There’s only one tennis tournament in the world where Novak Djokovic raises his fist when Rafael Nadal wins a point, and that’s the Laver Cup. And there is only one tennis player on earth who, even after 24 years, in the last match of his career, is able to hit a shot that he has never produced before. And his name is Roger Federer, whom tennis also said goodbye to as a person.
Roger Federer missed 14 months with injury, the longest period of his long career, but Andy Murray’s prolonged match meant that even his last match had to wait much longer than originally planned. The Swiss classic – according to his wish – played with his good friend, one of his biggest rivals, Rafael Nadal, in doubles at the Laver Cup against the American pair of Frances Tiafoe / Jack Sock.
We wrote in detail about the farewell and the end of Roger Federer’s career here.
Roger Federer’s career ended with a defeat. The pair with Rafael Nadal lost 4:6, 7:6, 11-9 to the American pair of Frances Tiafoe/Jack Sock. (Photo: MTI/EPA/ANDY RAIN)
A pin could not have been dropped in the packed O2 Arena, and it was palpable that the celebration of tennis was about to begin, as a duo that together won 42 Grand Slam trophies and dominated men’s tennis for two decades took to the court. In the first set, we even saw a shot from Federer that perhaps never before, because his palm did not get stuck in the net on a short ball, but went through the small gap next to the iron to the other side of the court. It was spectacular and special, of course, according to the rules, the point still went to the Americans regardless.
During a sit-down at the end of the first set, Novak Djokovic gave Nadal some advice, which paid off, they won the opening game 6:4. The second set brought a closer fight, the Americans equalized in a tie-break, so the last few ball games of Roger Federer’s career could follow. In the super tie-break that decided the match, it was already felt that Rafael Nadal also fought with all his might for his friend’s beautiful farewell, which eventually became a bit of a routine. Because the dream-like farewell, i.e., ending with victory, was missed, even though the legendary duo had a match ball. However, one of, if not the biggest, bane of Federer’s career was the number of matches, 22, that he lost on match point(s). This was also the case on July 14, 2019, in the last Grand Slam final of his career, in which he lost to Novak Djokovic.
But this time the match ball didn’t matter, because it wasn’t about that, but about what came after the match. Because thanks to Roger Federer, we were able to experience countless things in tennis that we had never experienced before, and even during his farewell match, such a moment came. There have been examples of the Swiss breaking down in tears, this was also the case after the Australian Open final he lost in 2009 and won in 2018, but we have never seen Rafael Nadal almost sob, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andy Murray in tears. hugs Roger Federer, and the farewell classic also searches for words in the midst of emotion for several minutes. And all at once, in one moment. Because that’s what tennis meant to him, and he meant to tennis.
As European team captain Björn Borg put it during the Laver Cup weekend: “No player is bigger than tennis itself, but what Federer has done for this sport is amazing.” And indeed, even the Swiss did not grow above the sport, but that tennis will be less without him from tomorrow, it is quite certain.
Cover image:
In tears: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. (Photo: MTI/EPA/ANDY RAIN)
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