Alexander Zverev gives brilliant introduction to Roger Federer at Laver Cup gala

At the Laver Cup gala in Prague, Alexander Zverev recounted his first meeting with Roger Federer when he was just five years old. Watch the young German's brilliant introduction to Federer. For more Laver Cup news, head to sport360.com/tags/laver-cup

[@vickywoods8446]

Great intro, Zverev. When Zverev called Roger "The best of all time"...Nadal did not flinch...his eyes did not go down, the smile did not change, or leave his face. He was genuinely happy for Roger. Rafa has said it more than once, that Roger is the best player ever. True Friendship. Dont believe all the internet hype.

[@chraschi]

Of course! Becasue Nadal would say exact the same thing about roger... He always did... watch this back in 2009 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnubc6qrgc5opc0

[@migueltaranto9679]

He Is great pretending

[@fido3449]

It certainly does Rafa great credit. And he knows he may yet surpass Federer's records. What he can't hope to match is the sublime beauty, the silky sting, of Roger's game. That will remain the benchmark.

[@atiboyful]

Your observations are very intuitive Vicky Woods! And, you are right BTW!

[@DIANAROSS4EVER]

Or maybe he knew he was being filmed lol

[@gaganmeetsingh7195]

Did you see the smile on Nadal's face , these two are true admirers of each other :)

[@brucelin7938]

he's like i'm so proud of my boy

[@arvisjaggamar]

Yes! As a former Rafa Hater, moments like these make me really respect him (and even like him! Gasp!) and enjoy seeing him still out on the tour and playing well.

[@lonedrone]

I think a lot of people were surprised to see just how much of a team player Rafa is during Laver cup.

[@goldpython2263]

They've sharpened each other over the years, helped each other to become as great as they are. Legends both.

[@purchasingdistrict1086]

i totally agree.. and we're so lucky to have the 2 of them (+Novak maybe) in the same generation.. would be badly missed when they all retire.. i think we should appreciate the 2 of them instead of constantly comparing them all the time

[@hoangsonphan566]

When Alex said "I was only 5 years old". I just realised how long Roger has been on the court. That time he became Alex's idol, took a photograph with the 5 years old boy. Now that boy has grown strong, won 2 Master Series this year, 1 was against his idol, and even qualified for ATP Final. Federer? He's still here, still winning big titles and still playing incredibly well, after such a long time. What a player he is!

[@OasePadangPasir]

and so with Genie and Maria Sharapova, Maria was her idol but now Genie prefer to be traitor.

[@jamaicaballero23]

OasePadangPasir that's because Maria has become a cheat, a poor role model and a disappointment to Genie and other players who looked up to her.

[@TearTheRoof0ff]

Roger turned pro in 1998, when Zverev was 1 year old. Holy crap.

[@shapeofillusion]

federer is true living legend

[@allenwang8659]

You sir, just got your hundredth like

[@academicmaniac4456]

Can't imagine how incredible it would feel to be playing against a legend still on top of the tennis game whom you met as a 5 year old.

[@spdcrzy]

It's similar to how a lot of F1 drivers are these days. The new generation of drivers quite literally grew up in the paddocks of Schumi, Kimi, Lewis, and the like.

[@asomind]

@@spdcrzy Seb is to Mick what Michael was to Seb

[@kalyanpm6803]

@@spdcrzy Ye. Kimi and Alonso raced with Michael. Next year, they're gonna race against Mick. It's insane.

[@sln7839]

Must have been unthinkable that they would play them one day.

[@sln7839]

Sasha took fedex word seriously that if he works hard, he’ll be playing together who knows?. Those words made him a tennis player. That’s the power of a champion’s words.

[@atiboyful]

Amazing how Fed and Nadal want to just crush each other on the court but once they are off the court, they honor each other with such great respect!

[@arvisjaggamar]

atiboyful Now if only all their fans could emulate their behavior...

[@atiboyful]

Sorry italkcrab but I am an older person and "crush" to me means "defeat without remorse".

[@mrwaqaszia]

Look at Nadal... True sportsman!

[@vickywoods8446]

Yup!

[@sebastiencomeau3520]

nadal is the GOAT

[@ScaramouchedaVinci]

Because he thought, Alex meant him. ;-) (no, a choke)

[@nenad...]

Novak is the G.O.A.T. Stolen 3 GS.

