Roger Federer promised his followers that they had not seen the final of him after bringing the curtain down on his glittering profession, saying he would see them on a “different type of tennis court” in future.
The Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion and Rafael Nadal misplaced their Laver Cup doubles match 4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9 to Team World’s Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
The defeat for Europe left the 2 groups locked at two factors apiece after the primary day of the Ryder Cup-style occasion at London’s O2 Arena.
But the match itself was finally a sideshow on an emotional event for the 41-year-old, who made a prolonged and tearful deal with to the group, his rivals and household afterwards.
“This is not the end-end, you know, life goes on,” he instructed a post-match press convention within the early hours of Saturday, having recovered the poise that was the hallmark of his profession.
“I’m healthy, I’m happy, everything’s great.
“The message from me was just making sure I relay my passion for the sport to the fans, and I let them know that hopefully we’ll see each other again on a different type of tennis court somewhere around the world,” he added.
“I have no plans whatsoever, where, how, when. All I know, I would love to go and play places I have never played before or go say thank yous for years to come to all the people that have been so supportive of me.”
Federer, who had not performed tennis competitively since Wimbledon in 2021 on account of a knee harm, stated at instances in the course of the build-up to the match, which began late on Friday, he had been “horribly nervous”.
“The last two days have been tough, you know, to say the least,” he stated. “Thankfully in moments I totally forgot about it, slept great, everything was wonderful, I could enjoy it, I feel.
“And because of that I think I will be able to have a better recollection of how it went, because if it’s all just stress throughout and I want it to be only perfect, I know I will remember half of it.”
‘Super-emotional’
Nadal additionally admitted it had been a tricky day, with a “super-emotional” ending.
“For me it has been a huge honour to be a part of this amazing moment of the history of our sport, and at the same time a lot of years sharing a lot of things together,” he stated.
“When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too.”
Federer and Nadal, who’ve gained 42 Grand Slam singles titles between them, spoke warmly of their friendship regardless that they’ve been fierce rivals for almost 20 years.
“It’s been great,” stated the Swiss. “I think we enjoy each other’s company, and we have so much to look back on, but also just enjoy spending time together.
“We have a million topics to cover. I always feel like any evening we ever spend together we never have enough time.”
Nadal, 36, stated his relationship with Federer had been a “super-long and positive journey”.
“For me (Federer) was always the guy to beat,” stated the Spaniard. “So at some point we were probably the biggest rivals – I think always in a very good way.
“We respect a lot each other, families, teams. I mean, we never had big issues… I mean, when we were getting older, I think every year the personal relationship gets better and better.”
“Very proud to be part of his career in some way,” he added. “But even for me happier to finish our career like friends after everything we shared on court like rivals.”
(With AFP inputs)
Here are a number of the reactions on Twitter:
Thank you for uplifting us to at all times be higher.
Tennis goes to overlook you, Roger. ?#RForever | @rogerfederer | #TennisUnited | @WTA pic.twitter.com/TJO3ail5ef
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 23, 2022
Damn you Roger … shall be strolling round with swollen eyes for the entire weekend . ?
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) September 23, 2022
This second wouldn’t have been doable if Roger didn’t give me the chance to dream. I owe this second to him!
Love you with all my coronary heart ❤️ https://t.co/QCv9aaCiqh
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) September 24, 2022
Will miss watching @rogerfederer play-what an unbelievable particular person to rejoice. Our son Brandon Holt met Roger-terrific position mannequin of kindness and sophistication. ???#inspiration pic.twitter.com/EWCWBwwTFr
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) September 24, 2022
?? #Federer
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) September 23, 2022
No phrases… solely feelings…????
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) September 23, 2022
Crying over again https://t.co/RXiolipIq8
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) September 24, 2022
With @rogerfederer’s final match tonight with @RafaelNadal by his facet, an period involves an finish.
These two are opponents, mates, and true champions in sport and in life.
Roger’s journey continues. #LaverCup https://t.co/WjmbOkD3fz
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 24, 2022
Wasn’t certain if I used to be gonna cry tonight or not….. I positively cried… lots
— Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) September 24, 2022
What a photograph! Tennis is the best….they battled one another so many instances and with a lot on the road, at all times and but, this, that is how they completed..I’m so blissful to have witnessed this rivalry and friendship. Thank You @rogerfederer for being so superb. @RafaelNadal ? https://t.co/lqyhV1HTLL
— Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) September 24, 2022
tonight was about Roger, however the picture of Rafa with tears in his eyes for his good friend shall be one thing I always remember
— Alison Riske-Amritraj???? (@Riske4rewards) September 24, 2022
I don’t care who finally ends up with the Grand Slam document… @rogerfederer is my GOAT ???
— Christopher Eubanks (@chris_eubanks96) September 23, 2022
?? legend @rogerfederer #RForever
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) September 23, 2022
— paire benoit (@benoitpaire) September 23, 2022
What an emotional night time! One and solely @rogerfederer ! ??
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 23, 2022
Can’t cope with this ? https://t.co/FGK7hXU11B
— Jessie Pegula (@JLPegula) September 24, 2022
?❤️? @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal #RForever https://t.co/AmCLKIZcCi
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) September 24, 2022
? THANK YOU ? pic.twitter.com/K7RWUaj320
— Juan Sebastian Cabal (@juanscabal) September 24, 2022
Beautiful to observe till the final match. What a strategy to end a profession. Thank you @rogerfederer ❤️
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) September 23, 2022
? #ThankYouRoger https://t.co/dopYz8Szy9
— Nadia Podoroska (@nadiapodoroska) September 24, 2022
Humble in victory, gracious in defeat. Even within the hardest moments, at all times searching for others, his teammates, opponents, followers, household. The epitome of sophistication. You shall be so very missed @rogerfederer ??
— Marin Cilic (@cilic_marin) September 24, 2022
Also learn:
Roger Federer retires: Federer-Nadal go down in thriller, Swiss nice bows out in emotional farewell
Watch: Roger Federer’s farewell interview – ‘I’d do it over again,’ ‘Mirka kept me going’
Growing up with Roger Federer
Thank you Roger Federer, for a tennis expertise to final a lifetime
Audio and full textual content: Roger Federer pronounces retirement – ‘It’s been an unbelievable journey’
Reactions as Roger Federer pronounces retirement – ‘Tennis world will never be the same without you’
