"Still Feel I Belong There": Roger Federer Admits He Took Retirement Early

Roger Federer retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador.

Tennis great Roger Federer said on Wednesday staying involved with the sport in retirement helped him avoid feeling "like an alien" ahead of this week's Laver Cup tournament in Berlin. Federer who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. "I'm happy I went back right away to some tournaments," the 43-year-old told reporters.

"I feel I ripped the bandaid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there.

"I don't feel like an alien, which is a good thing because you can feel like that very quickly.

"People (and) players ask you 'what are you doing here?' and you're like 'exactly -- if you keep talking like this, I will never come back'."

"I'm happy I'm still able to feel comfortable in a setting like this because it would be so much easier just to stay home, get comfortable at home and realise you don't need to be on tour anymore."