Nadal can't hold back the tears as rival Federer bids farewell
Rafael Nadal can’t hold back the tears as rival Roger Federer bids an emotional farewell to tennis after his final ever match ended in defeat by Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup
- Tennis superstar Roger Federer brought his illustrious career to an end on Friday
- Federer’s emotional farewell also brought long-time rival Rafael Nadal to tears
- The legend and partner Nadal were defeated by Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe
- The Laver Cup men’s doubles clash was decided with an 11-9 match tiebreak
Rafael Nadal broke down in tears for his great rival Roger Federer as the 20-time Grand Slam winner bid farewell to tennis.
The pair teamed up to take on Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the Laver Cup on Friday night and the four players produced a match for the ages at the O2 Arena in London.
Team World duo Sock and Tiafoe proved the pantomime villains with a 4-6 7-6 (2) 11-9 victory at the O2 but it was still a celebration for the 41-year-old.
Rafael Nadal broke down in tears for his great rival Roger Federer as he bid farewell to tennis
The duo were captured crying as they sat next to one another after his final match in London
Despite Federer’s final match ending in defeat, it was still a celebration for the 41-year-old
Federer was brought to tears at the end of the match as he brought the curtains down on his illustrious career.
Not only was the Swiss maestro crying, his long-time rival Nadal also shed some tears, as they enjoyed a lengthy hug at the conclusion of the match before he was given one final standing ovation by a sold-out crowd despite the clock being well beyond midnight.
The duo were also captured crying as they sat next to one another while two-time BRIT Award winner Ellie Goulding performed.
Federer and Nadal enjoyed a lengthy hug at the conclusion of the match at the Laver Cup
Federer and playing partner Rafael Nadal were defeated by Jack Sock (left) and Frances Tiafoe
Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Jim Courier called the former world No 1 over for the on-court interview post match.
‘We’ll get through this somehow,’ Federer said on-court.
‘Look, it has been a wonderful day. I told the guys I’m happy, I’m not sad. It feels great to be here and I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time.
‘Everything was the last time. Funny enough with all the matches, being with the guys and having family and friends, I didn’t feel the stress so much even if I felt something would go during the match. I am so glad I made it through and the match was great. I couldn’t be happier.
Nadal and Federer played alongside each other in his final match at the O2 Arena in London
‘Of course playing with Rafa on the same team, having all the guys here, the legends, Rocket (Rod Laver), Stefan Edberg, thank you.
‘It does feel like a celebration to me. I wanted to feel like this at the end and it is exactly what I hoped for so thank you.
‘It has been a perfect journey and I would do it all over again…’
Federer had to fight back the tears before he thanked wife Mirka, who has watched him battle through a succession of knee operations before he finally admitted defeat in his pursuit to come back last week.
He added: ‘Thank you everybody. I’ve had so many people cheer me on and you guys here tonight mean the world.
‘My wife has 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 so thank you. She is amazing.’
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