[@user-nb9de2fi7k]

Yes sir

[@ducockk]

His English is very good, impressed.

[@ranukanu28]

ducockk it’s better than Harry Kane’s English.

[@junonavo5270]

German and English are very similar

[@ranukanu28]

Salty Penous I’m talking about Harry Kane’s ENGLISH!

[@junonavo5270]

@@ranukanu28 I wasn't talking to YOU!!

[@johannesschulz942]

Zverev lived in the USA multiple years...

[@markiworthington6658]

This Roger / Rafa friendship brings goose bumps and tears to my eyes. Total rivals yet could stand above that and be total friends !! Am in awe of them.......why can't we have men like this running countries !!

[@wellaname221]

Cause only the greedy bastards that hungers for power do anything they can to become présidents

[@TorEtCetera]

SERIOUSLY. well said

[@eriktempelman2097]

Well done Alexander. And, not onky did you get to play him, but you actually beat him!

[@juice3185]

Erik Tempelman ....he's got class this kid he didn't have to mention that....

[@hoangsonphan566]

Yeah agree, I thought that he would mention it but at the end he just said about being in the same team as Roger. Such a humble guy

[@qwerttzizzi]

Imagine that..to meet your idol as a 5year old boy..and then end up playing against and with him..and becoming a friend to your idol..not just some kid who once wanted an autograph..thats life..

[@sharvaansharex]

I love these beautiful stories in sports. Who would have thought that young Zverev would actually go on to be top class and actually face Federer as he himself said.

[@enigat3799]

Qnd beat him hahaha..such a super great journey. I wish i were him

[@harshuttarwar1027]

The smile on Rafa's face...it just melted my heart...❤️

[@PROTLxONgame]

That was one of the sweetest things I have ever heard.

[@jackwoods9604]

99% of the World population ADORES Roger Federer...He is also VERY well Liked in the Locker room and on Tour Between all the Players...Such a Great Role Model

[@ajjrm]

The boy's got great personalty.

[@gigiugrekhelidze6146]

0:36 - Sasha - ,, and I was just looking at him ... '' he upped his head (sure, because he was just 5 years old) and asked for autograph, but now Roger ups his head when he faces him (sure, because now Sasha is 1.98 m) : ))

[@k.l.rf2032]

Who could've thought！

[@vidyasonavane9602]

😂 always treat everyone well!

[@AishiBhattacharyaOfficial]

Remember that one kid who asked him in an in interview.... The kid said, "I have a serious question, could you please keep playing for 20 more years so that I can play against you when I go pro"..... No wonder countless kids got inspired and a few of them made it. Alexander is one of them. And Roger , he'll always be that Amazing Charming GOAT no matter how many brilliant players come and go.

[@robbiinson]

And now, in 2021, Zverev is olympic winner! That is awesome!

[@lsmart]

Great to see that the young rising star who currently seems like the most likely candidate to join the ranks of the elite in the very near future, is also a classy guy.

[@njsfer]

Yes, not like Kyrgios... Zverev is not only a great player with immense talent, but also a classy guy. He's my favorite "future" top 3!

[@reenarawat5537]

@@njsfer yeah, 4 years and a domestic abuse allegation later, this comment doesn't really age well. Unbelievable talent tho.

[@AARYANNPATIL]

@@reenarawat5537 allegations denied after investigation

[@helenenieh]

Federer would never know that his words inspired this boy, the star of tomorrow ♥ #Sascha

[@maureenrobinson1105]

Great intro Alex and Roger loved it !!

[@JazzByDaBay]

I am amazed at the fact that Fed told him that we will play in the future, When he was just 5 years old. Wow.

[@softkorner3874]

Took autograph in 5 years old n plying with him he realy did lot of hard work 🙏

[@The_Curious_Cat]

Roger and Rafa are a true example of how to be rivals but still respect eachother and be friends.

[@hotstixx]

Roger seems like a genuine sweetie.

[@tyron4]

Great speech

[@rampram3612]

Zeverev has proved that he can also be in a part of big events like this...acc to me he might win min 8 grand slams in his career....

[@nataliedelagrandiere4022]

Sascha is adorable. He speaks English perfectly. I wish him a prompt recovery.

