Tennis icon Roger Federer ended his illustrious career on September 24 with a doubles match in the Laver Cup in which he paired up with his great rival Rafael Nadal. Check out poignant moments from his emotional farewell. (Photos | AP)
Tennis icon Roger Federer ended his illustrious career on September 24 with a doubles match in the Laver Cup in which he paired up with his great rival Rafael Nadal. Check out poignant moments from his emotional farewell. (Photos | AP)
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IN PHOTOS | A tearful farewell: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal weep after playing last match together

Tennis icon Roger Federer ended his illustrious career on September 24 with a doubles match in the Laver Cup in which he paired up with his great rival Rafael Nadal. Check out poignant moments from his emotional farewell.
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Holding hands and crying together, while sitting next to each other, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the two biggest sporting icons, unknowingly, produced yet another unforgettable moment that will be recorded for posterity. (Photo | AFP)
Holding hands and crying together, while sitting next to each other, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the two biggest sporting icons, unknowingly, produced yet another unforgettable moment that will be recorded for posterity. (Photo | AFP)
Nadal could be seen trying to keep his emotions in check as he sat alongside Federer after their loss in the doubles to the American pair. 'Who thought rivals can feel like this towards each other. That's the beauty of sport,' said Indian cricketing icon Kohli who tweeted the picture of the two. (Photo | AP)
Nadal could be seen trying to keep his emotions in check as he sat alongside Federer after their loss in the doubles to the American pair. 'Who thought rivals can feel like this towards each other. That's the beauty of sport,' said Indian cricketing icon Kohli who tweeted the picture of the two. (Photo | AP)
Tears trickle down Switzerland's Roger Federer after he played his final match, a doubles with Spain's Rafael Nadal of Team Europe against USA's Jack Sock and USA's Frances Tiafoe of Team World in the 2022 Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London, early on September 24, 2022. (Photo | AP)
Tears trickle down Switzerland's Roger Federer after he played his final match, a doubles with Spain's Rafael Nadal of Team Europe against USA's Jack Sock and USA's Frances Tiafoe of Team World in the 2022 Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London, early on September 24, 2022. (Photo | AP)
There was no inhibition, no shame as Federer sobbed loudly. A simply overwhelming and human moment. (Photo | AFP)
There was no inhibition, no shame as Federer sobbed loudly. A simply overwhelming and human moment. (Photo | AFP)
Roger Federer wrapped up his days as a professional player with a loss in doubles alongside his longtime rival Rafael Nadal for Team Europe in the Laver Cup against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World. (Photo | AP)
Roger Federer wrapped up his days as a professional player with a loss in doubles alongside his longtime rival Rafael Nadal for Team Europe in the Laver Cup against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World. (Photo | AP)
When the match, and with it his time in professionl tennis, ended, Federer hugged Nadal, then Tiafoe and Sock. And then Federer began crying as he went to greet the other members of Team Europe. (Photo | AP)
When the match, and with it his time in professionl tennis, ended, Federer hugged Nadal, then Tiafoe and Sock. And then Federer began crying as he went to greet the other members of Team Europe. (Photo | AP)
Federer's last tennis match lasted more than two hours and ended at about 12:30 am Friday night. The Laver Cup, which is in its fifth edition, was founded by Federer's management company and uses a format quite different from a standard tournament. (Photo | AP)
Federer's last tennis match lasted more than two hours and ended at about 12:30 am Friday night. The Laver Cup, which is in its fifth edition, was founded by Federer's management company and uses a format quite different from a standard tournament. (Photo | AP)
It was poetic that Federer would close things out by sharing a court with Nadal, who was often an on-court nemesis but became an off-court friend. (Photo | AP)
It was poetic that Federer would close things out by sharing a court with Nadal, who was often an on-court nemesis but became an off-court friend. (Photo | AP)
As cascades of clapping and yells of affection came from the stands, Federer put his hands on his hips, his chest heaving. Then he mouthed, 'Thank you'. He said in his farewell address: 'It does feel like a celebration to me. I wanted to feel like this at the end, and it's exactly what I hoped for, so thank you.' (Photo | AP)
As cascades of clapping and yells of affection came from the stands, Federer put his hands on his hips, his chest heaving. Then he mouthed, 'Thank you'. He said in his farewell address: 'It does feel like a celebration to me. I wanted to feel like this at the end, and it's exactly what I hoped for, so thank you.' (Photo | AP)
There was not a single eye that wasn't moist at the O2 Arena in London, the place where Federer bid a tearful adieu to the game during the Laver Cup. (Photo | AP)
There was not a single eye that wasn't moist at the O2 Arena in London, the place where Federer bid a tearful adieu to the game during the Laver Cup. (Photo | AP)
More than the numbers, folks will remember that powerful forehand, one-handed backhand and flawless footwork, a spectacularly effective serve and eagerness to get to the net, a willingness to reinvent aspects of his game and — the part he's proudest of — unusual longevity. Then, too, there is his persona away from the court. (Photo | AP)
More than the numbers, folks will remember that powerful forehand, one-handed backhand and flawless footwork, a spectacularly effective serve and eagerness to get to the net, a willingness to reinvent aspects of his game and — the part he's proudest of — unusual longevity. Then, too, there is his persona away from the court. (Photo | AP)
Team Europe's Novak Djokovic, right, listens to Roger Federer during a match against Team World's Frances Tiafoe. (Photo | AP)
Team Europe's Novak Djokovic, right, listens to Roger Federer during a match against Team World's Frances Tiafoe. (Photo | AP)
Beyond his elegance and effectiveness on court, Federer was seen as a statesman for tennis, someone whose immense popularity helped drive fans to the sport. (Photo | AP)
Beyond his elegance and effectiveness on court, Federer was seen as a statesman for tennis, someone whose immense popularity helped drive fans to the sport. (Photo | AP)
Federer, who was joined on court by his parents, wife Mirka and their four children (pictured here), said: 'My wife's been so supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago, but she didn't. She kept me going and allowed me to play. It's amazing. Thank you.' (Photo | AP)
Federer, who was joined on court by his parents, wife Mirka and their four children (pictured here), said: 'My wife's been so supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago, but she didn't. She kept me going and allowed me to play. It's amazing. Thank you.' (Photo | AP)
Federer's surgically repaired right knee -- the last of three operations came shortly after a loss in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in July 2021, which will go down as his final official singles match -- is in no shape to allow him to continue. Federer, 41, who has not played since the 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinals, had announced on September 15 that he would retire from Grand Slams and the ATP Tour after the Laver Cup. His superlative career included 20 Grand Slam titles and a statesman's role. (Photo | AP)
Federer's surgically repaired right knee -- the last of three operations came shortly after a loss in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in July 2021, which will go down as his final official singles match -- is in no shape to allow him to continue. Federer, 41, who has not played since the 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinals, had announced on September 15 that he would retire from Grand Slams and the ATP Tour after the Laver Cup. His superlative career included 20 Grand Slam titles and a statesman's role. (Photo | AP)
'It's been a perfect journey,' Federer, one of the most revered sportspersons in the modern era, said. 'I would do it all over again,' in his farewell address. Adieu, great! (Photo | AP)
'It's been a perfect journey,' Federer, one of the most revered sportspersons in the modern era, said. 'I would do it all over again,' in his farewell address. Adieu, great! (Photo | AP)
tennis
Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer
Roger Federer retirement
Laver Cup

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