'Very special' - Andy Murray reflects on emotional Roger Federer send-off and tips Carlos Alcaraz for great career
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Updated 12/10/2022 at 18:06 GMT
Andy Murray found Roger Federer's send-off at the Laver Cup to be a highly emotional occasion where the Scot reflected on his own career and said goodbye to a great of the sport. The Scot competed alongside Federer for Team Europe in the Swiss legend's final appearance before retiring. Murray also backed teenage world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to remain at the top of the game for a long time.
Murray - 'I do not deserve' Federer-style farewell as he dismisses own retirement thoughts
Andy Murray has described Roger Federer’s Laver Cup send-off as a special and emotional moment, while the Scot tipped current world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to challenge at the top of the sport for years to come.
Murray is competing at the Gijon Open this week, his first outing since playing for Team Europe alongside Federer in London, and he began his campaign with a win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Tuesday.
Federer’s glittering tennis career came to an end at the Laver Cup, when he paired up with old rival Rafael Nadal in the doubles in his final professional appearance.
Reflecting on the event, Murray told Cadena Ser: “It was strange, even the few days before Roger and Rafa played together.
“I was feeling quite emotional because we were doing a lot of interviews and being asked a lot about the last 15 years of our careers.
“Although it wasn’t me who was stopping, I never thought that much about this period in my life, the matches I played and things like that. It was bringing back a lot of memories.
"When Roger finished, seeing him there with his family, the feeling of all the players, the crowd, it was very special and a nice way for his career to finish, playing alongside his biggest rival and friend Rafa.”
Murray, 35, has battled back from two hip operations to reach No.48 in the world rankings this year.
But it has been an even better 2022 for Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who rose to No. 1 with victory at the US Open last month.
The 19-year-old is the youngest player to reach the position in the history of the ATP rankings, and Murray, himself a former world No. 1, expects to see the youngster competing at the very top for a long time.
Murray said: “I don't know if he will always be No. 1, but he will be in the top positions, whether that’s No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3. It's impossible to say, but he will be competing for the biggest titles for a long time.
“He’s a special talent; physically he is unbelievably strong, he moves very well around the court, mentally he is very good.
“He clearly loves the sport and I think this is something that is important for a long career, to stay at the top of the game you have to love it and enjoy everything that goes with it."
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