Roger Federer retirement: Swiss star frequently reminded us no single player is bigger than tennis

In March 2018, about 10 days before Juan Martin del Potro defeated Roger Federer in the Indian Wells final, the Argentine told reporters how much he loved competing against Federer, but that it was also difficult facing someone he admired so much. Del Potro got the better of Federer on seven occasions from the 25 meetings they’ve had on tour and he was always fuelled by the idea of just how special it was to post one single victory over the talismanic Swiss.

Ad “I love to play against him. We've played some epic matches.

It's not easy to play with the person you admire,” said Del Potro. Laver CupBerrettini, Paul named as alternates for Laver Cup5 HOURS AGO “But if I had to take one match or one opponent to play in a final I'd take Roger for sure because one day I could tell my kids I played many times with Federer and I beat him and that’s why I like to play against him.” Many of the hundreds of opponents Federer has faced throughout his 24-year professional career share Del Potro’s sentiments.

For over two decades, Federer has had that eerie effect on his rivals, where he’d hand them a heavy beating, yet they’d still walk off court feeling like his biggest fans – OK, maybe not immediately upon defeat, but most certainly shortly after. It’s easy to understand why sports fans across the globe love Federer; the list of reasons is both lengthy and obvious.

But it’s how much he is revered by his peers and virtually everyone within the tennis community that is perhaps the most telling part of the Federer legacy. Federer to retire from tennis after Laver Cup Henman calls retiring Federer 'irreplaceable' For someone who has transcended the sport and felt larger than life, Federer frequently reminded us, and maybe also reminded