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What Tom Brady said about Roger Federer after he retired from tennis in 2022

Originally posted on HITC | By Callum Davies | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 6:58 PM ET

Roger Federer was one in a long line of superstar celebrities in attendance at the Super Bowl just last week, watching the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots.

Naturally, there is no better representative for the tennis community, given that the Swiss legend is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

His popularity extends far beyond just tennis, with a brand that transcends sport entirely.

It is always refreshing to see these retired heroes of the game enjoy themselves after calling time on their careers, and Federer clearly did so on Sunday.

However, this was not the first Super Bowl that he had attended.

What did Tom Brady say after Roger Federer retired?

When Federer retired in 2022, it sent ripples around the sporting world.

After all, one of tennis’ greats was calling time on a glittering career, with his impact on the sport immeasurable.

It will have been comforting to see Tom Brady, someone whom he clearly respects massively, speak so kindly about him after making his announcement.

The legendary American quarterback claimed: “Phenomenal. Just a great player.

“He’s just a great competitor, and I think all those guys … We all work so hard, I think. We all do. I’m sure you guys do too.

Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Fanatics

“You’re at the top of your profession, too. We’re all just working hard trying to be the best we can be at it, and he had a great run.

“Always respectful of everybody, and it meant a lot. He cared a lot. He maximised his opportunities. That’s all we can all ask of ourselves.”

Roger Federer speaks about watching the Super Bowl

Speaking to the official NFL social media, the 44-year-old actually shared his favourite memory associated with the sport’s biggest game.

Federer claimed: “I was at the Super Bowl in ’08 in Arizona when Tom Brady was going for the perfect season and then we had the catch, I remember, on the helmet, from the Giants to win the game that Eli Manning passed.

Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

“So that was my favourite memory obviously of being in the stadium.”

Other celebrities in attendance include Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian, while Bad Bunny, who performed the half-time show, had stars like Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba and Cardi B on stage with him.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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