- 24 Comments
Roger Federer played his final match Friday night in London.
In front of a full house of over 17,000 at the O2 Arena, Federer teamed with longtime rival and friend Rafael Nadal for his final match.
In the first doubles of the Laver Cup event — which Federer helped create — Federer and Nadal fell to Team World’s duo of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9.
While Federer played well — arguably better than Nadal who struggled at the end of the second set — the match result and competition were secondary. This was a night to celebrate Federer.
The crowd chanted Roger’s name as Federer showed flashes throughout, and early on his hit a ball between the netpost and the net, a shot that rarely if ever had been seen.
There's a first for everything š#LaverCup | @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/ToNEwy0lId
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2022
But the legends fell just short on their bid to put Team Europe up 3-1.
Federer acknowledged the crowd afterward. Wiping tears away, he would bring his team out to thank the fans. And then he would break down further during the on-court interview with Jim Courier.
If there's one thing you watch today, make it this.#LaverCup | @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/Ks9JqEeR6B
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2022
āItās been a wonderful day ā Iām happy, not sad. I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time, I knew everything I did was going to be for the last time. I feared something would go wrong ā my calf would go or my back would lock ā but I made it through.
“My wife’s been so supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago, but she didn’t. She kept me going and allowed me to play. It’s amazing. Thank you.”
Federer was later greeted on the court by his wife, kids, parents and the rest of his friends and family.
“It does feel like a celebration,ā Federer would say. “Itās what I wanted it to be, so thank you. Itās been a perfect journey, Iād do it all over again.ā Most people in the tennis world would love to see it all over again.”
Even Nadal and others were in tears.
How are we getting over this? @rogerfederer | @RafaelNadal | #RForever pic.twitter.com/cpOfSznp4X
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 24, 2022
Itās simpleā¦.
Tonight we said thank you @rogerfederer ā¦.THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/us2fwGLG8N
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) September 24, 2022
The doubles loss leveled the tie 2-2 after the first day. But the World’s power players will be up on Saturday. Although Rafael Nadal has apparently withdrawn from the event and Andy Murray, who lost on Friday to Alex De Minaur, is not scheduled.
SATURDAY LAVER CUP SCHEDULE
O2 ArenaĀ Starts At 1:00 Pm
Matteo Berrettini v Felix Auger-Aliassime
Cameron Norrie v Taylor Fritz
Not Before 7:00 Pm
Novak Djokovic v Frances Tiafoe
Matteo Berrettini/Novak Djokovic v Alex de Minaur/Jack Sock
You Might Like:
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Lead Laver Cup Exo Teams
Rod Laver: Novak Djokovic And Roger Federer Are Equals In The GOAT Debate
Laver Cup Opens Play Friday With Zverev v Shapovalov; Nadal In Doubles
Tennis Announces Ryder Cup-Clone Laver Cup With Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal
After Laver Cup, Nick Kyrgios Will Not Play Again In 2021