One year after his last match, Federer returns to the Laver Cup… but not as a player

With just over a month to go before the Laver Cup, the sixth edition of which will be held from September 22 to 24 in Vancouver, Canada, Roger Federer has activated the “promotion mode” of the event he himself created, with his management agency Team 8, in 2017. Via a post on social networks, the Swiss announced on Tuesday his event presence on the first day, in commemoration of the first anniversary of his retirement, made official last year.

On September 23, 2022, the man with 20 Grand Slam titles, now aged 42, celebrated the end of his player career at the Laver Cup in London’s O2 Arena, taking part in a doubles match alongside his eternal rival and friend Rafael Nadal. For the record, the two legends lost out to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.

Tsitsipas, Rune, Fritz and Auger-Aliassime announced for Vancouver

On Friday September 22, Federer will once again set foot on the Laver Cup’s famous black court. But, rest assured, it won’t be as a player: he’ll be making the draw for the last match of the first day, before returning after the match for an interactive interview with Jim Courier, during which spectators will be able to submit questions to him. Two spectators will be randomly selected for the chance to meet him in person.

Roger Federer will take center court in Vancouver for a special Q&A during the evening session on Friday, September 22, honoring the anniversary of his last competitive match.

Plus, 2 lucky fans at each session will have the opportunity to meet Federer. https://t.co/VJrRfafUEC pic.twitter.com/VTv9TbYIyc

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) August 15, 2023

“I will miss the Laver Cup a lot as a player, and with this last match also played with Rafa, on court with Novak, Andy and everybody there to celebrate my career, will remain a very beautiful moment in my career,” said Federer in his social media post. I’m really looking forward to Vancouver, I’ve only heard greatthings about the city.”

Vancouver will be the host city for a 6th edition that looks balanced on paper: without the Big Three, Europe will be led by Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev. The defending World champions will be led by Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Felix Auger-Aliassime. There will be further announcements from their respective captains, Björn Borg and John McEnroe.

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