LONDON: Roger Federer described his tennis career as “a great journey” despite denying a fairytale ending to a doubles defeat to Rafael Nadal at the Lever Cup earlier on Saturday.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion has not played since the 2021 Wimbledon quarter-finals due to a knee injury and announced his retirement at the age of 41 last week.
Despite a long period of enforced inactivity, the Swiss showed glimpses of his old silky self in the match against Team World’s Francis Tiafoe and Jack Sock at London’s O2 arena.
Playing alongside long-time friend and rival Nadal, the two former world No. 1s won the first set to the delight of a raucous, partisan crowd, but the American prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 11 Achieved success. -9.
The result meant that Team Europe was tied 2-2 with Team World at the end of the opening day of the Ryder Cup-style event.
“We’ll get through this somehow, shall we? Right?” Federer broke down during an emotional farewell on court after the match.
“I’m happy, I’m not sad. It’s great to be here and I enjoyed lacing up my boots again. Everything was for the last time. The match was great, I couldn’t be happier. . It was great. “
‘Thanks’
Federer has enjoyed a storied rivalry with Spain’s Nadal, 36, spanning nearly two decades – together they won 42 Grand Slam singles titles in the golden age of the men’s game.
But in the opening match late Friday they were on the same side of the net in a fitting farewell for Federer, who turned professional nearly a quarter of a century ago.
There was a loud roar and a standing ovation as the Swiss great and Nadal arrived on the black court, dressed in blue shirts and white shorts, both wearing white headbands.
Both doubles pairs start the match quite comfortably, breaking out at 3-3 with chants of “Let’s go Roger, let’s go”.
Federer and Nadal grabbed their first break points in the 10th game, winning the first set when Sock netted with a backhand to great cheer.
The Americans easily tied the match by taking the second set tiebreak.
In a nerve-wracking match tiebreak, Federer was unable to serve for the match at 9-8, with Tiafoe and Sock winning the next three points to seal victory.
The Swiss was overcome with emotion afterwards, hugging teammate Nadal and waving to the crowd.
“Playing with Rafa in the same team, and having the boys, everyone here, all the legends… thank you,” said Federer, who was joined by his parents, wife Mirka and their four children.
“It feels like a celebration for me,” he added. “That’s how I wanted to feel at the end and it’s exactly what I was hoping for, so thank you. It has been a great trip and I would do it again.”
Nadal, also visibly emotional, said it was difficult to handle the intensity of the occasion.
“For me, it’s a great honor to be a part of this amazing moment in the history of our sport, as well as sharing so many things together over so many years,” said the Spaniard.
“When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life also leaves.”
The six-man Team Europe also includes Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – the other two members of the so-called “Big Four” that have dominated the men’s game for so many years.
Federer left ‘Void’
Italy’s Matteo Beratini will replace Federer at the weekend, with the Swiss great opting not to play singles matches.
Europe has won the last four editions of the Laver Cup and took a 2-0 lead after the opening session in London, courtesy of wins by Norway’s Kasper Rudd and Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas stopped a dramatic on-court protest by a protester who set his arm on fire to protest the use of private jets to beat Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 6-2, 6-1.
Murray suffered a 5-7, 6-3, 10-7 loss to Alex de Manor in the evening session before all eyes turned to Federer.
The Swiss is leaving the stage 19 years after winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003.
He retired with a men’s record eight Wimbledon crowns, a total of 103 titles and more than $130 million in prize money, all won with a game of extraordinary elegance and precision.
Both Nadal (22) and Djokovic (21) have surpassed Federer’s tally of Grand Slam titles, but Team World captain John McEnroe said Federer’s retirement “will leave a void that can never be filled.” Will”.
