"I would like to play with (Djokovic). I hope he feels the same way"
Thursday 20 September 2018 20:57, UK
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic could be set to form a dream partnership as Team Europe prepare to take on Team World in the Laver Cup this weekend.
The tournament held in Chicago begins on Friday and pits a dozen of the best players in the world of tennis.
Bjorn Borg's Team Europe are favourites and they will attempt to defend their crown against a rest of the world side captained by the legendary John McEnroe.
Event founder and Team Europe star Roger Federer has the luxury of playing alongside Wimbledon and US Open champion Novak Djokovic as well as Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin and Kyle Edmund.
But the Swiss great is hoping he will be able to team up for doubles competition with 14-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic, who is back in top form.
"I would like to play with (Djokovic)," said 37-year-old Federer. "I hope he feels the same way.
"I get along very well with everybody. I think this time it's special that Rafa's (Nadal) not a part, but Djokovic is, and I've not spent much time with Djokovic in the past, but we get along very well.
"I'm happy he's got such great momentum coming in from the US Open, so I hope he can really also bring some points home for Team Europe."
Although Federer feels Europe have the edge in star quality, he expects the three-day event to be gruelling and says it could come down to the wire.
"I think Team Europe is the slight favourite, just because of our sheer power we have in the singles, but I do believe in all three doubles matches that Team World is the favourite," said the 20-time major winner.
"Jack Sock, Isner and Kyrgios play very good doubles, and Anderson, so I think it's going to be actually really tough.
"I hope we can win maybe three singles and see what happens in the doubles, but I think it's actually going to be coming down to the wire again, and it really depends what happens on Sunday."
Federer added: "I'm just really pleased to be in Chicago with the Laver Cup. We had such a great time in Prague last year so we're just looking forward to it - it's going to be something similar.
"This time we're at the United Center where the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks play and it's an amazing arena, it's right here and I can't wait for the matches to come around."
We have every major tennis event covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.
Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports.