"I know exactly how Andy Murray feels" - Roger Federer sends his sympathies to Brit after emotional Wimbledon farewell

Roger Federer extended his sympathy to former rival Andy Murray, after the Brit's emotional farewell at Wimbledon this week. The Swiss maestro said he had been through a similar experience and ended up retiring due to debilitating knee injuries.

Murray announced earlier in 2024 that he would hang up his racquet after the grass-court season. In his seventeenth and final career appearance at Wimbledon, the Brit teamed up with his brother Jamie Murray in men's doubles.

However, Australia's Rinky Hijikata and John Peers ousted the brothers in the first round on Thursday (July 4). The former World No. 1 addressed his fans at Centre Court after the result. The 37-year-old said in his on-court interview that although he wanted to prolong his career, his recent injuries won't allow him to do it.

Federer, who flew to London to meet Murray before his send-off, said in an interview with BBC that he could sympathise with the three-time Major winner. The Swiss was forced to retire abruptly in 2022 after multiple arthroscopic knee surgeries.

"It was hard to watch yesterday because I know exactly how he feels going through this whole process, because I think we love the game, equally, so so much, and we would love to do this forever," Roger Federer said to BBC (via The Tennis Podcast). "He said that on court and I share that opinion completely."

The 20-time Grand Slam champion said that while Murray must be hurting inside, he will see in due time that retiring from pro tennis to salvage his body was the right decision.

"I think he will see, when he's on the other side, what an actually great decision it will be for his life, for his body, for his mind to get away from it. And he's tried so hard to get back on the court," he added. "I don't even want to know how the last couple of weeks must have been for him. It must have been brutal."

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Roger Federer: "I was always Andy Murray's number one fan and supporter"

Roger Federer and Andy Murray faced off twice at Wimbledon (IMAGE: GETTY)

Roger Federer said he has always been a staunch supporter of Andy Murray, particularly after he defied his critics after his career-threatening hip injury in 2017. The 42-year-old also expressed dismay at not being able to catch the Brit's last match at SW19 live.

"I was always his number one fan and supporter that he should be doing what he thinks is right and what he feels in his heart of hearts he shold be doing, so I'm happy that he kept on going," Roger Federer said. "I wish I could have been there last night, I saw him quickly before the doubles, I went to see him in the fitness room and then I actually flew in on Tuesday morning in case he played the singles so I was here for that."

Federer and Murray met on the ATP Tour 25 times, with the Swiss claiming a narrow lead of 14-11 over his rival. The two players met at three of the four Major tournaments and contested the finals of the 2008 US Open and 2012 Wimbledon — Federer won both.