Roger Federer’s trophy-laden career came to an end on Friday, but the Swiss maestro headed into retirement with tears in his eyes and cries in his ears. Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer returned to the court after a year off to face Rafa Nadal, the Spaniard with whom he has one of sports’ most intriguing rivalries, in front of a sellout crowd of 17,500 at London’s O2 Arena.
Roger Federer’s magnificent career ends
Federer had a chance to win the Laver Cup doubles match at midnight when he served at match point in a tense final tiebreak, but the American combo of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe snatched the victory. Team World won the match 4-6, 7-6, 11-9 thanks to Sock’s winning forehand smash.
Following a moment of stunned silence, the sold-out arena rose to its feet to celebrate Federer, 41, whose grace, charisma, and sportsmanship have elevated tennis and transcended the realm of ordinary athletic competition throughout the course of his 24-year career.
Federer prevailed in a tough contest by displaying his usual skill and poise. The floodgates erupted and the tears flowed when Ellie Goulding performed and a highlight reel of Federer’s career was shown on the black court.
His wife Mirka, children Leo, Lenny, Myla, and Charlene, as well as his parents Lynette and Robert, surrounded him in a bear hug. While Murray is a national icon with to his two Wimbledon triumphs, the night belonged to Federer, who ranks alongside Pele, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali.
