Andy Murray said he was hoping for a “special” last chance to share a spot with Roger Federer at next week’s Laver Cup in London and possibly team up to play doubles before the Swiss great retires from the sport.
The 41-year-old Federer, who redefined the sport with his artistry and grace and amassed 20 Grand Slam titles, announced on Thursday that he would end his glittering career after the men’s team event due to injury woes.
Murray and Federer will join fellow ‘Big Four’ members Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic as they play in the same team for the first time at the Laver Cup on September 23-25.
“Maybe I (will) get an opportunity to play with him in doubles or something on a court. That would be really special,” after he and Joe Salisbury lost a crucial doubles for Britain in Davis Cup on Friday.
“I don’t know how much he can play. I haven’t spoken to him about it.”
Murray lost the 2012 Wimbledon final to Federer before beating him to Olympic gold, while the pair also played in the Australian Open and US Open finals.
“I’ve been fortunate to be able to face him in some of the biggest matches, in the biggest tournaments and on the biggest stages of our sport,” added Murray, who last played against Federer competitively in 2015.
“I probably didn’t appreciate it that much at the time, but looking back it’s pretty amazing… It’s a sad, sad day for the sport.”