“I want to see him lit, but I’m not going to apologize to him” – Tiafoe on beating Federer

American Frances Tiafoe has said he would not apologize to Roger Federer for beating him in theSwiss legend’s final match at the Laver Cup on Friday.

Tiafoe partnered with Jack Sock to beat Federer and Rafael Nadal 4-6, 7-6, 11-9 at the O2 Arena in London on the opening day of the 2022 Laver Cup. Federer had announced prior to the match that it would be the final time he plays before hanging up his racquet for the tour.

That win helped Team World win their first ever Laver Cup on Sunday and Tiafoe, who won the clinching match on Sunday over Stefanos Tsitsipas was asked in the press if he felt bad about playing spoilsport at Federer’s swansong.

“Absolutely not. I want to see him lit, but I’m not going to apologize to him,” Federer said. “He’s got a lot to apologize after the last 24 years after beating everybody on the tour.”

“No, I won’t apologize, but I will say thank you for having me in this amazing event, what he’s done for the game, also say thank you for what he did for the game. He’s a class act. Happy to know him, happy to call him friend, happy to call him a colleague, and best wishes in his second act. But I will not apologize.”

Federer is a stand-up guy. He’s an even better person than a tennis player – Tiafoe

Earlier in the tournament, Tiafoe said Federer would be dearly missed on the tour and called the Swiss a legend, an inspiration and an unbelievable ambassador in the sport.

“The result when playing him was irrelevant,” Tiafoe said. “Just to be across the net from him that day, that’s what mattered. Tennis won that night. Playing him was unbelievable. He’s such an inspiration to this game, unbelievable ambassador we’ve had for 20-plus years. We’re all going to miss him. He’s a stand-up guy. He’s an even better person than a tennis player. Hats off to him, we’re going to miss him dearly. I’m not going to miss him beating everyone and myself at Grand Slams. Legends never die.”

You might also like this

“I hope I didn’t make the team lose” – Despite Federer’s words, his farewell was anything but a loss

tennis majors

Sensational Tiafoe beats Tsitsipas to give Team World first ever Laver Cup victory

tennis majors

Tiafoe: “I can play with the best obviously, and I’m capable of winning Grand Slams”

tennis majors

Would Roger Federer make a good coach? Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray weigh in

tennis majors

Roger Federer on the future of men’s tennis: “There will definitely be a few players with 20+ slams”

tennis majors

Roger Federer on his moment of realisation: “When I lost to Felix in Halle in 2021, I cried, I knew I would not win Wimbledon”

tennis majors