KEY POINTS

  • Roger Federer has not played since Wimbledon 2021
  • He is set to make a comeback at Laver Cup next month
  • Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles

Argentina's tennis star Diego Schwartzman has heaped praise on Roger Federer, saying the Swiss legend "has four kids but he trains everyday."

Federer, who has two sets of twins, has been playing professional tennis for over two decades. He is a part of the "Big Three" in tennis, along with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. At present, Nadal leads the Grand Slam race with 22 major titles, one more than Djokovic and two ahead of the 41-year-old Federer.

While Federer has been stuck at No. 20 for four years now, Djokovic reduced the deficit by winning Wimbledon earlier this year.

After Nadal won the opening two Grand Slam titles this year before Djokovic secured his eighth trophy at the All England Club, the legendary duo has revived the debate to determine the Greatest of all Time (GOAT) in tennis.

However, former World No. 8 Schwartzman does not believe the Grand Slam count should be the main argument of the "GOAT" debate.

"For me, it's not just about Grand Slam titles. I watch a lot of things, including off the court. Roger is the player who generates the most enthusiasm among the fans. He is nice to everyone, you can hear him speak in Spanish, Italian or French. He has four children, but he trains every day," Schwartzman said in a recent interview, according to Tennis World USA.

Schwartzman went on to add that Federer, who holds the record for most Wimbledon titles (8), "hits with you on the tennis court and in the afternoon he dresses up for an event downtown."

I'll be back? Roger Federer waves to the Centre Court crowd
I'll be back? Roger Federer waves to the Centre Court crowd AFP / Adrian DENNIS

Schwartzman is currently competing in the Canadian Open in Montreal. He is going to next play against Albert Ramos of Spain in the Round of 32 on Wednesday.

The Argentinean could soon come face to face with Federer at Laver Cup 2022.

Federer, who has not played since Wimbledon 2021, is all set to make his on-court comeback. He is a part of Team Europe, along with Nadal, Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Casper Rudd. The opposite side, Team World, comprises Schwartzman, Taylor Fritz, Jack Sock, and Félix Auger-Aliassime.

Laver Cup, an indoor hard-court tournament, will take place from Sept. 23 to 25 in London.

Meanwhile, World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev spoke only about Nadal and Djokovic in regards to the "GOAT" debate.

"Novak Djokovic is an exceptional player, he proved it at Wimbledon. There was a lot of pressure when Rafa reached 22 Grand Slams. I think if Novak had a chance to get to 21, he was going to take it and he took it. And I want to see this rivalry continue and I want to be the one who will be able to stop the best of them," said Medvedev, who will enter the U.S. Open 2022 as the defending champion.

The New York Grand Slam will begin on Aug. 29 and will go on till Sept. 11 at Flushing Meadows.