A tearful Roger Federer paid tribute to his wife Mirka and declared himself “happy and not sad” despite bringing his professional career to an end with defeat in the Laver Cup doubles alongside Rafael Nadal. The 20-time grand-slam champion announced last week he would bow out from competitive tennis with one final match at the Ryder Cup-style competition which was his brainchild.
London was the destination for the fifth edition of the Laver Cup, the city for some of Federer’s greatest triumphs, but the Swiss superstar could not add one more victory to his illustrious CV. Team World duo Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe proved the pantomime villains with a 4-6 7-6 (2) 11-9 victory at the O2 but it was still a celebration for the 41-year-old.
Federer enjoyed a lengthy hug with old sparring partner Nadal, who was also later in tears, at the conclusion of the match before he was given one final standing ovation by a sold-out crowd despite the clock being well beyond midnight.
