That’s all for tonight. Thanks so much for following along and be sure to check out Tumaini Carayol’s full match report here.
Federer: 'It's been a perfect journey'
“It’s been perfect journey, I would do it all over again,” Federer says. Asked to reflect on his journey from junior champion to grand slam champion to sporting icon, he says: “It was never supposed to be that way. I was just happy to play tennis and spend time with my friends, really.”
“It’s been so much fun,” he adds. “It’s been amazing. Thank you, everybody. I’ve had so many people cheer me on. And you guys here tonight, it means the world.”
Federer is then asked about how much his family’s support helped him along the way, and that’s when the waterworks really open up.
“We have to go there?” he says, jokingly. “I’ve done OK so far I feel. I’m at least able to talk. In my vision I was never able to talk, so I’m doing way better. Everybody’s here tonight from my family, so it’s great. I’ve had so much fun over the last 13 years [of marriage]. Everybody’s here, the girls, the boys. My wife’s been so supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago, but she didn’t. She kept me going and allowed me to play. It’s amazing. Thank you.”
He continues, barely able to form sentences at this point through the tears: “I find it always funny that we always blame my mom for everything, because without her, I wouldn’t be here of course. So thanks to my parents, you have been amazing. Thank you. And just everybody, too many people to thank. It’s just been incredible, my God. A fantastic night. Thank you, everybody.”
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