The whole world cried when Roger Federer said goodbye to tennis two years ago. While he had his good friend, Rafael Nadal, and other well-known names and friends by his side during his farewell match, back in 2022, there was one person who missed the moment. While Alexander Zverev had his own reasons to skip the Laver Cup, the 42-year-old tennis legend recently lamented the 27-year-old’s absence during his farewell.

In a recent conversation, the former world number one opened up about not having the German tennis player around during the Laver Cup. He stated, “It would certainly have been nice, because I know that it would have meant a lot to him. He came as a fan. I know that I was very important to him in his career as an idol.”

Zverev competed in the Laver Cup’s first four iterations, from 2017 to 2021. He was unable to compete in the competition last year because of his terrible ankle injury sustained in the 2022 French Open semifinal. Along with Roger Federer, Nick Kyrgios, John Isner, Frances Tiafoe, and Jack Sock—all of whom have participated in four Cup editions—he shares the record for the most Laver Cup appearances. With four victories, Zverev leads the record for the most tournament victories, though.

The fourth-ranked tennis player is all prepared to compete for Team Europe at this year’s Laver Cup alongside Spanish talents Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. The event is slated to happen from September 20–22 in Berlin’s Uber Arena.

In addition, this year, as Federer will be a part of the Laver Cup, he has a hope to see the French Open finalist there! He told Welt, “I’m looking forward to him being in Berlin at the Laver Cup this year. This will be a cool thing, even with Carlos Alcaraz. Hopefully, Rafa will also play – as well as Medvedev. I will also be there in Berlin.”

Not only does he have hopes of meeting Zverev and Medvedev, but he was also quite excited to watch the 22-time Grand Slam champion play this year at the event. However, while talking about Nadal’s participation in the Laver Cup, Federer recently opened up about getting out of his retirement and playing one last game with his good friend, Nadal wishes the same, just like the way Federer ended his decade-long tennis run.

Roger Federer vows to come out of retirement !

The 42-year-old tennis star is prepared to come out of retirement, two years after his incredible farewell doubles match at the Laver Cup. The 20-time Grand Slam winner recently talked about giving tennis one final go for his close friend Rafa.

He said, “I don’t think we’ll play doubles together at the Laver Cup, but if he asks me, I’ll definitely be there.” Federer recently expressed his wish to play one farewell doubles match with the 22-time Grand Slam champion, while the Spaniard is having a difficult year and may be done with the tour in 2024.

The Rafa and Roger combo was infectious and since they’ve already played two Laver Cup doubles events before, why not wrap it up with a hattrick?!