[@rl8971]

Always speaking from the heart- Zverev ❤

[@UnssenX]

That same Roger, almost another 2 years later after that Zverev's introduction is still at his finest and will tommorow challenge no other than Djoković in the 2019 Wimbledon Final.

[@Elephant1936]

kill me

[@viksinha5410]

Zverev is my favorite next gen player

[@DieBlaueKiwi]

zverev sounds like he would've been on tour for 20 years and longer. absolut legend this guy.

[@davidpanken]

This speech could not have been better

[@marcos.1481]

So nice, to see them in one Team: Federer, Nadal and Zverev.

[@aishalady3867]

I loved his speech! Also, Nadal's smile and Federer's joy were delightful to see! I love the bond between them, is so beautiful to see the legends and the future of tennis are getting so well and they respect each other!

[@karimmegaparis]

Super intro

[@enigat3799]

The cutest introduction :") brought me to tears 😭

[@narayananpoonoth9552]

Smile on rafa's face is really priceless

[@samarshad23]

Lol at 0:15 their smiles. It's like a classic shot from a sitcom where they're both thinking he must be talking about me.

[@juliomdecastro]

wow, what a great introduction. Is it possible he never told that story to Roger? It's also incredible that Zverev can keep his composure while playing Roger.

[@shubhamchamps8821]

One of the best intro well done gentleman sasha

[@hehetmon9570]

Dude only the ATP players can have such chill interactions Like I'm not even lying. They have such genuine friendships 😌✨

[@squeedum4893]

Pretty damn cool. Admiration for Roger, for being a legend. Admiration for Alex for the respect he showed. And just joy for Rafa for the sheer enjoyment he had for supporting his colleague, Roger. Rafa and Roger are such champions of the sport.

[@syren4731]

Zverev is so pretty, omg, if he weren’t a tennis player, he could be a model for sure…

[@slamandjam2]

this was awesome

[@JJ-zy3zv]

The Greatest of all time

[@JiminPalmSprings]

That was so sweet .... Sascha seems like a really nice young man!

[@harshuttarwar1027]

Sascha?...he's Alexander

[@Dark_Voice]

Especially when you hear the story about him and his brother. Really have to respect that guy.

[@user-jk4jj4nm1q]

@@harshuttarwar1027 I think Sascha is nickname to Alexander/Alexandra in Russian and maybe other languages

[@resathe6760]

@@harshuttarwar1027 Sascha is the russian nickname of people called Alexander. He is almost always called Sascha even from commentators when they use his first name instead of his last name.

[@FLG232]

Yes he is

[@joeyje5432]

Compared with kyrios....u got the attitudes man... well said

[@otmanemj7453]

Compared to kyrios evey tennis player in history have the attitudes lol

[@kumarprateek238]

@@otmanemj7453 mc enroe left the caht

[@joeyje5432]

This guy show his humbleness during roger introduction.... he will be good player one day... no doubt

[@MrJnta]

Alexander Zverev the future of Tennis.

[@vigulfmusicproduct]

Beautiful introduction Zverev:) And now yourself is "on of them". Good Work!

[@Mig9122]

NIce introduction Alexander. I wish you a future as bright as his...

[@DavidJohnson-yq4nz]

Roger oozes elegance charm charisma and style

[@tucker3601]

Must be a crazy feeling to meet your childhood idol, but also actually grow up and end up playing, and BEATING them

[@vidyasonavane9602]

Same as Roger did to Pete! Life cycle!

[@lightkairi096]

woah that was awesome Sascha :D

[@MichaelCosta74782]

This guy(Zverev)looks very cool and funny!Nice to see him on the courts....

[@chapeltibet4551]

Great to have this young man in the world of tennis.

[@giangho5933]

Love Alexander 💘💘

[@intldawn]

That really was brilliant. I love when athletes are gracious and take time to acknowledge their young fans. It’s so great they made that connection when Sascha was just a little boy and that he still remembers it that clearly all these years later. Surely that encounter inspired in him some way. Wonderful. And Roger has continued to mentor him even though they are competitors. Just great.

[@user-kp9cv9nr1r]

I love this , absolute gem

[@shsve]

wow i didn't know Alex could speak English that good great speach

[@maureenrobinson1105]

Sascha really shows in these words why all of the tennis players future, past and present hold Roger in such high esteem.As has been said no one especially Rafa showed any reason to disagree.

