Razeen Gutta
All-time tennis great Roger Federer teamed up with his rival Rafael Nadal for his final professional match at the Laver Cup in London.
The result in the doubles match against Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe did not go their way after a 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 11-9 defeat, but the Swiss said that the journey was absolutely “perfect”.Â
In a career which recorded over 30 matches against Nadal, some of the 41-year-old’s best moments came against the Spanish great and vice versa.
Federer said that it was an honour to play with him instead of against him, as he took his final bow with an array of tennis legends watching on in London.
“Of course, playing with Rafa on the same team and having the guys, everybody here, all the legends – thank you,” Federer said following an emotional moment post-match.
“We’ll get through this somehow. 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.
“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.”
Image source: @AustralianOpen
