- Title: Federer says he would be happy to see the Laver Cup in China
- Date: 19th September 2019
- Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (SEPTEMBER 19, 2019) (REUTERS) SWISS TENNIS PLAYER AND MEMBER OF THE LAVER CUP TEAM EUROPE, ROGER FEDERER TRAINING IN FRONT OF CHILDREN AT PALEXPO WHERE LAVER CUP IS TAKING PLACE VARIOUS OF CHILDREN WATCHING FEDERER TRAINING FORMER SWEDISH TENNIS PLAYER AND CAPTAIN OF THE 2019 LAVER CUP EUROPE TEAM, BJORN BORG, DURING FEDERER TRAINING PLAYERS AND CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM EUROPE POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS FEDERER AND BORG POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS LAVER CUP TROPHY (SOUNDBITE) (English) SWISS TENNIS PLAYER AND MEMBER OF THE LAVER CUP TEAM EUROPE, ROGER FEDERER, SAYING: "Why not, not in the Europe year, but the other years, it is completely open and flexible, but you have got to ask the Laver Cup people, I am sure they are looking into it, where it is going to go for the next decade or so. "Sure, why not, China has been a good place for us players, you know the tournament in Shanghai and Beijing, they've been big, it is growing there as well with all the tournaments that are coming now or also on the women side, so, tennis is definitely making a nice move and yes, I would be happy to see the Laver Cup going to China at one stage. "Sure there's other countries and cities that really also would like it in the future and I just like it to be in the place that is really super excited about hosting the Laver Cup like Prague, Chicago and now also Geneva has shown, that would be the same in China if it ever goes there." FEDERER TRAINING NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPANISH TENNIS PLAYER AND MEMBER OF THE LAVER CUP TEAM EUROPE, RAFAEL NADAL, SAYING: "I think we are doing our way, I am doing my way by the way, not going to bed every day thinking about 'I need to win you know, a number in particular'. I just try to enjoy the tennis. "Tennis is not only grand slams by the way, of course grand slams are so important, but I don't take that way, I just try to, to give me opportunities to compete well for every, every single event and at the same time many grand slams where I was able to achieve, Roger (Federer), me, Novak (Djokovic), all this generation, I think, makes our era of tennis a little bit more special. "So at this point, of course there is Roger and Novak and myself who achieved a lot and that is a special thing for the last 15 years. So, let's see what the thing can keep going, but it is something that is difficult to know and honestly, today, we are thinking about the Laver Cup, more than everything else." STEFANOS TSITSIPAS LAUNCHING TENNIS BALLS TO SPECTATORS CHILDREN CHEERING
- Embargoed: 3rd October 2019 17:10
- Keywords: John McEnroe Laver Cup Team Europe Team World Bjorn Borg Rod Laver Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Geneva
- Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- City: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- Country: Switzerland
- Topics: Sport,Tennis
- Reuters ID: LVA001AXBR03J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: PROFANITY IN SHOT 20
Roger Federer, one of the instigators of the Laver Cup, would be happy to see the team event takes place in China, the Swiss tennis star said on Thursday (September 19).
Federer was talking at a news conference in Geneva, alongside his seven teammates from Team Europe, the day before the Laver Cup kicks off against Team World.
The tournament, a three-day team event between Europe and the rest of the world, became an official part of the ATP Tour in May this year following its runaway success in its first two editions in Prague and Chicago.
The 38-year-old Swiss began the year three ahead of second-placed - and one of his teammate for the Laver Cup - Nadal's haul but the Spaniard claimed a 12th French Open title this year followed up by winning the U.S. Open this month.
It has re-energised the GOAT (greatest of all time) debate with Nadal, who has 19 slams, looking back to his best after injury concerns earlier this year.
But Nadal said his goal was not a rank number to reach, but to compete and enjoy, adding that Federer, Novak Djokovic and himself achieved a lot and made "our era of tennis a little bit more special".
Team World captain John McEnroe entered into the debate, joking that maybe the pair might retire directly after the tournament if his side beat them.
Team Europe have won both previous editions and are solid favourites to make it a hat-trick.
Federer will play with teammate Sascha Zverev for the first day of the event on Friday (September 20), against Canadian Denis Shapovalov and US Jack Sock from the team World.
(Production: Cecile Mantonvani, Mussab Al-Khairalla) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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