Novak Djokovic delighted to contribute after watching Roger Federer’s farewell

25.09.2022 - 13:17 breakingnews.ie

Novak Djokovic made up for lost time with two victories in rapid fashion to help Team Europe take control of the Laver Cup on the second day of the team competition in London.

A day after Roger Federer’s emotional farewell to competitive tennis alongside Rafael Nadal in the early hours of Saturday morning at the O2, Djokovic took centre stage with a routine win over Team World’s Frances Tiafoe before he partnered up with Matteo Berrettini to beat Jack Sock and Alex de Minaur in the doubles.

It put Team Europe 8-4 up going into the final day and with points on Sunday worth three, the hosts will wrap up a fifth consecutive title with two more triumphs in the race to hit the 13-point mark.

Doubles delight for Team Europe.@DjokerNole and @MattBerrettini clinch victory over Team World's Alex de Minaur and Jack Sock.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/HCUhZcPKYw — Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 24, 2022 Djokovic had been restricted to a watching brief on Friday when two of his biggest rivals – but team-mates for this event – joined forces in a memorable doubles contest that brought down the curtain on Federer’s illustrious career.

Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Matteo Berrettini Novak Djokovic Cameron Norrie Alex De-Minaur Jack Sock France Serbia Usa London

Novak Djokovic said he is "super-pumped and motivated" to finish the 2022 season on a high after winning his second ATP Tour title in as many weeks on Sunday.

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Novak Djokovic has spoken about the «extra motivation» he felt after he sealed an impressive Tel Aviv Open triumph in his ATP Tour return. The 21-time Grand Slam singles champion claimed his third title of what has been a largely frustrating 2022 for him as he cruised past fellow veteran Marin Cilic, 6-3 6-4, in the final on Sunday. Ad Djokovic was forced to miss the US Open due to his decision not to get vaccinated from Covid-19 and was delighted to get back to winning ways on the ATP Tour with a fine victory and what he described as a «really amazing experience» at the event.

'It added something more special' - Novak Djokovic on the key to Roger Federer’s emotional send-off

Novak Djokovic wants to follow in the footsteps of Roger Federer by having all his tennis rivals present when he retires. Federer called time on a glittering career at this year’s Laver Cup in London, an event which featured Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray – meaning the ‘Big Four’ who have dominated men’s tennis for the best part of the last two decades were all in attendance. Ad The Swiss superstar with 20 Grand Slams to his name said a teary goodbye after losing a doubles match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock with long-time on-court rival Nadal.

Like Roger Federer's farewell, Novak Djokovic wants biggest rivals at his swansong

Novak Djokovic said he wants his biggest rivals to be by his side when he brings the curtain down on his career, much like Roger Federer's emotional goodbye to the game last week. Images of Federer and Rafael Nadal - who shared one of tennis's most enthralling rivalries - sitting together and crying after combining in a Laver Cup doubles defeat at London's O2 Arena on Friday went viral on social media. Djokovic and Andy Murray - two of Federer's other main rivals - were also present for the 41-year-old's final bow.