I don’t think he would choose Ruud – VG

Casper Rudd, 23, could become Roger Federer’s 41st doubles partner when the legend plays his last match at the top level, but everything indicates he will be an epic duo who will join the field in London on Friday night.

The Laver Cup between the European team and the world team begins next Friday. The last match that evening will be Federer with a partner against a duo from the world team.

– I believe and hope to be with (Rafael) Nadal. Da has been good friends for many years, and they have funny things on social media. Although they were rivals at the time, they have been friends for the past 10 to 15 years, says Eurosport commentator Christer Frank.

Federer’s partner will be Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas or world number two Rafael Nadal, who make up the rest of the European team.

– It would have been fun if it were about Casper, but I don’t think so. Double up isn’t Casper’s strongest card, so I think he’d be ready to play singles, says Frank.

Federer has struggled with injuries in recent years and is concerned about his knee ahead of Friday’s game. Federer receives special permission to participate. Each Laver Cup player usually plays one singles match during the first two days. Federer’s body isn’t ready for it, and the captains, Bjorn Borg for Europe and John McEnroe of the world team, as well as the ATP, agreed on a separate rule for Federer’s end. As an exception, everyone agreed that the 41-year-old plays only one doubles match.

Federer met the press in London on Wednesday morning, and the Swiss was very clear when asked if he wanted to end his career with Rafael Nadal.

– naturally. no doubt. I think this would be a unique situation. We’ve competed against each other for a long time, but we’ve always had mutual respect for each other. Our families and coaching staff have always been so helpful. “The fact that we have had such a good relationship after competition for almost our entire career, I think is a great message for everyone who plays there,” Federer said at the press conference broadcast by Eurosport.

Three singles and one doubles match take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Laver Cup, which is broadcast on Eurosport and Discovery+.

Tennis expert Sverre Krogh Sundbø, who also commented on tennis for VGTV, thinks he’ll get what he wants.

When outgoing kings desire, they get what they want. “His wish is their command.” So I think it will be Nadal who plays that match with Federer. They are a nice combination. The two started out with petty arguments and bitter animosity, but it became a friendship of mutual respect, says Krog Sondbow.

Federer and Nadal have 42 grand slam victories. Federer has 20 and Nadal 22. Federer won his first Grand Slam win at Wimbledon in 2003 and his last victory at the Australian Open in 2018.

Casper Rudd met both Federer and Nadal on clay in Paris during the French Open. In June of this year The Norwegian was beaten by Nadal In the end. Three years ago, the Norwegian lost to Federer in the third round of the Grand Slam tournament in the French capital.

– Casper’s time in this match has not come. It will continue to evolve to celebrate tennis history, but for now we’ll bid farewell to one of the players who has distinguished the sport of tennis in the past two decades, says Krug Sondbow.

Eurosport commentator Frank does not think it will be an exhibition match with many great hits.

– They go to win. Doubles are fast, a lot of volleyball and attacking play. Frank says, I don’t know if they want to show that much, they want to win.

Federer appeared in a white shirt and dark jacket at the press conference. After that he switched to training clothes.

– Another double. I am stressed. “I haven’t played in a long time,” Federer says.

The global team includes: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz, Diego Schwartzman, Alex de Minaur, Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.