'I'll be watching!' Roger Federer wishes Rafael Nadal well, declares Roland Garros must-see TV
The 20-time major-winner offered his take on the field for the year's second Grand Slam, and sent well-wishes to his injured one-time rival, while attending the Formula One Grand Prix of Miami.
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Roger Federer will be glued to the TV later this month for the first French Open played since his retirement from tennis.
The former world No. 1 and 20-time major-winner declared his excitement for the season's second Grand Slam while attending the Formula One Grand Prix of Miami on Sunday. A longtime F1 fan, Federer was spotted alongside former rival Juan Martin del Potro, Serena and Venus Williams and Gabriela Sabatini in Miami, and rubbed shoulders with a whole host of other famous faces.
But racing wasn't the only sport on his mind: When asked for his thoughts on the men's field Roland Garros, which begins in three weeks, Federer sent his well-wishes to longtime rivals Rafael Nadal—who announced his withdrawal from this week's Internazionali BNL d'Italia due to a continuing hip injury on Friday—and Novak Djokovic, and shared his excitement about the next generation.
"It would be brutal. That would be tough for tennis if Rafa wasn't going to be there," Federer said. "I still hope so—I saw he pulled out of Rome, so I wish him the best.
"Novak also hasn't played that much, so I hope he's going to be strong ... and then obviously all the young guys coming through as well. I'll be watching, that's for sure!"
A longtime ATP players' council member, Federer was plugged into the goings-on on tour while he was an active player, and that appears no different in retirement.
But Roland Garros might not be the only Grand Slam that Federer will pay keen attention to this year. In February, The Telegraph newspaper in Great Britain reported that Federer was in "serious talks" to join the BBC and ESPN commentary teams at Wimbledon this summer.