Roger Federer was given a standing ovation as he calmly walked onto court ahead of his final match before retiring in London tonight.
The Swiss tennis icon will partner 22-time Grand Slam title winner Rafael Nadal in a doubles match against Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe this evening. It is set to be a special occasion for the 41-year-old who appeared relaxed before being introduced onto court ahead of the tournament's opening match today.
Federer had previously spoken of his wish to play alongside Spaniard Nadal in his final match and team captain Bjorn Borg granted him that with a final doubles match in front of a packed crowd.
The pressure has been lifted from Federer going into tonight's match after as Team Europe won both singles matches in the opening session. Firstly Casper Rudd won the opening singles match against Jack Sock 6-4, 5-7, 10-7. That was followed by Stefanos Tsitsipas beating Diego Schwartzman convincingly 6-2, 6-1, in a match which was briefly stopped due to a court invader.
Andy Murray is next on court facing Australian Alex de Minaur in a singles match at 7pm before the match everybody has been waiting for as Federer and Nadal face Sock and Tiafoe.
"It's been all smiles and laughs so far but I'm sure there'll be some tears when Roger steps off the court for the first time," said world number two Rudd after winning the opening match of the tournament.
"One of the greatest of all time, no matter what sport. Up there as one of the all-time greats, not just a tennis player."
The tennis world was caught by surprise when Federer revealed last week that the Laver Cup would be the final match of his career. Fans have been rushing to get tickets resulting in prices rising to a staggering level.
Renowned tennis reporter Jon Wertheim has released figures of resale prices, with a ticket in Row D going for a mere £45,090. "People with tickets will have probably some of the best times of their life," added Rudd.
