaments, on the biggest stages in the sport. our sport.

“I probably didn’t appreciate it then but now, looking back, it was amazing. It’s unbelievable what he achieved and also what Rafa has achieved. [Nadal] and Novak [Djokovic] also completed.

“It’s been a sad, sad day for the sport. Unbelievable career, longevity he’s had. What he’s done. [at the 2017] Australian Open when he came back from knee surgery and it was unbelievable.

“The way he plays the game, runs himself and all that, I think all the players respect him for that. I’ll talk more about that. I’m sure within the week. to the Laver Cup.

“I don’t know how much he’ll be able to play. I haven’t talked to him about it yet. Maybe I have a chance to share a court with him in doubles or something like that. That would be really special.”

The Laver Cup would be a good choice for Murray after the disappointment of being knocked out of the Davis Cup by Great Britain early. Leon Smith’s side were favored over their group of four, especially with home advantage in Glasgow, but defeats to the US on Wednesday and the Netherlands on Friday ended their hopes.

Both relationships came to a decisive double rubber and both times Murray and Joe Salisbury were beaten in close encounters.

Murray has been accustomed to great Davis Cup nights for nearly two decades but this is a bitter pill to swallow, and it is ironic that the most disappointing campaign of Smith’s long tenure came when he has the greatest power in terms of its depth. disposal.

Murray, of course, carried the team in his glitz, but, with the transition from five rubbers to three rubbers, it became increasingly clear that finding a strong pair was a priority. He had four players in the world’s top 50 in doubles but no one played together, which resulted in third-placed Neal Skupski being left on the bench in place of Murray.

Whether the 35-year-old can play if the draw doesn’t come at home in Glasgow is now a moot point, and Smith could give him a singles hit in Sunday’s clash with Kazakhstan , it was a deadly match for both. teams have been eliminated.

This may be Murray’s last appearance in the Davis Cup, but he admits it will be a tough match to rise to.

“I have not met a player who likes to play dead games and dead games,” he said. “It’s hard to stay motivated. Obviously the way we’ve lost these two games makes it even more difficult.

“That’s what brings the energy and passion that I think from the fans and the players. I wish we were still alive on Sunday.”

Unless England are handed another wild card for the final 16 in next year’s competition, they will have to play the playoffs early in 2023, when 20-year-old Jack Draper could be enough to make his debut.