The crowd give Federer one final standing ovation of his career as the tears flow. "He has served as such a big inspiration to me and to so many other players," Djokovic says in the video. "Roger, Roger," the crowd begins chanting as a video celebrating Federer's career plays in the arena. There are tears aplenty – from Federer, Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and many in the crowd. I wanted to feel like this at the end and it's exactly what I hoped for." 12:31am - Federer tribute "It's been a pleasure playing all these Laver Cups and it does feel like a celebration to me. To say goodbye as a team, I was always a team player at heart… singles doesn't really do that a whole lot, but I had a team that travelled with me around the world so thanks to them."įederer then names all his Team Europe teammates. It felt lonely out there for a second when they wanted me to come out one more time. Rocket (Rod Laver), Edberg – Stefan, thank you. Of course, playing with Rafa on the same team, having the guys – everybody – here, all the legends. The match was great, I couldn't be happier. With all the matches and having the guys being here, fans family, friends, I didn't feel the stress so much, even though I did think something was going to go! "I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time, and everything was the last time. It feels great to be here," Federer says, his voice cracking with emotion. We're about to hear from the Swiss legend. He also thanks his parents, who are watching on in the crowd. She kept me going and allowed me to play, it's amazing. "She could have stopped me a long, long time ago but she didn't. "My wife's been so supportive," Federer says before struggling to compose himself. Mirka, his wife, is also in tears court-side. It means the world."įederer is asked about his family and jokes through tears: "we have to go there?" "Thank you everybody, I've had so many people cheer me on. The still-full O2 Arena cheers the Swiss one more time. "It's been a perfect journey" since the start, Federer says. It's still a full house, nearing 1am.Īs music artiste Ellie Goulding takes to the stage to perform, that's where we'll leave our coverage this evening. "Love you all, it's been an amazing journey" are Federer's final words to the crowd.Īnd with that, the crowd erupts into another chant of "Roger, Roger". It's been wonderful."ġ2:44am - Full house hanging around for Federer With all the matches and having the guys being here, fans family, friends, I didn't feel the stress so much. It feels great to be here," Federer said after his last match, his voice cracking with emotion. The Swiss was raucously cheered onto court – and then off court – by a packed O2 Arena in the British capital. But the Americans Sock and Tiafoe saved the point before going on to win 4–6 7–6 –. It seemed the scriptwriters had set it up perfectly, with Federer serving on match point in a match tiebreak. The 41-year-old signed off after a 24-year career with an epic 2-hour, 12-minute three-set defeat to Team World's **Jack Sock **and Frances Tiafoe. But I could feel the pain", he told the Associated Press in a recent interview, while speaking of the emotions that he went through after announcing his retirement.Roger Federer signed off from tennis on Friday (23 September) in an epic doubles match alongside long-time rival and friend **Rafael Nadal **at the 2022 Laver Cup in London. "I kind of held it in at first, then fought it off. His last match will see him pair with his longtime rival and friend Rafael Nadal for a doubles match against Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the Laver Cup, playing for Team Europe.Īt 41 years of age, Roger Federer will bid farewell to tennis after winning 20 Grand Slam titles and over 100 ATP singles titles as well, just a round and illustruous career for the Swiss.įederer admitted that when he came to the conclusion that this was the best decision, it was sad at first for him personally. Rushmore of greatest tennis players of all time. This day will forever be remembered as the last time Roger Federer stepped on a tennis court to play in an official match before retiring for good, after having perhaps the most succesful career in history, but certainly among the Mt.
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