It wasn’t the way Roger Federer wanted to end his 20-time Grand Slam singles title career, but it was still an emotional night on Friday as Federer played his final professional match.
After winning the first set, Federer and doubles partner Rafael Nadal — who spent most of their careers as rivals — fell in a tiebreaker to Team World’s Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in Federer’s lone match at the Laver Cup in London.
Federer ranks second all-time in ATP wins, and his retirement certainly marks the end of an era for the sport of tennis. After the match, Federer was honored on the court by both the fellow members of Team Europe and the opposing team.
Here were the best photos from the emotional evening.
Sep 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Roger Federer (SUI) and Rafael Nadal (ESP) change ends while…Sep 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Roger Federer (SUI) and doubles partner Rafael Nadal (ESP) react…Sep 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Roger Federer fans hold up a flag during the Laver…Sep 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Team Europe players, Roger Federer (SUI), Rafael Nadal (ESP) and…Sep 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Roger Federer (SUI) arrives on court for the evening session…Sep 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Roger Federer fans in attendance during the Laver Cup. Mandatory…Switzerland's Roger Federer (L) gestures to Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) of Team Europe playing against USA's…LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe talk during the…Sep 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Roger Federer (SUI) and doubles partner Rafael Nadal (ESP) react…LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer of Team Europe plays a backhand shot during the…LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe react during the…LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer of Team Europe looks on during the doubles match…LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer of Team Europe plays a backhand shot during the…Switzerland's Roger Federer (L) embraces Spain's Rafael Nadal of Team Europe after their doubles match in…Team Europe's Roger Federer playing with Rafael Nadal reacts after winning a point during their Laver…LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe acknowledge the crowd…Switzerland's Roger Federer (2nd R) speaks with Serbia's Novak Djokovic (2nd L) after playing his final…Switzerland's Roger Federer sheds a tear during an interview after playing his final match, a doubles…Switzerland's Roger Federer reacts after playing his final game a doubles with Spain's Rafael Nadal of…Switzerland's Roger Federer (C) is applauded by teammates after playing his final game a doubles with…Switzerland's Roger Federer (4th R) joins teammates after playing his final game a doubles with Spain's…
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
