An era came to an end with Swiss professional tennis player Roger Federer bidding goodbye to the game after having an illustrious career in which he won 103 ATP singles titles including 20 grand slam titles, eight men’s singles Wimbledon titles which is a record and many other titles.
Roger Federer is among the Big Three (other two – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic) who have dominated the men’s tennis for years. He was given an emotional farewell today at the Laver Cup after he lost the doubles event against Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe but what made this doubles match more special was that Roger chose his arch-rival Rafael Nadal as his partner in his final match.
I’ve done this thousands of times, but this one feels different. Thank you to everybody who’s coming tonight. pic.twitter.com/lmPWTNzjbn
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 23, 2022
It was very tough for everybody to believe that Roger Federer is taking retirement and everyone from spectators to fans and even Roger’s competitors were in tears when he was giving his speech. Roger states that it has been a wonderful day and he is happy. He further said that he even enjoyed tying his shoes one more time as everything was happening for the last time.
Legend. @rogerfederer | #RForever | @LaverCup | #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/TEkxmUvltA
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 23, 2022
Rafael Nadal who was also crying the whole time states that an important part of his life is leaving as Roger is leaving tour because whether he was next to him or front of him, he is an important part of his memories. Despite being rivals on court, they both have been great friends off-the-court and while they were playing the doubles event, the crowd was cheering for them by shouting “Fedal” as they are jointly nicknamed.
Nadal further says that personal relationships get better on a daily basis, adding that they both think in a similar manner and also approach the life in similar style but on the court, they both have different styles which make their matches and rivalry more interesting and one of the biggest. He also expressed his happiness over the fact that they ended as friends after sharing rivalry for so many years on the court.
Meanwhile, the video clip of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal sitting beside each other crying profusely has gone viral:
How are we getting over this? @rogerfederer | @RafaelNadal | #RForever pic.twitter.com/cpOfSznp4X
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 24, 2022
Click to watch this video directly on Twitter
The Indian cricketer Virat Kohli also paid tribute to Roger Federer and his rivalry with Rafael Nadal as he tweeted, “Who thought rivals can feel like this towards each other. That’s the beauty of sport. This is the most beautiful sporting picture ever for me. When your companions cry for you, you know why you’ve been able to do with your God given talent. Nothing but respect for these 2.”
Who thought rivals can feel like this towards each other. That’s the beauty of sport. This is the most beautiful sporting picture ever for me🙌❤️🫶🏼. When your companions cry for you, you know why you’ve been able to do with your god given talent.Nothing but respect for these 2. pic.twitter.com/X2VRbaP0A0
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 24, 2022
This is how fans reacted to the emotional moment:
#1
all of us rn pic.twitter.com/QLyEpxxtWW
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 23, 2022
#2
Biggest rivals, best mates 🥹 #Fedal pic.twitter.com/CZcEkGVrXA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) September 24, 2022
#3
How long have we been watching Roger, and this is the first time we have not seen him fully composed. He may be the classiest man in sport
— scott (@mingas13) September 24, 2022
#4
This is not a rivalry. This is something no sport has ever seen between its top two competitors. #ThankYouRoger #Fedal pic.twitter.com/57O5mUZIgd
— Arpit (@rafasbodyguard) September 24, 2022
#5
https://twitter.com/DuraibiM/status/1573479505418657810
#6
The end of an era, one of the best rivalries and friendships in mens tennis! You will be sadly missed Roger. So happy that you chose Rafa to be your partner for your very last professional match! Such an emotional moment!
— sandra (@sandra43350863) September 24, 2022
#7
Your greatest rival is crying with you! Speaks up the magnitude of his legendary career! 🥲#LaverCup2022 #Fedal #Federer #Nadal pic.twitter.com/Op0QGNR9hT
— Mahfuz Salekin (@MahfuzSalekin) September 23, 2022
#8
I have been watching Roger since I was a kid and it was a pleasure cheering for him all of these years. It’s really a tough moment for me as a fan to say Goodbye to himafter all of these years!You’re forever will be the King of Tennis. This the last match I’ll ever watch Bye king
— Mohammed AlAli (@mohaammed18) September 24, 2022
#9
End of an Era❤️.
A sport where ALMOST ALL OPPONENTS ARE CRYING and bidding farewell??? #RogerFederer𓃵 #Fedal
We know you're the #GOAT𓃵 when your greatest rival cries more than you during your farewell. 😔#Nadal #Novak
The toughest goodbye❤️ #federer #ThankYouRoger pic.twitter.com/A9SPrEO7ZN— Srisaiganesh (@Srisaiganesh82) September 24, 2022
#10
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 respect and friendship forever 🙏🏻thanks to @rogerfederer and @RafaelNadal for this unforgettable night 🥹 pic.twitter.com/xaSWGbl7rV
— desperate (@desperate_ob) September 24, 2022
#11
Rafael Nadal is every Tennis fan right now watching Roger Federer retiring from Tennis!
Thank you for changing tennis forever, Federer! The World will miss #Fedal #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/jT9ODbczrA— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) September 23, 2022
#12
https://twitter.com/GamerIdentity1/status/1573462583415275538
#13
https://twitter.com/GuptaRij/status/1573463934577016832
#14
#LaverCup I'm in PAIN.
THESE TWO #Fedal #fedalfor #RogerFederer #RForever #Nadal pic.twitter.com/po11e4D5LO— Marina 🧚🏻♀️👸🏻 (@Marina_G3) September 23, 2022
Sometimes you don’t have words for expressing yourself and this is one of those moments!
