Roger Federer’s final match of his ATP career ended in defeat, as he and Rafael Nadal lost to Team World’s Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in their doubles encounter at the 2022 Laver Cup.
After taking the first set, the Swiss-Spanish duo lost the second in a tiebreaker before going on to lose the contest in the match tiebreaker. With the 6-4, 6(2)-7, 9-11 loss, the 20-time Grand Slam champion bid adieu to tennis after spending the last 24 years serving the sport.
An elaborate farewell ceremony was arranged for the former World No. 1 at the O2 arena, one that got the better of him emotionally. After holding in his tears for a long time, the 41-year-old burst into tears once the realization that he will never again play a competitive match set in, the same realization that also hit the rest of his teammates.
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and others were spotted crying their hearts out at the ceremony, a sentiment shared by members of Team World as well as the fans assembled in London to watch them put on a show. Thankfully, Federer had some emotional support to get through the moment, as he was joined by his wife Mirka and their children.
