Roger Federer played for the last time in his career at the 2022 Laver Cup. He played doubles with Rafael Nadal for Team Europe in his last match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock but lost the match.
In the post-match interview session, an emotional Rafael Nadal on bidding adieu to his biggest on-court rival said that a part of him was leaving as the Swiss retired.
Nadal was seen sitting beside Federer and crying as Federer bid an emotional goodbye to tennis.
🇨🇭🇪🇸 Roger Federer said Rafael Nadal was the FIRST person he told about his retirement, after informing his family and team about the decision.
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) August 19, 2023
When asked if he would play doubles in Roger’s last ever match, Rafa (who was recovering from an abdominal tear he picked up 2 weeks… pic.twitter.com/JxY3gxtNR6
“For me, it has been a huge honor to be a part of this amazing moment of the history of our sport. When Roger leaves the tour, yeah, an important part of my life is leaving too because all the moments he has been next or in front of me in important moments of my life. So, has been emotional seeing the family, see all the people.”
– Rafael Nadal in the post match interview
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have faced each other 40 times in their career and Rafael Nadal leads the record 24-16. It is one of the biggest rivalries across any sport. But, the relationship they share off the court is opposite to their on-court rivalry which lasted for more than 20 years.
The duo are jointly nicknamed “Fedal”. Though Nadal has a better head-to-head record he has always been in awe of Federer’s game and personality. Rafael Nadal has praised and complimented Roger Federer on several occasions.
“I thought it was my wife until this guy showed up” Roger Federer named Rafael Nadal as his ‘best doubles partner’
The 2023 Laver Cup marked one year since Roger Federer’s retirement last year.
Federer was involved in an on-court question and answer session when Rafael Nadal suddenly came up on the giant screen and asked him a question.
It was the first day of the 2023 Laver Cup in Vancouver, and these long-time rivals were engaged in an exchange of humor during Federer’s on-court Q&A session.
“Who has been your favourite doubles partner?”
– Rafael Nadal to Roger Federer
Federer was confused for a while but came up with a brilliant answer.
“I mean….I thought it was my wife until this guy showed up…..Rafa can have it.”
– Roger Federer
Federer and Nadal paired to play doubles in the last match of the Swiss’s career. They lost the match to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
Never forget 😉
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2023
Reflections of Fedal at #LaverCup.@rogerfederer | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/pqyxyeJABU
