Australian tennis player Omar Jasika reveals he didn’t really have idols growing up but adds Roger Federer was amazing to watch and he thinks the Swiss is the one who should be considered as the greatest tennis player of all time.
Jasika, 25, enjoyed a pretty successful junior career, having won the boys’ singles and doubles titles at the 2014 US Open. “I didn’t have any idol as such, although I loved watching Federer, he’s amazing,” Jasika told Punto de Break.
When asked to pick the GOAT, Jasika named Federer. “I have to choose Roger,” Jasika answered.
Jasika once practiced with Federer
Five years ago, Jasika posted a practice court selfie with Federer. Before Federer’s 2017 Australian Open final, Jasika received the honor to serve as the warm up partner for the Swiss.
Jasika was thrilled about the experience as he captioned his Instagram post: “Pleasure warming up the king before his final tonight. Good luck.” Meanwhile, Federer hasn’t played since 2021 Wimbledon as he is still recovering from a knee surgery.
In a recent interview, Federer confirmed he is focused on giving tennis one final shot. “Time will tell how I want to deal with this, how often I keep looking for interest,” Federer told Het Parool. “I think about that now sometimes, but not often.
My main focus is on how to make my comeback in tennis. I work hard on that and I think about it every day. What feeling you get and how you react after such applause and standing ovation, I still don’t know that in advance.
Novak [Djokovic] also said that: a lot of us are nervous before such a parade. We don’t do this every day either, we never get used to it. It remains uncertain, while all you have to do is walk a bit and say a few words.
And I was quite emotional, although not everyone has seen that. You never tire of such attention. That is why it is also difficult for many athletes to stop. Or why they keep playing demonstration matches. Because they love to perform. Because in the end we are not just tennis players, but also performers, entertainers”.
