Andy Murray fears Roger Federer's supreme talent might make coaching a struggle

Swiss great has been guarded about what lies ahead after retirement

An emotional Roger Federer, left, of Team Europe sits alongside his playing partner Rafael Nadal after their Laver Cup doubles match against Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the O2 Arena in London on Friday, September 23, 2022. AP

Roger Federer struggles to contain his tears after the Laver Cup match on Friday. Federer lost the doubles match with Nadal, marking the end of an illustrious career that included 20 Grand Slam titles. AP

Roger Federer wipes away his tears at the O2 Arena in London. PA

Roger Federer acknowledges the crowd after playing his final professional match during the Laver Cup in London on Friday. AP

Roger Federer is hoisted by Team Europe teammates after playing his final match. AFP

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal wipe away their tears in London. AFP

Team Europe's Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer during their doubles match against Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. Reuters

Roger Federer during his doubles match with Rafael Nadal. Reuters

Roger Federer shakes hands with USA's Jack Sock of Team World after their Laver Cup doubles match at the O2 Arena in London. AFP

Rafael Nadal of Team Europe during the doubles match. Getty

Roger Federer hits a return. AFP

An emotional Roger Federer is embraced by his wife Mirka. AP

Roger Federer embraces his wife Mirka and their children. AP

A fan in tears after Team Europe's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal lose their Laver Cup doubles match. AP

Roger Federer of Team Europe is embraced by his wife Mirka. AP

Team World's Jack Sock, left, and Frances Tiafoe react after winning a point against Team Europe's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. AP

Andy Murray has said that the depth of Roger Federer's talent might make it tough for him to become a coach after his retirement.

Federer called time on his professional tennis career at the Laver Cup at the weekend after playing doubles with old rival Rafael Nadal on Friday in his final competitive match.

Federer, who won 20 Grand Slams in his glittering career, ripped up the record books and is widely-regarded as the finest player ever to wield a racket.

Murray, who lost three Grand Slam finals to the Swiss great, was part of Team Europe that suffered a 13-8 loss to Team World in the Ryder Cup-style tournament to ensure Federer, 41, was denied one final trophy.

Federer has hinted that he would like to play exhibition events but has been guarded about the chances of moving into coaching at some point in the future.

“I'm sure if he was to coach one day, which he obviously doesn't need to – he'd pick players that I'd imagine he'd be motivated to be coaching in the big matches and helping there,” Murray told reporters at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday.

“The one thing that is I think difficult when you are as talented and have as many options as him is to remember that not everybody can do the things that he did.

“He had the ability to play everything and he had so many options at his disposal that that's the challenging thing also as a coach sometimes, especially someone in his position.”

Three-time Slam winner Murray backed Federer as a future Laver Cup captain after Bjorn Borg indicated the sixth edition in Vancouver next year could be his last.

“I'm sure Roger is going to stay involved in the event in some capacity and maybe one day captain the team,” Murray added.

“Look, he's great on the side [coaching]. He watches a lot of tennis, he loves the game. For ex-players that go into coaching, I think that's important to sort of stay current and know a lot of the players.”

Murray made his Laver Cup debut in London, joining other members of the “Big Four” – Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic in competing for Team Europe.

Djokovic also expressed his hope that Federer would turn his hand to coaching. “I think that Roger can offer a lot,” he said. “I mean … it's logical to expect him to be able to share so many useful and valuable things with anybody really.

“If he ever would consider doing that, I'm sure that he's going to bring a lot of positive things to the improvement of that player, whether male or female, in every aspect on and off the court.

“He's undoubtedly one of the greatest players to play the game, the way he played it, with his style and effortlessness.”