Intervju sa Ljubicicem, skroz je jasno da on moze da igra, ali bi ispadao u prvim kolima, a to bi bilo suludo da radi
▸ By the way, how did you know from Roger Federer that he was ready to say enough?
Ljubicic: Obviously it was a shared, elaborate decision. A choice that Roger arrived at with great serenity when he realized that the recovery was not going in the right direction and above all the times were getting too long. Being a wise and very intelligent man he realized that at 41, and after such an incredible career it was time to say enough.
▸ Without the possibility of maneuvering?
Ljubicic: No. It wouldn't make sense to him. We're used to thinking of Federer as a classy, elegant player but let's not forget that he is a winner. One who doesn't take the court if he doesn't know he can compete at his level.
▸ Will we see him again after the Laver Cup?
Ljubicic: Certainly. Roger loves tennis too much, he lives off tennis. He will make performances if he is well, he will stay in his world because playing is what he has always loved to do. Even when I visited him with my son, the first thing he wanted to do was play. I think that if he could he would also sleep on the tennis court.
Can you tell us how he asked you to become your coach?
Ljubicic: We were at lunch and so, out of the blue, he made me the offer. I was amazed, I knew he was working well with Edberg. Obviously I was very happy, enthusiastic. Then in the evening I thought about it and panic broke out. What could I do for Roger Federer? A huge responsibility. We used to talk, we traveled... They were always talking about tennis and watching tennis. From juniors, to wheelchair, to legends, always... Then of course I had to be ready in moments of difficulty. Like that final lost at Wimbledon 2019...
Yes, but it wasn't the worst time. There we were sad and sorry because Roger had played better for all 5 sets, but in the end we toasted the umpteenth final played at Wimbledon. Of course, we didn't know it would be the last...
At Halle 2021, when he lost to Aliassime. He was in pain, he was dejected. He knew he was going to Wimbledon with no chance to win, and it was a great pain for him. We hoped for a physical miracle, but it didn't come. (i na jednoj nozi je stigao do QF)
▸ How important was Mirka to Roger's career? Ljubicic: I've always heard unfair descriptions of her, of a tough woman. This is absolutely not the case. It was a constant, discreet point of reference.
She was there when she had to be, she was a tennis player and she knew the dynamics perfectly. It was crucial in difficult times. And she will be now, to accompany her husband in the new life.