Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the remainder of The Laver Cup, it has been confirmed. The Spaniard arrived in London on Thursday morning and partnered Roger Federer for his farewell match last night.
But the event revealed the 36-year-old will take no further part this weekend, with a tweet confirming: “Rafael Nadal withdrew for personal reasons. He will be replaced by Cameron Norrie." The 22-time grand slam champion explained the reason behind his withdrawal in the post-match press conference.
“I am not doing well. It's been a tough time for me, I hardly slept, I was stressed,” he said. “Luckily everything is okay and I was able to get here.” Norrie is set to contest his first match at the Laver Cup later today against Taylor Fritz.
The world number three was left an emotional wreck as he sobbed for his great rival and friend as his glittering career came to an end. The Swiss Maestro has been vital to Nadal's career and vice versa, as the pair’s scintillating matches throughout their careers took tennis to new heights. The former world number one felt honoured to share Federer’s last match with him.
“It has been a difficult day to handle every single thing, and at the end everything become super emotional,” he said. “For me, it has been a huge honour to be a part of this amazing moment of the history of our sport. When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too. In the end, it was a very special day and a happy day for everyone.
"I'm very happy that after many difficult moments in recent times, he was able to retire on the court, in front of so many people, with the world enjoying watching him one last time. He deserved that. An icon is leaving, one of the most important icons in the history of all of sport."
Despite what he is going through personally, Nadal felt it important to partner his pal as he made his tennis swan song. "It was important for me because I knew it was important for him," the Spaniard said. "I have had a personal relationship with him for some time.
"It was important for him to retire on the court and I couldn't miss this day, so here I am, even beyond the personal circumstances I was going through." Federer has bowed out from the sport after winning 103 titles, 20 of which are grand slams and five year end number one titles and a record 237 consecutive weeks at the summit of the rankings.
Following a video tribute, a performance from Ellie Goulding and a tearful post-match speech, Federer hung up his racket after 24 glorious years at the age of 41. Tennis will certainly not be the same without him.
