The 20-time Grand Slam champion, due to a knee injury, has not played since the quarterfinals of Wimbledon 2021 and last week announced his retirement at the age of 41.
But he will make one final appearance for Team Europe at the Laver Cup, joining Nadal in a dream pairing with Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World at the O2 arena.
Tomorrow night. My last match. Double with @RafaelNadal ❤️ https://t.co/7yPwmtvTiJ
– Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) 1663847225000
The Swiss great has enjoyed a longstanding rivalry with the Spaniard for almost two decades and together they have won 42 Grand Slam singles titles in the golden era for men’s content.
The pair have played 40 times, including in nine Grand Slam finals, with Nadal holding a 24-16 win record, but this time they will be on the same side of the net in the Ryder Cup-style event.
The European Group of Six also includes Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – the remaining two members of the so-called “Big Four” – in a climax befitting Federer’s career.
Italian Matteo Berrettini will replace Federer for the final two days of the three-day tournament.
went to dinner with some friends @RafaelNadal @andy_murray @DjokerNole https://t.co/2oYR3hnGaZ
– Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) 1663872337000
“Of course, it’s special to play with Rafa,” Federer said at a crowded news conference on Thursday. “Feels really different, you know.
“Also just stepping on the pitch and having the opportunity to play with people like Rafa or Novak in the past is also a great experience for me.
“So to be able to do it again, I’m sure it’ll be awesome. I’ll do my best. I hope to be good at it, and of course I’ll enjoy it. But it will be difficult.”
Nadal, who first played Federer on the ATP Tour in 2004, said he was looking forward to a “forgettable” match alongside the Swiss.
just a quick warm-up before the gala https://t.co/U4udl8hKV4
– Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) 1663870128000
“After all the wonderful things we’ve shared together on and off the field, to be a part of this historic moment will be something wonderful, unforgettable for me,” said the man. 36-year-old tennis player, who has won a record 22 Grand Slam singles titles said. in men tennis.
Team World captain John McEnroe said Federer’s retirement will leave “a void that will never be filled”.
“This is unbelievable what he and two others (Djokovic and Nadal) have done,” he said. “He doesn’t need my advice. He’s in a great position. He’s an absolutely classy actor.
“We all know that. He loves the sport. That’s part of why he’s won so much, in my book. He loves it. I hope that.” he and I believe he will be with it in some way, shape, or form.”
Get a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be on the same field as these legends and opponents. Thanks to @LaverCup for creating… https://t.co/JMM5c79HQ0
– Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) 1663862136000
The great Pete Sampras of the United States, whose record 14 Grand Slam singles titles were surpassed by Federer in 2009, paid homage to the Swiss, remembering their only meeting that year. 2001.
“We had a great fight on Center Court at Wimbledon and you knocked me out in a tough five-set and I just remember walking off the court feeling like I’ve met the match. mine,” he said in a video posted on social media. .
“Truly an exceptional player. I didn’t know 20 years later you’d have 20 majors, be number one for many years, dominate our sport, basically do it all.”
From one game legend to another 🤝 @rogerfederer | #RForever https://t.co/j36ugRxF2x
– ATP Tour (@atptour) 1663859378000
Norway’s Casper Ruud faces Sock in the first match of the Laver Cup on Friday before Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas meets Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in the second singles match.
Murray, making his Laver Cup debut, will play Australia’s Alex de Minaur at the start of the session the night before Federer and Nadal hit the court.
