Swiss great Roger Federer insists he will end his career this week with no regrets even though his record of 20 Grand Slam titles was overhauled by Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The 41-year-old will play competitively for the last time at this week’s Laver Cup, bowing out in Team Europe alongside Nadal, Djokovic and Britain’s Andy Murray - his three fiercest rivals during his glittering 24-year career.
But for Nadal, who beat Federer in six Grand Slam finals including four French Opens, and Djokovic, who got the better of him in four including at Wimbledon in 2019 when Federer had match points, the Swiss would have been untouchable.
Murray also denied Federer the Olympic singles gold, beating him in the 2012 final.
But while those rivalries delivered tough moments, Federer says he was fortunate to have experienced them during an unprecedented golden era for men’s tennis.
“I never really wanted those rivalries you know. I wish I would have just went off and won everything forever,” Federer said at London’s O2 Arena which is hosting the team event between Europe and the Rest of the World.
“But now, looking back I couldn’t be happier that we had these incredible matches with Andy. They were tough, we had some brutal matches, heated moments as well, and then we are today really cool with one another.
“Same with Novak, great matches, a lot happened but again we’re on the same team super happy to think to be together here. Rafa of course the same thing. I’m very fortunate to be part of that group and then there was also Stan Wawrinka, you know and (Juan Martin Del Potro) Del Po and others in the beginning.”
Asked who was his toughest rival, Federer picked Nadal.
“Just with his lefty silly spin to my backhand has been a challenge for me to say the least,” Federer said.

GREATEST PLAYER
 While the debate over the greatest male player of all time will continue long after Federer hangs up his rackets, in terms of the elegance of his shot-making and his balletic movement, many regard the Swiss as peerless.
Asked what makes him most proud, however, Federer picked his longevity and consistency.
“I was famous for being quite erratic at the beginning of my career,” said Federer, who reached at least the semi-finals of 23 consecutive Grand Slams between 2004 and 2010 and spent a record 237 consecutive weeks as world number one.
“Famous for being not so consistent, so to become one of the most consistent players ever is quite a shock to me.
“Looking back that has a special meaning to me because I always looked to the Michael Schumachers, Tiger Woods, all the other guys that stayed for so long at the top that I didn’t understand how they did it. Next thing, you’re part of that group, and it’s been a great feeling.
“I’m very happy to be able to win another five slams after (breaking Pete Sampras’s record of 14). For me it was incredible. Then I made it to over 100 titles.
“I don’t need all the records to be happy, I tell you that.”
Asked if the losses still hurt, Federer said the memories of the victories were stronger.
“I’m happy I don’t have flashbacks at tough moments in my career. I see more the happiness, me with a trophy, me winning, and I’m happy that my brain allows me to think this way,” he said.  
Federer said he wants to bring the curtain down on his glittering career by teaming up with long-time rival Nadal.
The Swiss great confirmed yesterday that the final match of his long and illustrious career will be in the doubles tomorrow.
Italian Matteo Berrettini, the first alternate for the tournament that pits Team Europe against Team World, will then take Federer’s place over the weekend.
The Swiss great does not yet know whether he will be able to link up with Nadal but said it would be the dream scenario.
“Of course, no doubt,” he told a packed press conference at the O2.
“I mean, I think it could be quite a unique situation, you know, that if it were to happen.”
Federer said he and Nadal, 36, had always maintained a respect for each other even as they vied for the biggest trophies in the sport.
“For us as well to go through a career that we both have had and to come out on the other side and being able to have a nice relationship I think is maybe a great message as well to not just tennis but sports and maybe even beyond,” he said.
“For that reason I think it would be great. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but I think it could be obviously a special moment.”
Nadal, who holds the record for Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis with 22, Novak Djokovic, who has won 21, and three-time major winner Andy Murray are all part of the six-man Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg.
Their opponents, Team World, skippered by John McEnroe, include Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Diego Schwartzman.
Bittersweet
Federer said he was happy to step away from tennis at the age of 41 but admitted it was a “bittersweet decision”.
“You always want to play forever,” he said.
“I love being out on court, I love playing against the guys, I love travelling. I never really felt like it was that hard for me to do, of winning, learn from losing, it was all perfect. I love my career from every angle.”
The Swiss said he was happy with his place in the debate over who is the greatest of all time in the men’s game even though his tally of Grand Slam titles has been eclipsed by Nadal and Djokovic.
“I’m definitely very proud and very happy where I sit,” he said.
“One of my big moments of course was winning my 15th slam at Wimbledon, you know, when Pete (Sampras, who had won a then-record 14) was sitting there. Anything after that was a bonus,” he said.
He said he said he had no intention of disappearing off the radar despite his looming retirement.
“I just wanted to let the fans know I won’t be a ghost, you know. It’s funny, you know, I talked about Bjorn Borg just before.
“I don’t think he returned to Wimbledon for 25 years. That, in a way, hurts every tennis fan. Totally acceptable, his life, his reasons.”