After 24 years on the ATP Tour, with 20 Grand Slam titles and 103 tournament wins worldwide to his name, Roger Federer played his final professional match on Friday night. The match was entertaining even though he and Nadal lost. This is what happened. This wasn't in the plan. They had a match point at 9-8 in the deciding tiebreak, but couldn't take it, and that's how the game ended. After the match, he said it had been a great day. I told the guys I was happy. I feel like it's a celebration. It's what I wanted. It's not the end of a story, but it doesn't matter. It was a great match, and a great career for the man. Team World triumphs in the doubles. The moment @JackSock92 and @FTiafoe defeat Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/aHLDM4GCij
Couldn't quite close the deal
The Americans played a great tiebreak to take the second set. The final match will be decided by a 10 point margin.
The most exciting part of the changeovers was when one man removed about 10 shirts to the sound of "Mony Mony."
Shirts off for Fedal. #LaverCup | @usopen | @cameroncheers pic.twitter.com/D8NGhBiP7E
โ Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2022
The first break point of the match goes to Team World on the Nadal serve, and then two points later, he nails a volley to stay in front at 4-5. After two groundstrokes, he broke and took the first set.
At 40-15 on his serve, he hits the ball through a small hole in the net on a passing shot. He held serve even though he lost the point. Does he have to stop working?
There's a first for everything ๐#LaverCup | @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/ToNEwy0lId
โ Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2022
My eye isn't bad. He said that he saw it go through.
The big video screen at the changeover shows his rivals and family. It will be hard for him to get through this.
The crowd goes nuts when Team World wins points, but it's not a carnival atmosphere. They have both won Olympic gold medals in doubles, with Stan Wawrinka and Nadal. This won't be easy for the two people.
The first night match lasted a bit longer than expected, as Alex de Minaur finally bested Murray, but we are now ready for the final match. Anna Wintour, Stan Smith and Hugh Grant are just some of the celebrities in the house. The coin toss is done by Edberg, who was a coach for two years for the tennis player.
When it's a winner, every shot that Federer hits is being met with loud cheers. He wants it to be a celebration.
Team Europe pre-match rituals.@rogerfederer x @RafaelNadal #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/Y15uS9yPHi
โ Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2022
Due to the lengthy battle between Murray and de Minaur in the first match of the night, Murray and Nadal had to wait longer than expected to play. The delay provided an opportunity for some truly epic moments between the two legends as they watched each other from the backstage area.
Federer and Nadal are *this* invested in Murray's fate as they prepare for their doubles match. #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/RkaYliOmqu
โ Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2022
I've done this thousands of times, but this one feels different. Thank you to everybody who's coming tonight. pic.twitter.com/lmPWTNzjbn
โ Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 23, 2022
This is the second time that the two men have played doubles together. They faced Sock and Sam Querrey at the inaugural Laver Cup.
During the event, he revealed that he and Nadal had only practiced together once. They both won their singles matches earlier in the day but the duo still won the match. Many highlight-worthy points, and even more laughs, high-fives and Gif-worthy celebrations were part of the show.
The partnership was something Nadal had been wanting to do for a long time.
It's a huge honor to have Roger next to me, and something I wanted to do at some point. The ideal day to make that happen was today.
After revealing that his recovery from his knee surgery wouldn't be as good as he had hoped, the tennis player decided to retire.
The career of one of the greatest men's tennis players of all time is over. He won eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Opens, five US Opens and one French Open title.
To my tennis family and beyond,With Love,
Roger pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NIN
โ Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022
The 41-year-old, who says he hopes to play exhibition matches in the future and has promised to stay close to tennis, said on Thursday he was looking forward to playing with Nadal.
It's really special playing with him. It doesn't feel the same." It has been an amazing experience to walk out on the court and play with some of the greatest players of all time. It's going to be great to be able to do that again. I will try my hardest. I hope to do well. It will be difficult but I will enjoy it.
He said he cannot wait.
"After all we shared together on and off the court, to be part of this historic moment is going to be something amazing, unforgettable for me," he stated.
For the first time in the history of the tournament, there are five players.
They have won 66 Grand Slam titles and played in many Grand Slam finals.
heading to dinner with some friends @RafaelNadal @andy_murray @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/2oYR3hnGaZ
โ Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 22, 2022
It was nice to have them on his side.
He said he was excited to have them on his team and not have to play against them.
Murray was supposed to play on Friday before the doubles match.
"I think the atmosphere is going to be incredible, playing in the night session is going to be really special," he said.
Team Europe, led by Bjorn Borg, have won all four previous editions against Team World.
Europe routed Team World 14-1 last year and went into the match as the favorite.
There may be a window of opportunity with the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime in his line-up.
"Bjorn's got a dream team, but you've got Roger announcing his retirement, Andy struggling to get back to as healthy as before and Rafa's wife expecting a baby, so that gives us some hope."
Open arms for Team World on #LaverCup Open Practice Day pic.twitter.com/CHDN6plwyK
โ Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 22, 2022
Each day consists of four matches, three singles and one doubles, with each win earning one point on Friday, two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday. A deciding fifth match will be played if the first team to 13 points is the winner.
The third set is a 10-point tiebreak.
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