By Scoop Malinowski
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal lost their doubles match at Laver Cup. It is the end of Federer’s professional tennis career. I have three thoughts…
Nobody knows where the sport of tennis would be right now if the boy named Roger Federer didn’t love to hit a tennis ball.
Roger Federer miraculously lifted the sport to a new height after Pete Andre, dominated in style and then again miraculously inspired the next generation Rafa Novak to an incomprehensible even greater height.
I think every ATP and WTA player should wear the RF logo somewhere on their shirts for the remainder of 2022.
Laver Cup · RF · Roger Federer
Scoop Malinowski · September 23, 2022 at 9:14 pm
Can’t think of any better way Federer could have retired than this. Magical moment of tennis history.
Scoop Malinowski · September 23, 2022 at 9:15 pm
Marcelo Rios has one spoken all positive things for over a decade about one single player – Roger Federer.
Sam · September 24, 2022 at 1:59 am
I heard about Federer retiring. I was a bit surprised—thought he was going to keep on milking his sponsors for megabucks while just sitting on the sidelines. 🤑
What do you think happened, Scoop? Did his sponsors finally tell him that they were going to stop the gravy train? 🚃
I also learned recently about Nadal getting dumped pretty early out of that dog-and-pony show up in New York. Funny how even though they tried everything but the kitchen sink to hand him the title, he still couldn’t manage to step up and take it! 🤣
Interesting how Federer and Djokovic seem to be making nice for Laver Cup this week. But once the week is over, no doubt the newfound bromance will be promptly shelved. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · September 24, 2022 at 7:55 am
Reckon that’s a very distinct possibility Sam, Federer said after he felt happy that his body got through the match and cited his back but made no mention about his allegedly weak knee, which was not bandaged or wrapped all week. He’s just an average player now who makes a lot of errors but still can show flashes of the old brilliance. His sponsors may have indeed given an ultimatum. Did you see the odd photo of Fed and Rafa holding hands and crying together on the bench? A former ATP player said all photos of Rafa Fed holding hands were removed from facebook. He also questioned why Ljubicic and Stan were not there. Rafa looked skinny in the arms and legs, he also played poorly in the match last night. Not surprisingly he has withdrawn and flew home. I predict Rafa will never win another GS. I also predict Sam that Fed and Novak have now become friends against all odds, like Nick and Novak. Novak made all the right moves, worshipped and catered to the Fed ego and I’m sure Federer now embraces Novak.
Krzysztof · September 24, 2022 at 11:32 am
Ljubicic was there ;). It is a little bit surprising that Roger did not receive any special trophy, gift or cup with some dedication gravered. It could have been arranged by his fellow players or ATP body. It is also strange that someone from ATP like Gaudenzi did not officially say goodbye to Roger after doubles match. Jim Courier is just a commentator. Moreover, any of his coaches could have also made a few words. By the way, it would have been symbolic if the current No. 1 player, Carlos Alcaraz, had been invited to Laver Cup, especially as he admires Roger a lot. I remember that Edberg had a better farewell with some special trophy from Bercy organizers and flowers from every ball girl after his final match in Stockholm.
Scoop Malinowski · September 24, 2022 at 6:19 pm
Krzysztof, you are right, there should have been some kind of special gift just for Roger, or even some special artwork. That trophy would be worth a fortune someday. Also Peter Lundgren was not there. Though he got stiffed out of a million dollar bonus when Fed got to no. 1 so they may not be on good terms. Annacone was also absent. Guess they really were not so important for his career after all. Alcaraz was also an interesting absence but surely his appearance fee would be too much. Be sure that there will be a Fed vs Carlos exo next year.
Sam · September 26, 2022 at 8:28 pm
Federer said after he felt happy that his body got through the match and cited his back but made no mention about his allegedly weak knee, which was not bandaged or wrapped all week.
Very interesting, Scoop. 🍿
His sponsors may have indeed given an ultimatum.
If they were smart. 😉
Did you see the odd photo of Fed and Rafa holding hands and crying together on the bench?
No, I haven’t been following tennis closely ever since we heard that Djokovic was denied entry to New York.
A former ATP player said all photos of Rafa Fed holding hands were removed from facebook. He also questioned why Ljubicic and Stan were not there.
So . . . what do you think the removal of the photos and the snub of those two players means? 🤔
I predict Rafa will never win another GS.
