Roger Federer predicts US Open winner and past comments offer explanation
Roger Federer is backing Novak Djokovic to win the US Open this weekend and equal Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
Federer, 42, believes his former rival is the best bet to triumph at Flushing Meadows from the men's draw. It is the first time the five-time US Open winner is watching on in retirement after calling time on his career weeks after last year's tournament concluded.
Carlos Alcaraz remains the reigning champion from a year ago - but Federer favours experience to prevail over youth and the rest of the field. The Spaniard has dropped just one set in coasting through to the quarter-finals where he will face Alexander Zverev on Thursday.
Aside from a scare in the third round against fellow Serbian player Laslo Djere, Djokovic has come through his other four matches in straight sets. After a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Taylor Fritz on Tuesday, he is the first player into the semi-finals.
An American in either Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe and one of Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev will complete the final four. However, Federer feels a fourth US Open title is coming for Djokovic.
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“I would bet on Novak Djokovic. That’s a safe bet,” the Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador said in quotes reported by Sports Illustrated Deutschland .
These comments should not come as a surprise, as Federer has long made clear his feelings about Djokovic. Best evidenced by having him alongside Andy Murray watching on last year as he bowed out at the Laver Cup while playing doubles with Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic and Federer were together at the Laver Cup as the later waved goodbye to tennis (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)Two years before that, Djokovic and Federer spoke about their rivalry during an episode of ATP Uncovered. “Novak, obviously, he can play on all the surfaces extremely well," Federer said.
"He always brings a certain level of play, which is extremely high, so to beat him, you have to be at your best. He’s a great mover, and I have great coordination, so we match up well against each other.”
He continued: “I think actually rivalries are super important in sports, I think it also makes the game more popular. I think you always need somebody who you can have a good rivalry with. With me… and with Djokovic, thank God I had them… I think we get the best out of one another.”
His long-time rival was equally complimentary. “I’ve played so many thrilling matches with him over the years," Djokovic recalled.
"Every time I step on the court against him it’s thrilling; it’s very exciting because it kind of exceeds that match. It goes beyond the sport.
Whether Djokovic lives up to Federer's lofty expectations remains to be seen. However, in overcoming Fritz in the quarter-finals, he did get one over on his old foe by going one ahead of him on the all-time Grand Slam semi-final list after making it to his 47th on Tuesday.
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