After losing the doubles match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, in which he partnered longtime adversary Rafa Nadal, 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer said an emotional farewell to tennis.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner lost the double’s match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, where he partnered long-time rival Rafa Nadal. The pair representing Team Europe went down 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 9-11 against Team World at the Laver Cup in London.
The outcome seemed like a formality since social media users were drawn to the photo of Federer and Nadal crying together. Numerous followers have posted the touching scene along with their thoughts, and former India captain Virat Kohli was also moved by the event.
Kohli expressed an emotional homage to both of the tennis icons on Twitter after sharing the photo. “Who would have believed adversaries could feel this way towards one another. The appeal of sports is that. For me, this is the most gorgeous sports image I’ve ever seen. You understand why you’ve been able to use your god-given skill when your companions start to grieve for you. Respect only for these two,” he tweeted.
Following the match, Federer hugged Nadal, Tiafoe, and Sock before breaking down in tears. This event was captured on camera. Federer’s final competitive tennis match was played, while Nadal struggled to contain his tears as well.
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) also expressed appreciation for the occasion and released a GIF showing the two tennis greats crying while seated next to one another. “How are we overcoming this? @RafaelNadal | @rogerfederer | #RForever, “ATP tweeted.
Although Federer and Nadal are considered to be close friends off the court, they are some of the most ferocious competitors. the past twenty years, have ruled the tennis world.
At an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Miami in 2004, Federer first encountered Nadal, and the rest is history. After that, they faced off against each other a total of 40 times, or another 39 times.
When comparing the head-to-head records, Nadal triumphed 24 times while Federer won 16 games.
Federer retired from professional tennis after an accomplished career that included 1,251 matches and 103 ATP singles titles. For 310 weeks during his illustrious career, the Swiss player topped the ATP Rankings.
