Tennis legend John McEnroe sees his sport well positioned in the future even without Serena Williams and Roger Federer. “These two players are irreplaceable, but it will continue,” said the 63-year-old American about the career end of the two superstars.
“We have an opportunity to market to young people in a way that we haven’t done very successfully before,” said McEnroe. At the past US Open, for example, the youngsters Carlos Alcaraz, who secured the title, and Frances Tiafoe provided an “electrifying event”.
“It’s really exciting that ten different players now have a chance of winning at these major events,” said McEnroe’s compatriot Taylor Fritz, who is serving at the Laver Cup in London for the world selection coached by McEnroe.
Rafael Nadal also commented on the dawn of the new era in men’s tennis without the Swiss Maestro Federer: “It’s the normal cycle of life. Some people go and others have to come,” he said: “Only this time it’s one of the most important if not the most important player in the history of this sport to leave after a super great and long career.”
The 23-time Grand Slam winner Williams (40) from the USA ended her career after the US Open in September. Federer (41), who has won 20 Grand Slam titles, announced the end of his career just before the Laver Cup.
In London, he plays on Team Europe with his longtime rivals Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.