AN emotional Roger Federer broke down in tears after Diego Maradona sent him a heartwarming message, saying: “You will always be the greatest”.
The Swiss tennis legend, 38, is currently touring South America playing a series of exhibition matches with German star Alexander Zverev.
And ahead of his match in Argentina, football great Maradona, 59, paid tribute to the 20-time Grand Slam champion – just days after quitting as manager of Gimnasia.
Maradona had been invited to the exhibition clash, but was unable to make it – instead sending a video message, broadcast on the big screen.
In the clip, Maradona said: Hello master, machine, like I call you.
“You were, you are, and will always be the greatest. There is no other like you.
“I want you to know that if you have any kind of trouble in my country, you can call me and tell me what you need.
A clearly-overwhelmed Federer could be seen welling up over the extraordinary praise.
Despite opting for the “friendly” games in South America, Federer insists he has absolutely no plans to retire.
When asked, Fed replied: “My retirement is going to depend on my health. At this moment I see no reason to stop.
“I think in 2009 I questioned it for the first time. [It’s been] ten years and here I am. I’m exactly where I wanted to be at this age.
“It is a lot of work stay. I expected to play until 35-36 and here I am, in a new dimension.”
As well as matches in Argentina, the pair will play in Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador – in a bid to bring elite tennis to a part of the world where few ATP tournaments are held.
Federer is also planning an exhibition match with Rafa Nadal in South Africa – the country of his mother’s birth – in 2020.
Zverev controversially snubbed the inaugural Davis Cup Finals in Madrid to play in the series of matches with Federer.
But he said the opportunity to travel and play with Federer was a huge motivation – while admitting a host of his sporting heroes are Argentinian.
Zverev revealed: “I want to meet [Maradona]. There are many great Argentinean sportsmen.
“[Lionel] Messi, Maradona, Manu Ginobili [basketball]… there is always someone standing out and you have to see with the passion in this country.
“Here every sports event is a hit. You know that if you come to Argentina or if you face an opponent from this country, the crowd is packed.
“There is not anything better than this. It’s a dream come true. Sitting here with Roger is unbelievable. He has always been my idol.”