Well, except for the French Open at least. His tricks still haven’t stopped working there, it seems. 😛
I also predict Sam that Fed and Novak have now become friends against all odds
You really think so? 😹
Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2022 at 8:21 am
Sam, I was told Ljubicic was there but didn’t see any proof of it. Luthi was there. Not sure if Fed’s older sister was there, nobody mentions here anymore. Yes, Federer mentioned on court after the loss how he was happy his back didn’t give out and that his calf didn’t pop – nothing no concern about the allegedly bad knee. So this is further evidence that the knee injury and surgery were a hoax to protect his image and extend the $90m sponsor income. Rafa is done on clay too, he looked very sad in London after the doubles loss where he was very mediocre and lacking power. He’s finished. Yes I do think Fed and Novak connected, mainly because of Novak’s efforts. Fed called him a friend and even fetched him two water bottles during the Tiafoe match. Fed has a heart of gold and he knows he was wrong in how he has mistreated Novak over the years. I think Federer’s heart of gold will take over now and the bitterness storm has passed.
Sam · October 1, 2022 at 6:33 am
Sam, I was told Ljubicic was there but didn’t see any proof of it.
Strange.
Not sure if Fed’s older sister was there, nobody mentions here anymore.
Didn’t even know he had one.
Yes, Federer mentioned on court after the loss how he was happy his back didn’t give out and that his calf didn’t pop – nothing no concern about the allegedly bad knee. So this is further evidence that the knee injury and surgery were a hoax to protect his image and extend the $90m sponsor income.
Definitely sounds like it, Scoop! 🤥
Rafa is done on clay too, he looked very sad in London after the doubles loss where he was very mediocre and lacking power. He’s finished.
Nothing that a few TUE’s can’t fix. 😉
Fed called him a friend and even fetched him two water bottles during the Tiafoe match. Fed has a heart of gold and he knows he was wrong in how he has mistreated Novak over the years. I think Federer’s heart of gold will take over now and the bitterness storm has passed.
Either that, or he’s just a good actor. 🎥
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2022 at 8:04 am
Sam, Federer this week finally began to follow his new pal Novak on instagram. After how Novak behaved and practically worshiped Federern at Laver Cup, Federer would look really bad if he still held a grudge. I think the cold war is over, Federer even made fun of himself for losing his last singles and doubles matches of his career.
Krzysztof · October 2, 2022 at 7:09 am
Ljubicic was there:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Arr1Sx50RjhogalV92Aciqg-9FlwlA?e=cWA15O
Scoop Malinowski · October 2, 2022 at 7:44 am
Krzysztof, But Annacone and Lundgren were not. Edberg was, he still lives in London I believe.
Sam · October 3, 2022 at 2:22 am
Sam, Federer this week finally began to follow his new pal Novak on instagram.
Well, I guess that cements it, Scoop—nothing says “friendship” like following someone on Instagram! 🤓
After how Novak behaved and practically worshiped Federern at Laver Cup
That almost sounds embarrassing.
Federer even made fun of himself for losing his last singles and doubles matches of his career.
Glad he has some sense of humor at least.
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2022 at 7:59 am
I was a little annoyed by Federer’s lack of support for Novak all year but I adore Federer again after this Laver Cup, everybody’s likeability factor improved. Still confused by Tsitsipas cold shouldering his former coach Enqvist at one of the handshakes, remember Tsitipas totally ignored Enqvist during the entire Miami Open loss to Alcaraz, that was their last match together.
Sam · October 4, 2022 at 4:38 pm
I was a little annoyed by Federer’s lack of support for Novak all year but I adore Federer again after this Laver Cup, everybody’s likeability factor improved.
I think the key will be what happens in the future. If Federer doesn’t support Djokovic in something important down the road, then it’s probably just a charade for the moment. 🎭
Still confused by Tsitsipas cold shouldering his former coach Enqvist at one of the handshakes, remember Tsitipas totally ignored Enqvist during the entire Miami Open loss to Alcaraz, that was their last match together.
Guess there’s a strong reason they parted ways. 😤
Scoop Malinowski · October 4, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Sam. Yes let’s hope Roger is not a fairweather friend. I believe they genuinely connected and buried the hatchet for good. Yes that Tsitsipas and Enqvist cold shoulder routine is curious to say the least. Both are known as very nice likable people. Something went awry there. I’ll try to find out, as I’m trying to find out more details about why the Sheng family fired Rios after about two weeks on a one year contract.
Scoop Malinowski · October 4, 2022 at 8:24 pm
Nice article on Opelka in GQ https://www.gq.com/story/reilly-opelka-paris-fashion-week-show-notes?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=onsite-share&utm_brand=gq&utm_social-type=earned
Sam · October 6, 2022 at 4:12 pm
I’m trying to find out more details about why the Sheng family fired Rios after about two weeks on a one year contract.
Well, Scoop, I suspect that contract had an “out” clause. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · October 6, 2022 at 9:33 pm
Sam for sure, they smartly claused in that they could end the deal at any time, Rios must have irritated the parents, Rios is not good dealing with authority figures.