Roger Federer has jokingly teased a potential return to the Laver Cup squad.
The retired Swiss star co-created the team tournament seven years ago and was a member of Team Europe four times.
Now back to enjoy tennis and complete his behind-the-scenes duties, Federer said he might speak to captain Bjorn Borg about getting back on the match court.
Ahead of the Laver Cup, Federer got back out on the court for a Wilson event. The 20-time Grand Slam champion rallied with different rackets and joked that he could be good enough to make it back on Team Europe.
“Enjoying my slice. Still got it maybe,” he said. When the others agreed, Federer laughed and quipped: “Be careful, don’t give me too many compliments or I’ll speak to Bjorn.”
The presenter for the sponsored event gave Federer an idea, adding: “Maybe [you can be] the alternate, come in.”
The last time Federer was seen on the Laver Cup’s famous black court, he was ending his career. In 2022, the former world No. 1 had his last dance at the team event when it was staged in London’s O2 Arena.
At the time, Federer hadn’t played a professional match in 14 months. He came out for the doubles alongsideRafael Nadal, where they lost to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in a match tiebreak.
The Swiss star isn’t the only one who will have a Laver Cup goodbye. Current team captains, Borg and John McEnroe, will be stepping down after this year. Yannick Noah will be the new leader of Team Europe while Andre Agassi will take on the role in Team World.
And Federer is hoping Borg and McEnroe can join him in the stands next year. “Hopefully they will be able to spend more time away from the court, like me now,” he said.
“I will have time to spend with them in the lounges or then maybe watching some matches together. I would love that in the future down the road, maybe in San Francisco, so forth.”