[@otmanemj7453]

now i think i know why i loved federer from 2010 till nowaday the eyebrows

[@cchadnelson]

The future GOAT introduces the current GOAT

[@89Dualstrike]

a bit early for expectations like future GOAT, but zverev clearly has the game to get there, 2:2 h2h with Roger, made some impressive runs this year, owned djokovic in rome and in the future he is going to play the grand slams better than this year, you can be sure about that, only 20 years old, give this guy 2-3 more years.

[@Dark_Voice]

@@sandere6593 I think Dimitrov was called baby-Fed mainly due to his style looking similar.

[@lenawidegren8076]

@@sandere6593 U G L Y What the h- ll ! What`s wrong with your eyes and mind ?

[@maxclicalb2372]

Sander E .......... At least he accomplished his dream. Hope yours are not in hateful KZbin comments.

[@davidtran8493]

Alex is a greatsportsman too!!

[@raymanbert740]

A lot of respect there and Alexander will be a great champion in the future!!

[@avatarzang2674]

Such a lovely moment in tennis. I wonder if we're looking at a potential coaching possibility should the GOAT step down from the throne of men's tennis

[@arvisjaggamar]

Avatar zang I wonder if Feddy could ever really teach what he's able to do, though? So much of it is just natural for him.

[@akhrormuminov7180]

Roger and Rafa are two guys who will dominate for 3, 4 years

[@Francois-C]

Ahror Muminov Hum, they've been dominating for over a decade already, I'm just saying.. Don't think they'll do 2 or 3 other seasons as good as this one..

[@andrewcharles7580]

François C Well said....

[@umangpoddar4183]

it's ironic how we have been saying this since the past 11 years. And if proving us wrong is what drives them, I think we'll all just wish for 3-4 years of dominance from both these legends for another decade of amazing sport

[@captainobvious5416]

Maybe Rafa but Roger... its tricky. Whether he admits it or not, age is getting to him

[@atiboyful]

If Jimmy Connors could do it, then Rafa and Roger can surely do it as well!

[@polasal0088]

Wow, this is absolutely beautiful!

[@Pfromm007]

What an incredible community we have in the sport of tennis.

[@Niko-rd2uz]

Legend!

[@sdarms111doug9]

That was really great

[@ryanguzman4480]

This is so wholesome

[@Uditexplores]

Amazing

[@lolkevandewitte1713]

This is pure gold...

[@HA-vv3lw]

Can't be touched. 👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@vintageaveee]

❤ such amazing memories! 😢

[@margareteburk147]

That was really sweet thank you

[@hondadude7]

i can’t imagine how humbling that could have felt

[@FreGZile]

So much class in this video....

[@juandanielmitre8528]

gracias x compartir ess emoción...

[@MoinMeister_187]

I love this video so much

[@brianno27]

great people supports each other.

[@debabrata171]

What an introductory speech Simply incredible....thnx alex and all hail roger

[@TorEtCetera]

ooof! these gentlemen look so sharp!

[@jamievidd775]

Love it! Great job, Sasha!

[@Neng1011]

Really nice introduction amazing speech...

[@ElfarodelSur]

Grandeza (Alexander)

[@airulnizam9]

Great intro.. simpler and inspiring

[@arturovasquez9720]

Excelente discurso... Generoso, sin envidia.

[@hamidurrahman1933]

Make it 20❤

[@kenyaadams9775]

I really like roger he is my inspiration I am in the process I will be a tennis 🎾 player the best ever

[@kepopol8556]

Thanks Roger for more than a decade of the best tennis 🎾

[@concepcionur2291]

Beatiful intro

[@brianpetkovic4579]

great tu alex

[@nazanfidan9417]

why this one made me cry

[@Erickfrancois12]

Both classy Man

[@Max-ox1fr]

I feel so blessed seeing federer vs nadal and messi vs cr7 era. All of them are undoubtedly great legends. Salute

[@charlesbromberick4247]

charming

[@panneetantinukul5658]

Both so cute!

[@geniusfollower]

how lucky are we to be alive when both Roger and Rafa played this beautiful sport. how lucky are we to watch them conduct themselves as absolute sportsmen. how lucky are we to hear Rafa smile and nod when someone calls his rival "the best of all time". how lucky are we to hear Roger call himself Rafa's number one fan. how lucky are we.