Roger Federer’s last match is doubles loss with Rafael Nadal

In entrance of a 17,500 sell-out crowd on the O2 Area in London, Federer returned for the ultimate match of his profession.

Roger Federer waves at followers on the finish of his final match on the Laver Cup, 02 Area, London, UK, on September 24, 2022 [Dylan Martinez/Reuters]

Roger Federer wrapped up his superlative skilled tennis profession at age 41 with a loss in doubles alongside longtime rival Rafael Nadal on the Laver Cup.

Federer, who gained 20 Grand Slam titles, and Nadal, whose 22 are the boys’s report, paired up for Group Europe and have been crushed on Friday night time by Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Group World 4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9 on the O2 Area in London.

In entrance of a 17,500 sell-out crowd on the O2, Federer returned from greater than a yr away for a final dance in tandem along with his nice rival on a gripping and memorable finale by the Thames.

Till Friday, he had not competed wherever since a quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon in July 2021. Shortly after that, the Swiss star had a 3rd operation on his proper knee.

It was poetic that Federer would shut issues out by sharing a courtroom with Nadal, who was usually an on-court nemesis however turned an off-court good friend.

Group Europe’s Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer throughout their doubles match towards Group World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe on September 23, 2022 [Dylan Martinez/Reuters]

With the clock already properly previous midnight (23:00 GMT), Federer had the prospect to seal victory within the doubles conflict when he served at match level in a tense deciding tiebreak but it surely was to not be as People Sock and Tiafoe ruined the script.

Sock thumped a forehand winner to seal a 4-6 7-6 11-9 win for Group World.

After a quick second of just about silence across the packed area, the group erupted to salute an emotional Federer.

Even Federer’s follow periods on the O2 have been standing room solely affairs and an electrical ambiance greeted him as he walked out into the cavernous area alongside Nadal simply after 10pm native time (21:00 GMT) for what could be his final dance.

“I’ve completed this 1000's of instances, however this one feels completely different. Thanks to all people who’s coming tonight,” Federer had posted on Twitter earlier within the day.

I’ve completed this 1000's of instances, however this one feels completely different. Thanks to all people who’s coming tonight. pic.twitter.com/lmPWTNzjbn

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 23, 2022

Earlier than Federer, the boys’s mark for many main tennis championships was 14 by Pete Sampras. Federer blew previous that, accumulating eight at Wimbledon, six on the Australian Open, 5 on the US Open and one on the French Open.

His substantial resume consists of 103 profession singles trophies in all, 310 weeks at primary within the ATP rankings, a Davis Cup title and Olympic medals.

Past his magnificence and effectiveness on courtroom, Federer was seen as a statesman for tennis, somebody whose immense reputation helped drive followers to the game.